Issue 10: Apr - Association of Muslim Professionals

o E V E N T SDr Olivier Roy (right), with moderator Dr Gabriele Marranci (left), takingquestions during the open discussion session.The joint lecture was attended by a diverse group of individuals whoactively participated in the discourse on the adaptation of Muslim minoritycommunities.Islam and its Adaptationto Secular Societiesby Muhd Haikal Mohd HarunThe influx of Muslims into Europe over the last few decades has brought about issues of integration between the Muslimcommunity and the mainstream European society. While the first generation of Muslim migrant workers had maintaineda close affinity to their parent countries, the second and third generation Muslims viewed themselves as citizens andsubsequently, as a minority community of their host countries. To address this issue, the Western European countriesadopted two models of integration – multiculturalism and assimilation. However, the two models failed to successfullyintegrate the Muslims into the mainstream European society, even to the point of isolation.The Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs (RIMA), in collaboration with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore(MUIS), invited Dr Olivier Roy, a senior researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research and a professorat the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences), to share histhoughts on why the two models did not succeed. The lecture, entitled Islam and Adaptation to Western Secular Society,was held on 3 January and attended by 100 participants made up of students, academics and educators. It forms a part ofRIMA’s three-year Islamic Studies Project, which began in June 2010.The lecture provided insights on the evolution of Muslim migrants as well as the strategies and policies to integrate themin the secular European society, which can be applied to the Muslim community in Singapore.LIVE YOU R POTE NTI A L !by Nur Liyana YunosCalling all youths! Here’s how you can adopt a positive lifestyle:››› GET LOTS OF RESTWe know you are constantly juggling school and your social life,so you have a tendency to stay up late and rise early. However,for your mind and body to function well, you need to get at leasteight hours of sleep each night. Try planning your day well so youcan go to bed early and wake up with lots of energy for schoolthe next day! Lower your blinds, turn off the television or radio,and silent or switch off your mobile phone to enjoy uninterruptedslumber.››› SAY ‘NO!’ TO CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOLAside from being illegal to those below 18, the substances presentin cigarettes and alcohol can affect your physical and mentalhealth especially when consumed excessively. Lifelong habitsstart during the school years, so ensure that you are forming goodones. Say ‘No!’ to your friends who pressure you into trying a sipof alcohol or a puff of the cigarette. They are not your real friendsif they force you to do something against your wishes.6 ISSUE 10 • APR – JUN 2011››› BE PART OF YOUR COMMUNITYVolunteering is the perfect way to discover something you arereally good at and develop a new skill at the same time. Findingnew interests and hobbies through volunteering can be fun,relaxing and energising. It will also enable you to give back toyour community!››› CONFIDE IN FRIENDS AND FAMILYGot a problem that has been bugging you for a while now? Yourfriends and family are there for you. Your teenage years might beone of the most emotional periods in your life, as you tend to spendthose years discovering who you are. If you are uncomfortablewith sharing your problems with your friends, family or teachers,head down to AMP @ Jurong Point to speak with one of ourcounsellors. We are always here to lend a listening ear!››› PARTICIPATE IN OUTDOOR OR ADVENTUROUSACTIVITIESOutdoor activities such as camping, rock climbing and canoeingnot only help to widen your social network and circle of friends, italso reduces stress, and improves your self esteem and confidence.Go to your nearest community centre to find out which outdooractivities you can participate in today!© Association of Muslim Professionals. Permission is required for reproduction.