Ummah Project

Currently, as you know, Muslims cannot use public gyms, pools or programs nor can use private recreation centers (YMCA), because of the lack of gender-specific and culturally sensitive facilities and programs. Many Muslim immigrants in the United States are facing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and high-blood pressure due to the lack of exercise. Therefore, are experiencing hip and knee replacements because weight gain stresses their body structure. Many Muslim women wear skirts instead of pants in public, making exercise difficult. But in a female-only environment, they can wear workout pants and T-shirts.
Thus, my argument here might not be in line with what the average American are not alert to as a dilemma that needed immediate attention. Now, as I already initiated above, this is a problem facing a large portion of the American society. It is inevitable for all like-minded people in the State of Minnesota and all the people of the United States of America to genuinely understand, advocate, and do something about this hideous and dreadful predicament. I believe in the American dream and that everyone, all Americans regardless of religion, ethnicity, color, and income have the right to exercise that American dream. The dream to live a better life, to be healthy, educated, and be viable members of the American society. I am committed to the public ideals of unity and community, social and economic justice, and peace at home and abroad. These ideals are born out of the struggles against discrimination, oppression, misrepresentation, violence, and marginalization. I believe in the virtues of hospitality, dialogue, partnership and openness.
Culture is an important aspect and part of this American dream, so as religion too. Hence, this American dream to me and many other Somali or Muslim women has yet to see, and exercise this so called American dream. However you define the American Dream; it appears that a key part of it is the pursuit of happiness. you'll recall those words are in the Declaration of Independence, which says we are all created equal and have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It also says the purpose of government is to secure our rights, which means securing the conditions necessary to the pursuit of happiness. Happiness of such conditions as those driven from the conditions caused by lack of exercise such as depression, cholesterol, diabetic, hypertensions, blood pressure, and stroke, bipolar and many other diseases obviously produces a world full of unhappy people and in this case the American Muslim women faced the majority, if not all of the above diseases.
According to Mayo's Health Living Clinic's Healthy Life Style Program, there are many benefits to regular physical exercise. For example; Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores. Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. Regular physical activity can leave you feeling energized and looking better, which may have a positive effect on your sex life. But there's more to it than that. Regular physical activity can lead to enhanced arousal for women. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don't exercise. Physical activity can also help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting. So, take a dance class, hit the hiking trails or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and just do it. If you get bored, try something new.
Now, think about it, when you wear Hijab, and covering all your body is necessary at all times, how is it or would it even be possible for anyone to do exercise, whether swimming, running, or even be inspired about doing any activity? This is why creating a gender specific; culturally appropriate facility is necessary for the American Muslim population and is must in order to safe an entire population that are suffering with chronic illnesses caused by lack of physical activity.
However, I think we can do better and Cultural Anthropology can be a tool that can guide us to address and overcome this problem. As we know cultural anthropologist examines many aspects and issues within communities, and societies in order to address and find solutions to current issues facing societies. Hence, more importantly my propose idea is to build a Family/Youth and Rec. Center, just like the YWCA but Muslim friendly. I would name this Center and the name would be the "Ummah Center," the meaning of the word "Ummah," is (Mother or Community.) I choose this name for a reason which is to demonstrate the unity, justice, and equality and brought harmony and love just like mothers do. This center will be located in the heart of the community, definitely somewhere in the Twin Cities and its goal is to embody these ideals by providing educational, legal, health and recreational services, especially for immigrant and underprivileged populations.
The Ummah Center will be open to all like-minded organizations, schools and institutions as a place for them to further their good work in the community. This would be a place of youth and family programs for health, education, recreation and empowerment, just like the current (YWCA). This would address many of the current youth and family issues within the Muslim community as well as providing new jobs for a self-sustaining business. This would also be a facility for schools to rent and use for Muslim students. We had a meeting with many leaders of the Muslim community here in the Twin Cities of MN, and they are very supportive of this project and are willing to support us with money, time, ideas as well as encouragement. The Ummah Center is an open and welcoming center committed to empowering Muslim youth and their families by providing gender specific health, social, educational and leadership programs and resources to build safe and sustainable Muslim communities.
Nevertheless, the proper question to myself is who give me the authority, and the role to initiate this idea and why do I think it will be the solution? As the founder, and Executive Director of Somali Youth Action of MN, a member of the Somali community of MN, a mother and a Muslim women I am the ideal person and in a better position to address this issue. But with the help of others from the community, and the cultural anthropologist's contribution, creating and bringing their expertise, such us collecting data, questionnaires/survey, conducting fieldwork and many other helpful tactics will produce the answer to and the solution to the initial idea I introduced above. In conclusion, considering such rationality as to Cultural Anthropologists, and their contribution, along and among the expertise within the community, we can paved the way to bring a better understanding and a better solution to this dire situation.
Bragging rights
"Common sense and intelligence; what makes a person a real genius." Wazim Shaw quotes






UMMAH CENTER IS THE SOLUTION!

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