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THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN MOBILIZING COMMUNITIES AGAINST DRUGS

(Abridged excerpts from an article by)
MOHAMED UTHMAN EL- MUHAMMADY
(Very distinguished Academic Fellow, International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC), IIUM, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

 

In what way can religious leaders play a role in drug demand reduction and prevention?

 Let us reflect on some possible areas where they can play a role in the community. They can be teachers of Islamic subjects in mosques and in schools. They can be the Imams in their villages and towns; they can be teachers; they can be writers of religious books. They should be exposed to the dangers of the abuse of drugs in a convincing way so that they will be ready to come out and cooperate in the work of combating the alarming malady of the society and of the nation.

 Related to this, there is the science of effective personal change: the resolve to do good and avoid evil; the act of doing good avoiding evil, with personal reflection of oneself doing it; then the principal of accounting taught by the classical spiritual teachers; then there is the personal punishment. Then the increase in the resolve and effort to do good and avoid evil; then the personal accusation in case of negligence and lackluster. There is no short cut to the process.  Others can help; but the real change is by one’s own efforts, by God’s grace. We have to spread the message once again, effectively to our young. Our religious leaders have got to be exposed to their responsibility. Related to this also, for Muslims, reduction and avoidance of drug use should be effected through the inculcation of spiritual exercise and discipline necessary for the realization of spiritual and psychological wholeness as expounded in Quruanic spiritual psychology.  

When the religious leaders in their various groups and categories are aware of the alarming danger and are sensitive to the problem, then they can be persuaded to shoulder their responsibility according to their various means. They can be counselors in the centers for counseling, or teachers who are prepared to teach and educate the youth of the various NGOs to make the work successful.

 Of course, apart from the above categories of religious leaders, parents have to be empowered in the families so that they are able to function as primary religious and spiritual educators in the family environment as taught by Islam. This is clear for example from the Quranic exhortation asking the believers to save themselves and the members of their families from the fire. Related to this, necessarily is the avoidance of drugs or the reduction of drug abuse. This is so fundamental when it is seen in the perspective of the ultimate objectives of the sacred Law of Islam, namely the preservation and enhancement of religion, the intellect, life wealth, progeny, and some scholars add, honor. And the misuse of drug involves a violation of the ultimate objectives of the sacred law.

 Apart from conventional ways of dealing with this malady, alternative ways also has got to be exploited.  The level of change involved in human personality in relation to this malady should operate at the spiritual level, because this is the core of the human personality.  There is no doubt that, as a Muslim, the Muslim person must undergo a spiritual change for his enhancement, healing himself soulfully.  Then only will that healing be permanent and not short-lived. Of course this personal healing should go hand in hand with the availability of a conductive environment and the necessary personnel in the environment.

 When religious leaders are involved actively in this work, it is hoped that their work will be more effective, because usually religious leaders are relatively more trusted compared to other groups of people in the community. But they should be contacted and persuaded to work in a systematic manner, so that the work will be more effective. If the energy of the religious leaders can be harnessed for doing this work, god willing, it is going to be effective.

 In conclusion we can say that Mosques and religious leaders have significant roles to play in the global effort at demand reduction at various levels from the lowest, right to the highest. However this role has got to be empowered and preceded by effective planned preparations in terms of exposure and training of the religious leaders as well as making preparations so that the institution of the Mosque can carry out the added dimension – or we can say even – the extension – of its traditional function as the spiritual, educational and social center of the community.