How to actually unite
Building practical unity with an ecosystem of Pro-Muslims.
I’m going to suggest a simple framework for uniting Muslims.
I’ll break down what we currently do and I why I think it hasn’t worked. Then I’ll offer my thoughts on a practical and real-world solution.
Why it’s not working:
We want to unite on labels (sects, groups, politics).
Labelling ourselves and others fuels further division.
This type of approach doesn’t produce any solutions.
Be honest.
If you’ve ever thought about unity for Muslims or consumed content on the topic, it was likely to do with labels.
It doesn’t matter if they want you to join one label or to join two or more labels together. What they’re really saying is solutions have nothing to do with practical work and everything to do with identity.
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
Apparently our problems are due to a lack of sameness—the enemies gathering to eat us like a tasty meal will suddenly lose their appetite when we all act like clones.
Do you know why this will never work?
Because you can’t create unity through division.
Sounds obvious yet how many times do you see it? See, not only do you have the wrong identity but this is the reason you’re to blame for the suffering in this Ummah.
If step zero is based on what divides then no wonder we can never figure out step one.
And it gets worse.
Because most of these groups end up simply protecting their own bubble. You end up in a compartmentalised pseudo Ummah where you shut off your brain and let others think for you.
So, to me at least, the obvious change that needs to happen is figuring out step zero:
How do we recognise what unites us already?
In other words we unite on what unites us.
(I told you this was going to be a simple framework, didn’t I?)
Things that (already) unite us:
Putting food on the table.
Being healthy.
Helping Palestine.
Feeling secure.
Having our privacy respected.
Wanting peace and contentment.
Freedom.
Think about what’s important in your life. What you’re struggling with. What keeps you awake at night.
If you’re a parent, it’s probably to do with providing for your kids. Maybe your dream is to own your own business. Or you’re passionate about healthy living.
Other parents… other small business owners… other health professionals… that’s already your tribe.
That group with the big claims or that dawah celebrity you listen to aren’t your tribe.
I sum it up like this:
We don’t need to unite on beliefs. We need to unite on needs.
There are millions of others who share the same needs as you.
When Muslim dads unite they work on improving their income. When Muslim coders unite they work on tech solutions for riba free finance.
The examples are endless.
Unlike the limiting nature of trying to unite on beliefs.
Before someone writes a comment—I’m not saying belief’s aren’t important. I’m saying they have nothing to do with unity.
And guess what?
You don’t need it to have a religious angle for unity. You don’t even need to have an extra reason to unite (like creating tech solution for Muslims).
When Muslim dads grow the Ummah grows. When Muslim coders land a higher salary that’s more money for zakat.
It just needs to be about producing solutions.
What you produce can benefit others. Others grow because you grow. The Ummah grows because we all grow.
An ecosystem of Pro-Muslims.
-- Pro-Muslims --
Proactive
Productive
Professional
Prolific
Be pro (for) Muslims by becoming a Pro-Muslim.You work on what matters for your family because you are pro your family. You work on your business you are pro your freedom.
(By the way… isn’t interesting how joining these groups affects the things you care about? Neglecting family because you have to go on a dawah trip. Hating other Muslims because they’re not in your group. I thought “unity” was about helping the Ummah.)
It’s time we became pro Muslim again:
Eliminate labels from your discourse.
Identify what you truly care about.
Have the confidence to only work on what matters to you.
Find others who share the same needs.
Realise you’re already united with millions of Muslims.
Grow together.
Let’s start with creating an ecosystem of Pro-Muslims. I’ll build on this in future emails so if you believe this is a worthwhile cause please share it with others and consider supporting with a subscription.