GIC Global Representation

The Global Imams Council represents Islam and the Muslim communities belonging to its framework of congregations, Mosques and Islamic Centers. We advocate for the interests of the Muslim world on a day to day basis, and this factor has always been our main priority due to the co-opting of the Islamic faith by extremist groups who seek to impose their political agenda on society using religion as a tool. This phenomenon has been a significant challenge for Muslims worldwide, who often face discrimination and misunderstanding due to the actions of these groups. We shed more light on this phenomenon in the coming paragraphs.

Representing Muslims globally is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a nuanced understanding of the diversity and complexity of the Muslim world. Muslims constitute approximately 1.8 billion of the world’s population, making up almost a quarter of humanity. We are a diverse group with a variety of ethnicities, languages, and cultures, and we reside in almost every country on the planet. As such, representing Muslims globally requires authority, alongside careful consideration of the different factors that shape the experiences and perspectives of Muslim individuals and communities worldwide.

One of the most significant challenges in representing Muslims globally is the tendency to homogenize and essentialize Muslims as a monolithic group. This approach fails to recognize the diversity and complexity of the Muslim world and often reinforces harmful stereotypes and prejudices. Muslims come from a variety of ethnic and linguistic backgrounds and have different interpretations of Islamic beliefs and practices. We live in different socio-economic and political contexts and face distinct challenges and opportunities. Any attempt to represent Muslims globally must acknowledge and reflect this diversity and complexity to be truly representative.

The Global Imams Council represents Muslims, and loudly opposes Islamists. The terms Muslims and Islamists refer to two different groups with distinct meanings, and should not be used interchangeably. Muslims are individuals who follow a mainstream Islam, and they are the overwhelming majority of the religion. Muslims believe in the oneness of God and follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, as recorded in the Quran and the Hadith. Muslims also believe in the five pillars of Islam, which include the declaration of faith (Shahada), prayer (Salah), giving to charity (Zakat), fasting during Ramadan (Sawm), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). Islamists, on the other hand, are individuals or groups who seek to establish a political system by any means possible. They advocate for the implementation of violent sharia law as the basis for governance. Islamist movements vary in their goals and methods, ranging from mostly political participation such as the Muslim Brotherhood to outright terrorism, such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda. Islamists attempt to hijack Islam by utilizing religious texts and symbols to justify their violent and intolerant behavior, leading to a distortion of Islamic teachings and a misrepresentation of the vast majority of Muslims who reject extremism. Addressing the hijacking of Islam requires experience, dedication, sincerity, courage, and a multifaceted approach that involves countering extremist ideology, promoting religious literacy and education, and supporting Muslim voices who reject violence and promote peace and tolerance. While all Islamists are Muslims, not all Muslims are Islamists. The majority of Muslims do not support the political agenda of Islamists as they are a deviant minority within the religion, and The Global Imams Council actively opposes Islamism in all of its sects and flavors.

Another challenge in representing Muslims globally is the historical and contemporary context of Anti-Muslim Bigotry. Muslims have faced discrimination, prejudice, and violence due to our religion. This has resulted in a distorted representation of Islam and Muslims in the media and popular culture, which reinforces negative stereotypes and prejudices. The Global Imams Council addresses these biases and challenges the negative narratives that contribute to Anti-Muslim Bigotry.

In order to successfully represent Muslims globally accurately and positively, The Global Imams Council involves Muslim individuals and communities in the representation process. Muslim voices should be centered in the narrative and given the agency to shape their representation. This approach recognizes the agency and diversity of Muslims, and it ensures that the representation is authentic and reflects the perspectives and experiences of Muslim individuals and communities worldwide.

Another essential aspect of representing Muslims globally is to focus on the positive contributions and achievements of Muslims in various fields. Muslim individuals and communities have made significant contributions to science, arts, literature, philosophy, and many other areas throughout history. These contributions have enriched human civilization and advanced our understanding of the world. By highlighting these positive aspects, The Global Imams Council challenges negative stereotypes and prejudices and provides a more accurate and balanced representation of Muslims globally.

Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize the political and socio-economic context in which we Muslims live and how this affects the representation of Muslims globally. Muslims in different parts of the world face distinct challenges and opportunities, and their representation must reflect this. For instance, Muslims in the West may face discrimination, while Muslims in Muslim-majority countries may face challenges related to authoritarianism, sectarianism, and political instability. Any attempt to represent Muslims globally must acknowledge and reflect these different realities and address the structural factors that shape Muslim experiences worldwide.

The Global Imams Council stresses that representing Muslims globally requires a nuanced understanding of the complexity of the Muslim world, and representing Muslims before government departments and parliaments is an important aspect of building an inclusive and representative democracy. We conduct our representation in the following ways to ensure that Muslims are well-represented in all levels of society, and that the minority of Islamist extremists do not hijack the Muslim voice:

1. We Encourage Muslim social, cultural and political participation: The GIC encourages Muslims to participate in social and cultural programs as well as politics by running for office, and voting in elections. Political parties and organizations should actively recruit Muslim candidates from mainstream Muslim communities, as opposed to Islamists, and ensure that they have equal opportunities to participate in the political process.
2. We Build coalitions with Muslim organizations: The GIC works with Muslim organizations and Imams Councils worldwide to build coalitions and partnerships that amplify Muslim voices and concerns. These partnerships can help ensure that Muslims are adequately represented in government and society, and that their needs and interests are taken into account.
3. We Advocate for diversity and inclusion policies: The GIC strives to implement diversity and inclusion policies that ensure that Muslims are adequately represented in all levels of government. This can include quotas, outreach programs, and sensitivity training for government officials.
4. We Address discrimination and bias: During meetings with government officials, the GIC addresses discrimination and bias against Muslims in all areas, including employment and education. We advocate for the enactment of laws and policies that protect Muslims from discrimination and provide resources for reporting incidents of bias and discrimination.
5. We Provide Professional and Expert Advice: The GIC is made up of Muslim community leaders and experts we provide advice and guidance on issues that affect Muslims. This helps ensure that a government’s policies and programs are a) successful, and b) responsive to the needs of the Muslim community.
6. We Consult with Muslim Representatives: The GIC consults with Muslim representatives, such as ethnic leaders, tribal elders, and community activists, to ensure that their voices and concerns are reflected in local policies and programs. We conduct regular meetings with Muslim leaders globally and to discuss issues of importance to their community.

We ask Allah Almighty to assist us in our endeavors, indeed, he is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.