The Blogging Imam’s Weblog

My role as an Imam is as a counsellor to my community and others. People as young as six to as old as 60 (and even older!) come to the mosque or approach me on their own (wherever they feel comfortable) and ask for my advice and guidance in strictest confidence.I’m not an angel; I’m a human being too just like everyone else. Allah (God) has given me this knowledge to teach others and spread his wisdom in order to help people live a peaceful and enjoyable life. And for this I feel that I need to reach out beyond the confines of my mosque and my hometown – and even my country – to as many people as possible.

Allah (God) gave human beings the minds to create technology and the brains and hands to use it. The Internet, WiFi, I-pods and Facebook; they help us in our everyday lives – in our work and in our play – but also they can help us in our worship. I’ve got the whole of the Qur’an on my mobile phone, so I can read it anytime. That’s amazing, isn’t it? It means that I have the words of Allah with me at my fingertips all the time.

These innovations in the modern world are there to help us and support our faith. And we should make the most of them in a positive way, because Allah created them for us.

But we must use these gifts and our time wisely. I wanted to some of my time in creating this Blog to reach out to you. And so I became the Blogging Imam. I hope it will be helpful and benefit you all.

WHY TALK TO ME? 

We all have a lot of questions: what does it mean to be British and Muslim? How should we react to prejudice? How can we understand Islam in its many forms and with it many subtleties? How do we avoid extremism?

There are many young people in our country who feel confused about their faith both on a personal level and within the wider global picture; they might not have ties with their local mosque or feel they cannot talk to their parents who need guidance; there might be young people who are angry at what they’ve seen on the Media or the way they have been treated in their community. Equally, there might be non-Muslims who are curious and want to learn more about what Muslim religious life really means.

I invite Muslims and Non-Muslims alike onto my site to seek advice and educate themselves, guided by the knowledge and experience I have gained in my life as an Imam so far.

Being Muslim seems to be such a big issue in Britain today. What young people need is a channel for feedback and a voice through which to express themselves. I want this webpage to be one of those voices – a new place for Muslims to seek and express their opinions, questions, education and intelligent debate.

You can also come to me to talk about relationships and family problems, especially as this can be hard to discuss at home in some of the stricter and less understanding Muslim families. I think sometimes young people worry that Imams who know their parents through the mosque will break their confidences. If you are really worried my blog offers complete anonymity so you can talk freely and without fear. That’s what’s great about the Internet. You don’t be sacred to ask. Whatever you tell me is 100% confidential.

Whether it’s about faith or personal matters. Talking – with open minds and trying to acknowledge others and not just tolerate them – is the most important thing that we can do.