I might be able to bring her back....

[Jugjugwacwac]

Well, I've met every type of Somali under the sun. Heck I've met Somali Christians. I still think 30% is an overestimation. I would not be too quick to pass judgment on others or claim they are "gaalo". I knew a sister that believed in God, but barely prayed or fasted and she turned things around and remained consistent. I'm sure there are those that will never believe in a higher power no matter what, it's their prerogative. I've also met people that were believers that had strong imaan but have seen it weaken. I know people that believe for superficial reason "to keep up the appearances". The spectrum is large.

I've never called anyone a gaalo, unless they came out. Im just saying that's my estimate based on recent trends and also factoring in the many who are understandably too scared to come out.

[TheMailMan]

30% is WAY too high of a number. I don't even think the number approaches 5%. I've seen way too many Somalis who used to sin regularly and not practice the Deen....but they still had that consciousness of Allah WHILE they were sinning and they returned to an Islamic lifestyle years down the road. These are the men and women who willingly sign up for Islamic conferences, return to Dugsi to learn the Quran, and buy dozens of Islamic books.

Somalis are WAY more religious today than they ever were in the 1960's and 1970's. The regular Somali in 2015 also has far more knowledge on Tawheed and Fiqh than the Somalis of 40 years ago, and this is a fact. And I've seen a number of Muslims who were non-believers, and then who returned to Islam once they did more research about the Deen and acquainted themselves with it.

Islam will stand the test of time, and those who are steadfast will remain on the straight path, by the Permission of Allah. Tell this lady to seek Guidance from Allah, sincerely pray to Allah, and immerse herself in reading about Islam, studying the Sira, and listening to Islamic lectures. I strongly recommend listening to English speakers like Nouman Ali Khan, Yasir Qadhi, and Mufti Menk.

Islamic Apologetic Sites have popped up over the last decade, and have refuted many of the allegations brought forth against Islam. The internet is a vast place with a huge wealth of knowledge, and Muslims have stepped up to the plate and provided answers to common objections against Islam, alhamdulilah. We have a comprehensive, superior system of life that is designed to address man's spiritual, physical, and intellectual needs. As Islam is the Guidance of Allah and a Mercy to the World, it is naturally equipped to answer and confront many of the modern-day challenges Muslims face today.

Return to your Lord with an open heart and a clear mind. Allah will guide you if you put your trust in Him

[GeoSeven]

You might be. Advo, just try to steer clear of ridicule, mockery or any derisive and negative tones for that matter. She's less likely to reflect on words she took offence to. Best of luck.

I just wonder how many undercover somali gaalo we have in the somali communities around the world ?

You'd really be surprised. Folks open up once they've been assured you won't go American Psycho on their confession, a disproportionate number of them girls from my experience....the 21st century isn't the most readily accommodating time period for a Muslim girl bro, it's a shame really. There's also the media painting a bestial image of Islam. Where I matriculated, there were a handful of students with Muslim upbringing, they'd all gone agnostic. The only other Somali student was a girl, no judging her because her mother wasn't even Muslim anymore.

[Hyperactive]

i dont agree with blind followers too. better one to believe in their heart and mind, so prayers, fast and following islam easy for them. its only hard to do prayers and sin, when God not really the the heart and mind. when people believe cause they are convinced, they may sin, but come back fast.

[TheMailMan]

We Muslims have gone through similar periods of severe fitna and turmoil. Islam has a very long history, and to judge it based on this brief period of time is very myopic and short-sighted. Tell this lady to acquaint herself with the vast Islamic scholarly traditions. We Muslims were at the forefront of the world scientifically and economically when we stuck close to our religion. Many of the greatest Islamic theologians and scholars were also mathematicians, physicians and engineers.

Many of those who left Islam, leave the religion due to their political prejudices. They feel as if certain laws are unjust, and certain ways of doing things are unacceptable, and they base these prejudices on their preconceived beliefs on how a society should be run. These people need to understand that it is a logical fallacy to judge Islamic Standards by your own set of standards. In order to judge Islam, you would need to formulate a comprehensive, universal world-view in which to judge Islam and Islamic principles. Since the Atheists don't believe in Allah and life is material, then their preconceived notions on how a society "ought" to be run are just that; preconceived notions. There is nothing inherent about their worldview that can address their disagreements with Islam. They're basically judging something without even having a moral framework in which to judge.

There is a reason why Non-Muslims cannot get into these sorts of discussions with Muslims. They know their standing on a shaky foundation, which is why they tend to use emotional arguments against Muslims instead of logically sound ones. That's why you hear them spout ridiculous arguments like, "Well who created God!?" or "If God is real, then why do bad things happen in the world."

Believe me, I've read their books. I understand these people inside and out. They have nothing, and they rely on nothing but conjecture.

May Allah guide us all. Ameen

[Sophisticate]

Well, I've met every type of Somali under the sun. Heck I've met Somali Christians. I still think 30% is an overestimation. I would not be too quick to pass judgment on others or claim they are "gaalo". I knew a sister that believed in God, but barely prayed or fasted and she turned things around and remained consistent. I'm sure there are those that will never believe in a higher power no matter what, it's their prerogative. I've also met people that were believers that had strong imaan but have seen it weaken. I know people that believe for superficial reason "to keep up the appearances". The spectrum is large.

