The Best Model

Princeton Model United Nations Conference Dec. 7 -10
Photo: 2005 Model UN & NUI students in action.
High school students from all over New Jersey came together this weekend at the Princeton Model U.N. Conference to have a better understanding of global issues. Among these bright students were the best and the brightest, the cream of the crop, the one and only, my Noor-Ul-Iman students. They are smart, confident, and above all, adorned with great conduct. I am not making empty claims, I have taught these students for four years at Noor-Ul-Iman School. This Jumuah was a reunion of their old teacher Mr. Faraz. There were about 35 students and teachers from NUI High School who participated in this conference. I emphasized in the khutba that they should seek to develop solutions and not simply be content with a bumper sticker mentality "Islam is the Solution". They are a unique generation of Muslim students - intellectually and religiously equipped to respond to the modern challenges. They should serve God by serving humanity. I emphasized to them that Islam is the truth but we should not confuse our way of thinking or opinions as 'the truth from God'. We are human beings and we make mistakes just like anybody else - truth belongs only to God. I also emphasized that we should refrain from 'one size fits all' or a 'pill for all problems' approach. The world is intricately complex and we should put all of our energies together to first understand then resolve political, social, and environmental dilemmas. In the end, we must not forget the words of God about the best model i.e. "Surely in the example of the Messenger of God you have the best of role model for the one who hopes to meet God, believes in the last day, and remembers God much".