215474_01-64.qxd:IH
6/11/10
12:32 PM
Page 14
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dangerous Levels Your coverage on the prevalence of alcohol use among Muslims is most timely (“IH,” May-June 2010). I referred to this article in a recent khutbah. The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU; www.ispu.org), Policy Brief #37 (2009), shows that a whopping 47% of Muslim collegians consume alcohol. ISPU scholars used the survey database of “Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study 2001.” A Gallup study reported that 16% of Muslims aged 18 to 29 reported binge drinking during the week of the survey (“Muslim Americans: A National Portrait,” Mar. 2009). Binge drinking means consuming five or more drinks in one sitting. Samana Siddiqui’s research (Sound Vision; www.soundvision.com) revealed that alcohol consumption is one of the major factors for rising divorce rates among Muslim Americans. The Muslim community needs to not only be aware of, but also to educate others about this problem. Imams should focus on the dangers of alcohol and develop educational campaigns to combat this evil. —ABDUL MALIK MUJAHID, PRESIDENT, SOUND VISION
Excellent Content “Islamic Horizons” is always full of information and exciting news, but I wish to congratulate specifically Nabeelah Naeem for going to all aspects of janazah so thoroughly. A job well done indeed. This should wake up each one of us to prepare for the essential journey from this world. I have been involved in janazah services in my community for a long time and have so many stories, but Nabeelah has left no corner undiscovered. Next, about alcohol and its relationship with young Muslim Americans, both Sabrina Enayatulla and Shabana Mir have done a good job and need to be congratulated. Sabrina’s coverage is thorough (I am a neurologist and know what I am saying) and deserves special mention. Shabana’s is an academically solid write-up. May God bless these writers and you all to make such selections. —WAHAJ-UD-DIN AHMAD, MD, RALEIGH, NC
How to Submit a Letter to the Editor Islamic Horizons welcomes letters about any article that has appeared recently in the magazine. A letter must include the writer’s mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail. We may edit letters for clarity, civility and accuracy, and they may be shortened for space requirements. We regret that we are unable to acknowledge letters. Letters for publication should be e-mailed to horizons@isna.net. Tips on Writing a Letter to the Editor: • Write concisely and clearly. • Keep it to 150 words at most.
14 ISLAMIC HORIZONS JULY/AUGUST 2010
• Letters are not rejected for publication because of their political coloration. On the contrary, Letters to the Editor is a forum for a variety of voices. Some criticize, some seek to set the record straight, some want to add a different perspective or expertise to an issue. We welcome them all: the agreers, the dissenters, the critics, the curmudgeons and even those who are happy with us. • Islamic Horizons and its parent, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), reserve the right to include a response to any letter they deem. • We do not accept open letters, and we do not publish letters sent in a coordinated letter-writing campaign.