Jamillah Karim and Model Community

I found Jamillah Karim's lecture very interesting for the most part. She introduced me to a better understanding of Islam in America. She discussed some major Islamic beliefs, past challenges and the importance of their future to everyone.

One focus of Karim's I found significant is the idea of "healthy competition": raise to good with what we have been given and after this test on earth, God will make it clear for all. This was important to Karim and her faith because it is proof of how her religion approaches other religions with acceptance, contrary to the belief of many. I found this significant because it is indeed contrary to what many believe because of the connection people have made between Muslims and violence. It was a belief of Muslims that I had not been aware of, yet I think it is really good point made by Karim.

She did discuss challenges the Islam community has faced throughout the years, however this led her to finish her lecture with what these challenges have given them power to work against. Because Islam is the fastest growing community in the United States, it is undeniable that they are growing in unity and power. Karim's hope is that they can use this unity and power to challenge racism, class and equality to evolve into a common community. This involves both Muslims and non-Muslims. Not only is the future of Islam Americans developing into a positive future, but the future of Americans in general will develop positively along with this future of Islam Americans. The model community involves all of us, and it was great to hear Jamillah Karim acknowledge this important idea at the end of her lecture.