#MyJihad is to continue to fry the smaller fish. Because it’s working.

As a Board Member of the #MyJihad Public Education Campaign, I openly welcome criticism, critiques and suggestions.  This is a collective effort that belongs to the world.  I welcome dialogue entered in good faith.  At this point, the campaign is well in full swing; we’ve encountered the good, the bad and the ugly as far as feedback.  And if I must say so myself, I have gotten good at discerning the underlying intentions of criticisms.

Fortunately, there is a lot of support for #MyJihad.  Unfortunately, there are not enough ‘doers.’

(But I and my fellow jihadists remain steadfast and positive- for everything is done by Allah’s will.)

And as many supporters/non-doers that turn up ….  the occasional non-supporters/non-doers show up too.

Like the author of this article:

The Problem with #MyJihad: We Have Bigger Problems

Based on this article, the author, Mr. Sahloul is a Muslim college student.  He writes well and coherently and seems to be a good, big-picture analyst and displays genuine concern for issues plagueing the Muslim world.

The “problem” I have with Mr. Sahloul’s “problem” with #MyJihad is that he has a problem with it at all.

I would have given this article much more respect and credence had he simply framed his opinions about the Muslim world around his studies in International Relations and experience as a Muslim young adult.  (Young adulthood is certainly a time in life when one is energized by the possibilities in life.)  But taking down one of the few, cutting edge Muslim-driven efforts (that HAS made a difference already,) #MyJihad, to get his point across, simply drained his article of all credibility.

Mr. Sahloul has ascertained the efforts and accomplishments of the #MyJihad campaign (without interviewing any of the Board Members or reviewing any progress reports) and has decided that its “effect is marginal.”  Not sure how to quantify an assessment of “marginal,” but I can quantify the numerous universities and church groups that have invited #MyJihad volunteers to speak; the campaign’s presence in world-wide media; viral you-tube videos; and a real, on-the-ground presence trickling around the globe, particularly in Egypt.  In 6 short months, the growth of the #MyJihad campaign has been simply put, mind blowing.

Sahloul proceeds to present an unquantified report of all of the issues seemingly plagueing the Muslim world as his defense of his criticism:

-terrorists use the word “jihad” in a negative manner

-people in Muslim majority countries use the word “jihad” in a negative manner

-young Muslim Americans have an identity crisis (Huh?) because, according to the article, the American government oppresses Muslims in the world.

-online radicalization is a problem. (How much of a problem? There are absolutely no examples to even delve into this topic.)

-Imams are enablers of negatives in the Muslim world from their “rhetoric”

-Mosques and community centers must be more active with youth (I agree!) to prevent radical fringe.  (Again, what percentage of Muslim youth in America are “radicalized?”)

So Mr. Sahloul, I applaud your studies and interest in International Relations; I respect you as a fellow Muslim; and I thank you for mentioning the #MyJihad  campaign in your published article.

But may I inform you of some of the inspirations that drive the volunteers of the #MyJihad campaign?

-Allah (swt) does not judge a person on their accomplishments, but on their intentions.

-“Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand [bytaking action]; if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with his heart [by hating it and feeling that it is wrong] – and that is the weakest of faith” (Narrated by Muslim, 49)

-The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was persecuted for spreading messages of truth, peace and justice; yet he and his companions were steadfast in their mission, big or small.  This is an example for every generation following him.

We live in a time when there is not enough activism.  There is too much complacency.  What little activism that is being done should be supported, not condemned.

You do not critique a cause by providing a laundry list of woes of the world and “worse things” happening.

You do not minimize the efforts and accomplishments of those actively working in the cause of Allah (swt) by pointing out how we really should have conquered the world by now.  (Unless you have a game plan you can present at our next Board meeting, then perhaps you can!)

The misinterpretation of the word jihad is not trivial, as your article suggests.  It is monumental.  Words kill.  And though some see the efforts of the #MyJihad campaign as an uphill battle, others of us see it as our duty and mission and have a “bring it on” attitude.

If you are going to write an article about the percieved woes of the Muslim world, do so.  Better yet, quantify the issues on the laundry list.  Even BETTER … provide possible solutions to the problems you mention.

Your jihad is to fry the bigger fish?

Great.

How?  Who?  When?  What?

While you are battling the bigger fish (or writing about it,) volunteers for the #MyJihad campaign will continue to actively fry small fish which turn into ponds which turn into streams which turn into rivers and lakes and oceans.

Until we conquer the world with truth.

Come join us.  The door is always open.

~Yasmina

About the Author

About the Author: I'm a Writer, Speaker and Muslim Activist. I'm a former Board Member of the #MyJihad Public Education Campaign. Follow my blog at yasminareality.com or follow me on Twitter: @yasmina_reality. I'm also now on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YasminaReality Peace! More from this author.