Dalia Mogahed in London, Talking Public Opinion

By Uzma Nazir

March 29, 2010

The Coexistence Trust, in partnership with Islamic Circles, organized an evening full of inspiration with Sister Dalia Mogahed at the House of Commons in London last week. As the Executive Director of the Center of Muslim studies at Gallup USA, Mogahed has been working and travelling extensively to study public opinion about Muslim communities. She is also a member of The White House Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood partnership.

At the event, Mogahed highlighted issues concerning Muslims, particularly the social concerns of Muslims in the West. An interesting fact revealed by Sister Dalia was that globally, Muslims have more political rather than cultural concerns. Additionally, she mentioned that the access to vast opportunities in spheres of education and development in the West is admired by those who are living in less privileged surroundings.

The discussion also focused on the mediums that are playing the powerful part in developing the image of Muslims today. It is always sad to note that the most powerful ones, the electronic and print media, are dominated by small groups of exstremists, rather than the general Muslim community.

Emphasis was also placed on encouraging educated people to step forward and play their role, however big or small it may be, to counter such images and tell the world what is the actual essence of Islam.

The evening finished with a positive note: the belief that we have to get together to make the world understand our religion as a complete code of life, and that its followers are human beings willing to live and let others live a peaceful and productive life.

It was a real inspiring evening with sister Dalia. She is the personification of strong conviction and determination, yet a clearly a humble and gentle person. We look forward to more of her great work with Muslim communities, in the US and abroad.

Photo courtesy of LinkTV