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= written by Amr Khaled =

1-7 Osrati - Messages from Amr Khaled

Messages from Amr Khaled directed to whom?

 Ossama Diab, a reporter for “Ossrati” Magazine interviewed Amr Khaled in April’s issue. Here are the highlights of the interview:

•  What we see on TV produces idle, empty-minded young people

•  I advocate the cooperation with the West as long as there is no loss of identity

• Ghanima Almarzouq’s comments are the best I have ever heard about my work and message.

 He is an example for a contemporary Islamic herald…He is an educated person who understands what young people need and delivers it in a unique linguistic style.

He lived with the young and spoke their language. Therefore, they loved him and he loved them back. On the other hand, he experienced intense criticism, but that did not deter him from carrying the load on his shoulders to deliver his message to young people.

He has his own vision and makes his own deductions which are different from those of his fellow heralds…

He is the young herald Mr Amr Khaled.

After the success of conferences called “making civilisation” held by the association of secret inventions for the 3^rd year in a row, I asked Mr Amr Khaled about some important and contemporary Islamic and Arabic issues.

Here is a glimpse of our discussion:

Mr Amr Khaled believes that there is going to be a renaissance for Islam, and the Ummah will experience a return of dignity in the near future. This is obvious through the spread of religious consciousness amongst young people, and through their willingness to exchange new and contemporary ideas between themselves after watching his suggestions and plans on the TV program “Sunaa’ al Hayah” (Life Makers). This is why the conferences are called “the making of civilisation”.

The aim of the program is a simple invitation for success and production. “It is not enough to pray and fast to say we are Muslims, but working together for the Ummah to make realistic and practical plans for life is also essential”, he said. “This is the hope for making a near “leap” in civilisation”. He also confirmed that the TV program and the conferences are very similar since the TV program changes what is said in the conference to real life, through weekly planning and application by young people.

Amr Khaled commented on people’s sensitivity towards having a slogan indicating that having one is not bad at all since all civilisations have adapted the idea in order to fix it in their people’s minds…” The Germans had a slogan after WWII that played a large part in their resurgence. It went like this “plant hope before you plant wheat”. In addition, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) always used to use slogans before going into battle such as “Your religion, your religion, your meat, your blood” or “O supporters, Go, Go!” Therefore, he added that the main aims of such conferences are not only to have slogans but also to make sure that after every meeting there is a practical step that is to be applied in real life.

In reference to the outrageous commercial campaigns targeting young people, Amr Khaled urged young people to be aware of such campaigns in the media which make them “empty minded”, and called them to boycott all things that transmit evil ideas into their minds. He also wondered about the purpose of video clips, for example. “There are channels set up only to broadcast video clips. For whose benefit is this?” he asked. “Even if corruption is meant or not, the big loser is our society”. Then he directed some strong comments towards the Arabic Media. He urged it to work for the Ummah’s benefit and to feed young people’s minds with things that construct society rather than destroy it. He said that this is not his opinion as a herald but it is the opinion of every Arabic citizen who loves his Ummah.

When I asked him to comment on the TV program “Star Academy”, he refused to name a specific TV program and asked what the benefit is in watching a group of young people competing to see who can sing better or who can dance better. “If we present such role models, does it please Allah?” he asked. “Such programs are designed to continue the current hypnotic stage of young people to empty their minds from any meaningful idea.” He then addressed the organisers of the program saying, “If you know Allah then fear Him in this Ummah”.

As for the strong campaigns targeting young heralds and the criticism towards him personally, Amr Khaled said that no one could find a person with whom everyone can agree. “It is a normal thing, there is always someone who does not agree with my ideas, my style and my looks. It’s an opinion I have to respect. However, there are also those who initially have a problem with religion in general but not with me. For example when I hosted the program “Wa Nalqa Al-ahebba” (‘We Meet the Beloved’), critics said that it is neither practical nor real, and that it makes people live in the past. Then I started “Sunaa’ al-Hayah”  (Life Makers) and they began to say that such planning should agree with religion. This is a current idea made only to confuse all the heralds with the Truth. On the other hand when I met Ghanima Marzouk on an invitation to her house with my family, she welcomed me warmly saying that she is happy with the delightful and the pleasant way I am presenting Islam. This is my own understanding of Islam-delightful and pleasant leading a delightful and pleasant life”.

