Unity

How do we keep the bonds of Islamic brother/sisterhood intact to fulfill our goals as an Ummah, especially in North America, where our diversity is even more marked than in other parts of the world? Here are ten practical ways you and your community can build unity:

Let us drop the illusion that we are doing a favor to Muslim unity by withholding our constructive criticism. It is time for Muslims to heed Allah's call in the Quran to stand up for justice and speak the truth, even if it is against ourselves.

How can we build Muslim unity in one day? Of course, none of us can perform such an awesome task in 24 hours, but we can take small, meaningful steps to work towards that goal, especially on Eid Muslim holiday.

The Muslims who had left Makkah were called Muhajirs, migrants who had left their homes for the sake of Allah. They were now homeless and more or less penniless in Madinah. They needed help. Enter the Muslims of Madinah. They became the Ansars (helpers) of their Muhajir brothers and sisters in faith.

A resolution to engage in dialog between Shias and Sunnis to save lives from sectarian violence.

About 50 Iraqi Muslim scholars representing the country's Shia and Sunni communities met on October 19, 2006 in Makkah and signed an edict (Fatwa) making attacks on Muslims in Iraq a sin.

It is imperative that the Muslim community in the United States actively and methodically engage in critical dialogue and education concerning Shia-Sunni Dialogue to Save Lives.