Over the last week we have had our lives turned upside down and we have no real idea when or if things will go back to what we used to consider to be “normal.” Blessings we took for granted like simply going outside, our daily work and outings, praying at the Mosque, Friday prayers, they are gone for now. We pray for this disease to be eradicated and taken from our lives, we pray for healing for all those who are suffering, and for ease for families who have lost loved ones around the world, Ameen. There is no greater example of how little control we have of this world and how interconnected our lives are beyond the barriers and borders placed around us.

These are some of the most difficult times that most of us have ever lived through. The uncertainty of these times should create empathy in our lives in imagining what it is like for the millions around the world who have had their lives uprooted by war and disease.

It should also be a reminder that as people of faith our lives are rooted in our belief and love of God, we must turn to Him with absolute humility and prayer in this moment. We should also reflect on the reality that if this world as it was is unacceptable to our creator, then what type of world should we create that is more in balance with our teachings?

LaunchGood, Penny Appeal, and Celebrate Mercy have put together a beautiful fundraiser that now has a goal of $300,000 to support people who have lost work and income because of the Corona Virus. You can donate here.

The Center for Global Muslim Life

In 2018 as I was living in Kuala Lumpur, I was reflecting on how little we actually know about the diversity of Muslim life around the world. We know about our crises, the wars, and Islamophobia but what do we know about the leaders in our community building the collective future of the world’s largest and most diverse faith? What do we know about diverse narratives about Muslims being produced around the world? The diverse startups growing around the world to serve Muslim communities? What do we know about Muslims making a social and spiritual impact around our world?

We asked the question, what would it look like to create a center that is future oriented and that creates space for cultural incubation? What would it look like to create something visionary and move away from the constant reactionary thinking that our community has been stuck in for the last twenty years?

This is our answer, and although it is a difficult time to launch anything as the Prophet ﷺ has taught us "Even if the end of time is upon you and you have a seedling in your hand, plant it!" So we dig in and plant our seeds with high intentions and the love of humanity in our hearts. As we work towards launching the center we are starting small with this weekly newsletter where we gather some of our favorite faith reflections, films, and sounds from around the world. You can learn more about what we are building here: GlobalMuslimLife.com

The Friday Khutba

Since many of us are now going into our second week where we will not be going to Jummah, it is important that we find time for faith-rooted reflections in the midst of this crisis. Here are a few that I watched this week:

• Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui on “A Spiritual Response to the Coronavirus”