Editorial

Know your role
Understand your role
Play your role.

Under the leadership of MAS San Francisco Bay Area, all four California chapters of the Muslim American Society (MAS) conducted a weeklong camp entitled “Tarbiyah and Ilm.” The camp took place in near Santa Barbara, CA. Though the camp lasted only a week from December 24th to the 31st, it will last the lifetime in the hearts of all who attended.

The camp attendees were predominantly college-age youth from California and Arizona, and were comprised of approximately 50 brothers and 40 sisters. The camp combined educational workshops and team-building and sports activities. Each day started with a Qiyyam before Fajr Prayers followed by a full day of three lectures and three activities. Every day was concluded with a special themed night activity.

The four main lecture series of the camp were:

Surat Al-Muzammil
The Methodology of the Prophet
Ikhtilaf (Differences and Disagreements in Islam)
Until They Change Themselves

Surat Al-Muzammil contains great lessons for all Muslims, but especially those involved in Islamic work. When Allah (swt) required the prophet to stand up in night prayers, He did so to enable the Prophet (saws) and his companions (ra) to draw spiritual strength from the prayer in order to better connect with Allah (swt) and to better perform their Islamic Dawah. Imam Abdel Azeez of Sacramento and Sheikh Taha Hassane of MAS, San Diego delivered this four-part series.

In the life of the Prophet (saws) and his seerah is a great example for all Muslims to learn how to conduct Islamic Dawah activities. Dr. Imad Bayoun, of MAS – LA, delivered these lectures in the camp, which concentrated on the characteristics of the Dawah of the Prophet (saws), including establishing strong aqeedah in the beginning of the work, being firm on changes in aqeedah but gradual in matters of behavior, and benefiting from aspects of the jahaliyyah system so long as they did not contradict Islam.

The issue of ikhtilaf was covered over three different lectures. The attendees learned that ikhtilaf (differences and disagreement in Islam) was normal during the time of the Prophet (saws) and afterwards among his companions and the scholars, though their goal remained unified.

One of the most important topics was “Until They Change Themselves.” Everybody is responsible for his/her own condition first and foremost. The condition of the Muslim ummah and the society around us will not improve until each one of us individually makes a commitment to change and improve. Br. Munir Qtaish (MAS – Bay Area) talked about the importance of making this change and the practical steps necessary to take up this responsibility. Sr. Bhawana Kamil (MAS – Bay Area) spoke about the importance of specialization and developing one’s talents. Br. Feras Alhlou (MAS – Bay Area) gave a motivational jumu’ah khutbah about the importance of time, followed by a lectures about how we can ‘keep the fire lit’ after the camp.

Teamwork and discipline were major components of the camp. Teams had to gather, eat, sleep, and work on projects together. If one member of the team was late or not in the right place, he or she caused the entire team to lag behind. Various team-building exercises took place throughout the week. As part of the program, teams also had to analyze cases and present solutions on topics related to problems that arise when being part of collective Islamic work.

The last night of the camp included an entertainment session where campers displayed their talents through poetry, skits, song, and jokes. Everybody enjoyed laughing and sharing their reflections about the camp.

MAS believes that camps are valuable tools to grow one’s personality and feelings of brotherhood and sisterhood among Muslims. This belief, combined with the extraordinary feedback of the attendees, inspired us to continue such camps in the future, inshaAllah.