| The Islamic community boasts of being one united community. Its cornerstone belief is Tawheed (oneness of G-d). Its fundamental principle is the Unity of G-d, and this speaks to the unity of humanity. Yet when you look at the Islamic community over its almost fifteen century history, racism, prejudice, bias, and discrimination have continued to prevail.;I argue that the Islamic community has suffered fragmentation, as a result of this artificial divide. Therefore, the one united community has been more of an ideal than reality.;I contend that really understanding the concept of Tawheed is the true answer---the bridge---as it were---to overcoming this artificial divide, the divide that separates the immigrant Muslim from the African American Muslim.;Because immigrants have come to America with a lot of cultural baggage, pre-conditioned notions, biases, prejudices, etc., I decided to work with young people who had less baggage. Between January 2009 and July 2009, I held weekly classes with six young men and six young women from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Their ages ranged from thirteen to seventeen. I utilized Cognitive Restructuring as my theoretical construct. The idea being if you can change the way a person thinks, you can change their behavior. I taught classes on the three aspects of Tawheed and conveyed its practical importance that should be translated in our everyday lives. I also taught the meaning of Aqeedah, which is the most important belief from which Tawheed originated. I conducted Socratic Seminars, showed DVDs, and had students perform skits, as well as role play. The students had to give oral presentations and write a journal. Emphasis was put on the Hajj (pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca) as the ideal situation demonstrating the oneness of the community. |
