The Harvard Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) Hall witnessed an inspiring event titled "Effective Da'wah Strategies for Generation Z" on Tuesday (August 6th). The seminar raised the issue of the da'wah challenges amidst the onslaught of the digital era and identity crisis of today's young generation. The keynote speaker was Dukturah Huda Abdussalam Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani, S.S., also known as Hubabah Ummu Abdussalam, the principal of Dar As-Sayyidah Khadijah Al-Kubro, a Muslimah islamic school in Tarim, Hadramaut, Yemen.
In her sermon, Hubabah Umm Salamah highlighted the vital aspect of the da'wah approach, aligning with the characteristics of Generation Z. They are the next generation of the public struggle, and need guidance in the era full of distractions, such as identity crises, social media pressure, and religious doubts. Without a proper understanding of Islam, they could be led astray by extreme liberalism, atheism, and other ideas.
It was confirmed by Ustadzah Nunun Zainun, Lc., M.Ag, Ph.D., Head of the Moslem Scholar Department and Islamic Studies Teacher of Thursina IIBS. She revealed that Generation Z is exposed to various information on social media every day. It is barely easy to distinguish between right and wrong. This event was held to provide an understanding of the complete teachings of Islam. "Without guidance of da'wah, they will find it hard to discern between moral and immoral, therefore da'wah is immensely required to correct their perception of Islam, which is often distorted by the media," said Ustadzah Nunun.
Generation Z has great potential to become agents of change if equipped with faith and knowledge, the reason behind the theme chosen. Da'wah serves as a compass for life, providing direction and true meaning. It does not force the participants, the high school students in grades 10, 11, and 12, to become like the previous generations. They are taught by universal, contextual, and heartfelt Islamic values, aligned with their own understanding of the world.
There are many strategies students can apply. One of them, as conveyed by Hubabah Ummu Abdussalam, is returning to the teachings of Kaffah Islam. The value of Islam is obedience to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and he is a true role model as well as an example to be understood and adhered to. "The doctor Hubabah emphasized that Islam is a wasathiyah religion, a moderate, balanced, and fair, not extreme to the right or left, highlighting that Islam is rahmatan lil 'alamin (blessing for all nature)," Ustadzah Nunun added.
Furthermore, morals are stressed as the main foundation in preaching. Good morals often touch hearts more than words or lectures. Ustadzah Nunun said, morals are a crown, a characteristic of a person describing his heart. "Dukturah Hubabah underlined that one of the morals in preaching is tawadhu (humility). She told about the tawadhu of one of the grandchildren of The Prophet Rasulullah SAW, named Zainal Abidin," she said.
This is how the inspirational seminar was carried out. Thursina IIBS persistently builds the character of graduates who are intellectually intelligent, strong in faith, and gentle in morals. Young generations and individuals who are ready to preach according to their time. (sls/lil)
