MAKING A POSITIVE, WONDERFUL DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD, HIZMET EMBRACES THE ENTIRE HUMAN FAMILY

IMAM OMAR SHAKIR Resident Imam at Masjid Bilal ibn Rabah of San Antonio, Texas

This is a transcript of a video by Spectra Media (January 26, 2017). Published with permission.

78 ’m saddened to hear that have traveled with them. And I know you so they can form their the Hizmet Movement here know them well. own opinions. is being categorized as a And to classify them as terror- And I have no doubt that once terror group. ists in any form is a great misrep- they get to know you and get to I’ve been working with resentation. know your leadership, I have no themI now for the past eight years. The other thing that I want to doubt that they will no longer be- I’ve had an opportunity to work say is that they are very loyal and lieve these outrageous allegations closely with them and to travel very patriotic to this nation. They against you. with them overseas, and I see no work to support the good works in Muhammad the Prophet (upon foundation for this. this nation. him be peace) made education a As a matter of fact, when I look They also work with all people, top priority. You all make educa- at their zeal and their enthusiasm faith or no faith, and they show tion a top priority. for the religion, and I look at how by example what the Prophet He told us that we should be they practice the Qur’an and the Muhammad (upon him be peace) kind and considerate and respect- life example of Muhammad the taught us. ful and hospitable to our neighbor. Prophet (upon him be peace), I’m Some of us read books, some of You all demonstrate that. You host inspired by what they do. us talk, but they actually do. And I iftars, you host various events dur- And they not only focus and consider it a privilege and an hon- ing the month of Ramadan to edu- center upon Muslims, they have or to be associated with them and cate the people. great relationships with the non- to be part of the brotherhood. So the Hizmet Movement is, I Muslim community. And I would I see them as wonderful human think, vital to the Muslim commu- consider them to be like ambassa- beings and as true Muslims, and I nity, and they are also showing us dors for Islam. can say this as one that has stud- how to apply the wonderful, uni- They share Ramadan, they ied the religion and been a leader versal, timeless concepts of Islam share neighborly needs, etc. in the religion for over 25 years. I in the 21st century. Muhammad the Prophet (upon can say this. him be peace) said he was one time Also, what I want to say to you My imam, my teacher, taught talking with one of his compan- is that when people try to come me that you never change the prin- ions, and he asked them if he knew against them – because some Mus- ciples. You never change the logic one of the brothers. And then, he lims don’t know about them and in Islam. said, “Yes, I know so and so.” their movement and the good that He said, but it’s OK to change And then the Prophet (upon they do in the world – I would tell the way you express the logic. And him be peace) said, “Well, let me them not to worry about that. we have to look at our current set ask you something about him. I would tell them to continue to of circumstances and our reality Have you worked with him?” model and be an excellent exam- here in the West and apply the best He said, “No.” ple of this religion and also build application of this faith. “Have you traveled with him?” on the relationships you already I see them doing that, and I He said, “No.” have. see them embracing the entire hu- Then the Prophet (upon him be Myself, as one of your brothers man family and making a positive, peace) said, “Well, then you don’t and friends: if I know other Mus- wonderful difference in the world. know him.” lims don’t know you, I’m happy to They’re a benefit to the Mus- I’m pleased to say that I’ve take you with me and introduce lim community and humanity as a worked with our brothers, and I you to them and let them get to whole.

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