I've never called anyone a gaalo, unless they came out. Im just saying that's my estimate based on recent trends and also factoring in the many who are understandably too scared to come out.

I see what you are saying. I still think its an inflated stat.

[Cherine]

30% is a crazy figure, many European countries don't have any where near that number of atheists. Please don't be plucking figures from thin air.

[1nemansquad]

i've never met a Somali who was openly atheist or a christian.. however i've met Somalis who said to me, 'i'm a Muslim but i chose to live my life outside the mosque'

i still don't know what that means..

[TheMailMan]

You might be. Advo, just try to steer clear of ridicule, mockery or any derisive and negative tones for that matter. She's less likely to reflect on words she took offence to. Best of luck.

I just wonder how many undercover somali gaalo we have in the somali communities around the world ?

You'd really be surprised. Folks open up once they've been assured you won't go American Psycho on their confession, a disproportionate number of them girls from my experience....the 21st century isn't the most readily accommodating time period for a Muslim girl bro, it's a shame really. There's also the media painting a bestial image of Islam. Where I matriculated, there were a handful of students with Muslim upbringing, they'd all gone agnostic. The only other Somali student was a girl, no judging her because her mother wasn't even Muslim anymore.

Bro, all of this is based upon proper upbringing. Most of those who have left Islam were never given a proper education on their Deen in the first place. It's a shame really.

But what's even MORE shameful, is how these Muslims don't have the guile to even research the accusations being thrown against Islam! They just willingly take these jabs, without doing more to counter it! I mean, there are hundreds, if not thousands of well-educated, well-spoken Muslim brothers on the Internet and on TV who can provide the answers you're looking for. Ask them, email them. There are literally dozens of Islamic websites dedicated to countering the claims put forth against Islam by Atheists, Christians, and others. There are professional debate videos where Muslims completely annihilate the Atheist in religious debates.

This stuff is out there saaxib. There is NO EXCUSE to not know about your Deen in the 21st century, especially when you have the Internet at your disposal. Those who don't seek their Lord's Guidance and don't put an effort to learn about their Deen, are those who are most vulnerable. And they owe it to themselves to learn about Islam

[Jugjugwacwac]

lool, that's why my friends think i'm crazy. And Cherine you're going off of official stats, which means you've misunderstood my point. On paper Somalia is 99.99% Muslim, so no point in comparing it to European stats. My point is, many who profess Islam really don't believe in their hearts. But maybe 30% is a bit too high. Of course I hope the figure is much lower than what i'm guesstimating it to be. And may Allah guide those who've left the fold, whether they've come out or not.

[Cherine]

Lol@many who profess Islam do not believe in their hearts.

How'd you know..did you enter their hearts?

[ciddhartha]

@Advo Hey, if she made a rash decision (her heart and mind wasn't committed to Atheism) then so be it, save her ass. PS, Somalis that aren't Muslim aren't Somali, huh? I guess Arab Christians/Jews aren't Arab and Iranian Jews aren't Iranian.

@thegeneraltoneofthisthread Since KTS/Platinum isn't here I guess I have to do this:



SMH @ this thread. Keep coming for my crown. I guess I'm too stupid, hedonistic, misinformed to BELIEVE Islam is the end all be all.

[GeoSeven]

Exactly Malilman. You know, to say the least...most of us aren't exactly paragons of Islamic virtues but in the face of ideological onslaught, what's to stop a fickle human mind from yielding. Not everyone stops to think. Unless an individual is broadly steered with strong strong sense of identity and faith, the bedrock of creed for a people is their native lands. The bond with religion diminishes when a young refugee or immigrant views his heritage and customs as retrograde. Above all else, the Muslims are the cause for the dilution of Islam.

No, 30% is simply implausible. Regardless of their number, non-Muslim Somalis are still an extreme minority.

[Jugjugwacwac]

Lol@many who profess Islam do not believe in their hearts.

How'd you know..did you enter their hearts?

lol, I knew that'd be ur come back. But that's why I said i'm guesstimating. But ok fine people 30% is too high. But im sticking with 15-20%. I think that's reasonable.

[SultanOrder]

last night I had people over my place, my neighbor and friends mostly. We were having a nice debate about Somalia and qabiil, everything was Gucci until most of them started expressing pro Somali and extreme anti-Arab sentiments. I knew exactly where the conversation was headed and just started zoning out mentally.

When they got brave enough to state their true agenda, I came in swinging. Basically besides me and my hommie who was of no help (smh) were the only believers. The rest consider themselves one of those bullsh!t labels. Anywho after I got my point across and they couldn't really rebuttal. They asked me if I still consider them Somali.

I told them in my own opinion I did not consider them Somali nor blood and stated my reasons. They dammm near had teary eyes cus I kept it one HUNNED. My neighbor is a great guy, I was friends with his younger brother (very religious) and he comes over all the time BUT there's no hope for the guy.

Now what surprised me was the young liberal girl who admitted to me she left Islam based on how Muslim women are treated and the fact that she didn't know much about the deen.

Anyways she said she wants to ask me more questions and is open to change, I may not be the best Muslim as I need to work on myself but inshallah soo duceeya that she comes back to the righteous path and that I can provide her with useful material.


Note: this is not a debate thread, all u extremists on both sides of the spectrum piss off.

Instead let's discuss how we can reach out to the lost young generation who are headed in that direction.

Send her to me bro