Muslim Link’s Ali Ahmed recounts lessons learnt from a speech on “Muslim Unity in Canada” delivered by Imam Dr. Hamid Slimi at the 48th Annual Ottawa Muslim Association Dinner on 13th March 2010.

Muslim unity. It is quite a daunting task to address such a large issue even when merely conveying the message of a speech. And given that the speech was by Imam Hamid Slimi –- a scholar specialized in Islamic studies, law and comparative religion; a man who has a dozen years experience as imam, educator and consultant in different arenas and positions -– relaying its content is an even more overwhelming task.

It was the 48th annual Ottawa Muslim Association dinner. Appetizers had been served just before the imam went up to the podium. From amidst the clatter of plates and spoons colliding against each other, I hear the word “sincerity” and I am immediately on track of the speech.

“So we need to be sincere. Remember this word, ‘sincerity’,” he says.

The imam is talking about the need for sincerity before we come to hear a talk on unity amongst Muslims, particularly in Canada.

We need to realize that perhaps contrary to popular thinking, we are not One Muslim Community, but rather a formation of several smaller communities. The imam puts special emphasis on the last bit, the “-ties”. He calls it an illusion to think of ourselves as one community.

As evidence, he recounts his experience as Chairman of the Canadian Council of Imams in bringing together the collective Muslim population of Canada to amass contributions for Haiti. He adds that it was not at all an easy task. People found it hard to leave behind their names and their fames for the greater effort.

He then smoothly jumps on to his next point about our reluctance or perhaps inability to look beyond our differences. Racism still exists in the Muslim world, despite Divine commandments to maintain and preserve equality.

Imam, or Doctor Slimi, points to our need to be able to transcend differences; to be Muslims without adjectives, or as he puts it: “Muslims without labels.”

The next challenge: “lack of leadership”. The Imam states it so explicitly that it would be hard for a child to not get. He says that there are plenty of educated and strong Muslims in the world today, but not enough leaders to direct their efforts.

He is not talking about just any leaders, but leaders who are flexible and accommodating; leaders who encourage and bring out the best in their followers.

While people today dedicate their lives to studying the various sciences of the world, they will draw back from a conversation if they are not familiar with a particular point or subject. But when it comes to matters of religion, everybody is an “expert”. Imam Slimi relates the hadith (narration) of the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, in which he foretold a time when speakers would be plenty yet only a few would be able to understand the matter. While many of us are “experts”, few amongst us are true leaders.

 

 

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"We need to realize that perhaps contrary to popular thinking,
we are not One Muslim Community, but rather a formation of
several smaller communities."

Imam Slimi’s final point is that achieving unity amongst Muslims requires trust and confidence between followers and leaders. He stresses that there needs to be better understanding between the two parties and that a good follower today, is most likely to be a good leader tomorrow. The examples of the four Caliphs are strong affirmations of this.

He says people need to show proper respect for one another and avoid making judgements, which is often the case in society today as people are rejected if they do not fit a specific mould or description.

As dinner is about to be served, the imam concludes with a story that is often told as a fable for children but which carries a deep meaning that can offer a valuable lesson to grownups.

The story is about three bulls - three brothers - one black, one brown, and one white. Along with these bulls, there is another inhabitant in the forest: a hungry lion. This lion makes several attempts to attack and eat the bulls but always fails because the brothers stay together.

The lion finally concocts a plan to separate the bulls. He approaches the black bull and warns him about a group of hunters who will come that night to kill the black bull. Given their dark hides, he and his brown brother will be hidden but their white brother will cause them to be seen. And so it is with this fear tactic that the lion manages to convince the brown bull that it would be best if he was separated from his white brother.

That night, no hunting party comes. Instead, the lion attacks the white bull. A few days pass after having devoured the white bull and the lion is hungry again. He now approaches the brown bull and warns him of hunters who have been spotted and who are coming after the bull. Given his brown complexion, the bull would be invisible amidst the reeds and the grass but his black brother would be seen from miles in the daylight.

With that story, the lion separates the two and the black bull does not see the day pass into night. Finally, the lion approaches the brown bull, who is now all alone and vulnerable. The brown bull tells the lion to go ahead and eat him because he was dead when his white brother was eaten.

“Unity is a fruit, not a tool,” the imam says. And he steps down from the podium.■