Amr Khaled said that the most important problem facing young people today is that they cannot distinguish between being religious and being extremist.

“When should a religious person feel that he is in danger?” I asked.

“Firstly, if his religious duties stop at only worshipping Allah and learning His Law, forgetting his own practical life and the need to succeed in it. Secondly, when a young person finds himself listening to a single opinion and not tolerating other opinions”, he replied.

I commented about the problem of intolerance in our Muslim World asking for the reason why we cannot accept other points of view. He answered laughing - the topic of his PhD, which he is preparing for, is ‘Islam and the Acceptance of Others’. “I am an advocate for the cooperation with the West as long as there is no loss of identity,” he said. He then addressed the Arabic and the Muslim youth living in the West and said, “You must be an effective addition to your society. When you are so, you will be good ambassadors for Islam”.

Mr Khaled refused to comment on the issue of the Sheikh of Al-azhar’s position in relation to the issue of Hijab in France because he said, “all the Islamic World have commented on the issue and they were all in one opinion. As for what France did, it is a proof that France still has not understood Islam and the Muslim people at all. It put the moderate Muslims, who advocated for a positive cooperation with the West, in a critical situation with the extremist. It made women choose to be either French or Muslim even if the moderate Muslims were saying you can be both French and Muslim. France was formed after the need to have freedom in the country. I ask you, where is the freedom in what France is doing? I say this to the French people: be careful: you are planting hatred in your country”. He then advised the Muslim French women to find an alternative to Hijab and gave an example such as a stylish French hat that may be the best solution for now. “Be an effective figure in your society and try to change their thinking about Islam through your civilised conduct” he advised. Then he called for the Muslim Ummah to send millions of complaint letters to the French government. This is an appropriate and respectful method of refuting such an unjust decision, he said.

“Is illegalising Hijab a first step leading to similar ones in the future?” I asked.

“This is what I fear” he replied. “Hijab is a symbol, the Friday prayer is another symbol and the mosque is also a symbol. It is obvious that these people see that proper understanding of Islam is spreading and that causes a total danger for them”.

I confessed to Amr Khaled that he made me shed tears in one of his lectures talking about how he missed Egypt. Then I asked him the reason for stopping him visiting Egypt and he replied that it is common knowledge that he was forbidden to practice his Da’wa activities in Egypt therefore he had to practise them outside Egypt. In addition he is also preparing his PhD, for which he must study and live outside Egypt.

“Are you forbidden from entering Egypt,” I asked. “If there is a problem between the Egyptian government and myself then it is very inappropriate for me to discuss it when living outside Egypt” he replied.

I then asked him: if he had three messages who would he send them to? Without thinking he replied:

The first message is for everyone I love in Egypt. I ask them to watch the TV program “Sunaa’ al Hayah” and to say a prayer.  The second message is to the young people. I would say to them: you are our hope; you are the ones who can change history if you want to. Whereas the third message would be for my mum and dad, I ask Allah to protect them and to make me always loyal and obedient to them both. I also ask them to make a prayer.

I asked him about his wife Um Ali and in simple words he replied that Um Ali is very kind.

I asked him about his son Ali and he replied: “I hope that he will grow up to be a soldier, among the soldiers of Allah. I hope for him to be successful in his career and to be a “Life Maker”.

Time passed quickly when I was with Amr Khaled. Our meeting was a treasured one. I left him and I was sure that he is not only a contemporary herald but also one of the  “Life Makers”.

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