This could be due to lack of time, fear of employer/government reprisals, and perceptions of rigidity in MCOs.
How do we overcome these personal and perceived barriers (e.g. lack of time, desire for autonomy, and rigidity in Muslim organisations) to encourage greater participation among Muslim professionals in community advocacy?
What Islamic values should be promoted in strengthening advocacy among Muslim professionals, and how should they be introduced and implemented?
AMP needs to work hand in hand with mosques all over Singapore in creating a space for serious Muslim students to have a conducive study area.
Growing up I did not have that. While preparing for an ‘O’ level paper the next day, my family is inviting me to join in the karaoke session in the living room.
Alhamdulillah I scored eight points for the ‘O’ levels despite this and a few other challenges.
If I did this, what about kids now who does have the potential but just are not accommodated that conducive environment?
Throw in a circle of young Muslim groups studying the Seerah of the prophet at the mosque guided by a youth religious officer.
All grown up now I wish I had learnt more about the figure of the Prophet. The father figure in our Malay Muslim communities are always busy at work they do not feature much in our day-to-day lives. Our kids need that figure or at least a group of like-minded kids for support as they grow up.
The concerns are true, we are just too busy with work and making ends meet. The what's in it for them (the professional) are seen as less appealing, they don't need all the drama and additional stress on dealing with the masses and rigidity of stat boards. I feel to encourage greater participation is by identifying and scouting them, we need to place the right people on the right seat on the right bus. These scouts (from the Muslim organization) need to profile the professionals, what they need and what they can offer. Have a specific agenda for them on a fixed schedule, and from there nurture them to take on larger responsibilities. Make them the VIP cos they have a wealth of knowledge to share.
Invite such senior community advocates to talk to the community and allow for dialogue. People will respond if they listen to such advocacy and contribute either monetary, time or by views when they are made aware
There needs more initiatives for intergenerational dialogues/exchanges between the community activists/advocates of the earlier generation and today. This is one way for the Muslim professionals from the earlier generations to instill greater courage amongst todays Muslim professionals to have the will to speak up and self-organise amongst themselves.