Assalamu Alaykum,
I voluntarily run a girls youth club Northwest London and was wondering whether you could send me hard copies of your magazine on a regular basis - would it be possible to be sent all past issues too? I think the magazine is brilliant and really hits the nail on the head with key issues. Also, how do I get my youth involved with your magazine? I look forward to hearing from you.
Ma’Salaama
Mrs Kosser Sheikh, London
Salaam
I really enjoyed reading the magazine - especially the story of the ex-rapper who found Islam - I think it is very inspiring. That is one of the reasons why I wanted to distribute copies to my local shop where a lot of our young Asian youth hang around. Having spoken to them I got positive feedback on The Revival magazine with them telling me they enjoyed reading it too.
I also leave some at work in the prayer room and distribute some to my neighbours. Jakakallah and please keep up the good work.
Saima Rehman
Bradford
Assalamolaikum,
I have just been through the magazine and I can honestly say this issue is even better than the last one I read. I’m really excited for this magazine and I know my friends would love it just as much as I did. I loved the articles on Napoleon and Salahuddin Ayubi (ra), there were many things I learned from the magazine that I didn’t know before.
However, the part about the mosques and Imams made me a little sad - a lot of the youth seemed to have a very poor perception of a mosque and didn’t find them or the Imams approachable. This is also quite confusing, as the mosque at my university is anything but unapproachable.
Aini Lee, Newcastle
Asalamu alaikum
I hope this email finds you in the best of health - I am pleased to see Muslims working for Allah’s sake to further His deen. In that spirit I would like to provide some naseeha regarding some issues I’ve noticed in your Article: Thank God I’m a British Muslim: The author whilst considering the benefits and harms of living in the UK, has made some errors in his article.
The first is the conceptual confusion from the title of the article. National identities emerged with European political philosophies concerning the nation state. They cover notions of a territorially fixed nation state, something alien to the notion of homeland for Muslims, that ranges from Morocco to Indonesia.
Notions of a common culture and religion incorporating symbols such as the pub, casual relationships, union jack, literary writers like Shakespeare, heroes like Churchill conflict with Muslims notions of the Prophet’s flag being white with shahada in black, authors like Bukhari, Abu Hanifa, Ghazali, Ibn Sina and heroes like Umar ibn al-Khattab, Tariq bin Ziyad and Salahuddin who are seen as heroes as far as Indonesia. Notions of common collective memories include those of the Roman period, medieval period, the Enlightenment and world war I/II; whilst for us they evoke the seerah, the khulafah rashida, Umar bin Abdul Aziz, the Abbassid golden era and the Ottoman Caliphs like Suleiman al-Qanooni and Abdul Hamid. A number of contemporary scholars and researchers like Dilwar Hussain have written on the above which no doubt you can explore.
As such there is no conflict stating we are Muslims in Britain, but it is worrying one believes and advocates British Muslims as the two terms conflict as would the terms Secular Muslims or Christian Muslims.
I hope you can consider and pass the advice on to the author and maybe make space in future editions to discuss and explore some of these issues in the down to earth style you use.
Jazakhallah
Zahid Sharif, Derby
Salaams,
I like your magazine and I think this magazine can actually help me with my lifestyle. I really want to develop a Muslim character in me. It would be great to receive every issue by post to my house... thanks!
In the forthcoming issues can u please talk about the issue of “Lowering your gaze”? It would be great if you could do an article that could help us lower our gaze and it would be nice if you could also relate it to the pleasures of paradise.
JazakAllah
Naveed Jibril, London
If you have any comments or suggestions or you just disagree with any opinions or analysis expressed in The Revival please send your email to editor@therevival.co.uk