[asma1234]

okay, i just wanted to ask everyone's opinion about sheikhs that live in the west - should they learn english in order to communicate with the youth?? or should the youth learn arabic since that is the language of the Quran and hadith??

the reason i'm asking is because my arabic is quite limited.......and i want to learn more about the deen, unfortunately it seems that the most knowledgeable sheikhs we have are non-english speaking (born & raised in lebanon/egypt/palestine/etc) and thus they only communicate in arabic. i've tried to listen to their ktubahs in arabic, but it's hit and miss........i only get part of the lesson, but not the other part - and it's hard to give follow-up questions since i can't really communicate effectively in arabic (since i have to ask the question in arabic, otherwise they won't understand).

does anyone else have this problem?? how do u deal with it??
i've tried to find good english speaking sheikhs......but they are few and far between.


and another thing, does anybody have a sheikh on speed-dial?? i.e. they are easily contactable.
if so, how did u establish the relationship??

since, i often have difficulty in getting in touch with sheikhs.

[nooni]

Originally Posted by asma1234

okay, i just wanted to ask everyone's opinion about sheikhs that live in the west - should they learn english in order to communicate with the youth?? or should the youth learn arabic since that is the language of the Quran and hadith??
.

they are the ones who should be learning english, not everyone else try and learn arabic. if its difficult on either side to learn another language then find a translator.

[Zam]

I've found scholars that speak good English who I find are very knowledgeable and who I have benefited from greatly. I don't have contact with any of them, except for my local imam who speaks decent English. Once you get to a certain level though it seems learning Arabic or Urdu is necessary to really progress in knowledge, though then again there are a lot of sources in English that are easily overlooked, though it depends on the direction you want to go.

I think any sheikh living in the West has to learn English, and should also understand the culture and life. He has to acclimate to his surroundings to benefit the people around him.

[PhDGirl]

Originally Posted by nooni

they are the ones who should be learning english, not everyone else try and learn arabic. if its difficult on either side to learn another language then find a translator.

Originally Posted by Zam

I think any sheikh living in the West has to learn English, and should also understand the culture and life. He has to acclimate to his surroundings to benefit the people around him.

Yeah, they should learn English if they plan on living here. It's not just to communicate with the youth, but also with non-Arab Muslims. I also think that someone at the masjid should be conversant in English for outreach activities.

[Revert]

Yes they should and people going the Arab world should learn Arabic.

[shadha]

It's just common decency that many people don't have. When you go to live in another country that doesn't share your mother tongue, you should learn the main language of that country. I have no respect for people who have been in a nation for years yet can barely muster a coherent sentence together in that nations main language.


shadha-

[zakk]

There is a difference between being able to communicate and being eloquent. Some of the sheikhs can really touch your heart in a foreign language, but in English, not so much. That being said, there are also many people who do not speak the English language, whether you respect that or not. There are many elders who live here with their children and don't really have an opportunity to learn English to the extent where a bayan in English would touch their hearts either. I think we are fortunate to have an expanding scholarship where there are not only many different nuances in delivery, but many different languages in which to enjoy them as well. More great works are being made available everyday in English as well, and there are certainly many translators available.

Sometimes people can only truly enjoy the benefit of something if it is delivered in an effective manner in their own native tongue. Whatever it happens to be.

[msmoorad]

salaams to all

these foreign sheikhs must learn english if they sincerely want to benefit their communities.
alhamdulillah , here in south africa we have hundreds (if not thousands) of aalims who have been born and raised here. most of them are under 45 yrs of age- so they know how to relate to the people. some of them are even in US, Aust, Canada etc. they are doing a sterling job- and they are in no way less "pious" than those aalims who come from Arabic/Urdu speaking countries.

jazakallah

[Salahadeen]

Originally Posted by shadha

I have no respect for people who have been in a nation for years yet can barely muster a coherent sentence together in that nations main language.

Dear sister,

I don't think you should use such aggressive language. Would it not be better to say "I think people should learn the language of the land" or "it would be really good for them to do that" or something with soft language...

Instead your statement is very harsh and comes across as intolerant and xenophobic...it sounds like the words of an anti-immigrant republican.

There are so many old people who move to America to be with their families...do you really expect these people to learn the language?

In regards to the thread in general, I think it is insulting in general. First off, almost all scholars living in the West do speak English...some have broken English but they do know the basics...some more than others...

But to point to them in an accusatory tone...well, this is not appropriate. If you have such a big problem, then go become an Islamic scholar yourself. It only takes about six years or so.

[roberto]

[quote=Salahadeen;90415]

In regards to the thread in general, I think it is insulting

I fail to see how a the question " Shiekhs living in the West, should they learn english?? "
can be insulting!

[nooni]

Originally Posted by Salahadeen

In regards to the thread in general, I think it is insulting in general. First off, almost all scholars living in the West do speak English...some have broken English but they do know the basics...some more than others...
.

i cant blv this but i agree with roberto.

there are sheikhs who only speak arabic or urdu. maybe u are fortunate to be in a community that has a shiekh who speaks ur language, but there is enough comunities where this is a problem. khutbahs, lectures, etc are only in arabic/ farsi or urdu. not cool for non arabic/farsi/urud speakers

the easiest solution would be just to get a translator. im sure it wouldnt be difficult to find one.

[Timbit]

Sure, they should learn English... but you can get a translator. And there are many sheikhs who do speak English.

[PhDGirl]

Originally Posted by nooni

i cant blv this but i agree with roberto.

there are sheikhs who only speak arabic or urdu. maybe u are fortunate to be in a community that has a shiekh who speaks ur language, but there is enough comunities where this is a problem. khutbahs, lectures, etc are only in arabic/ farsi or urdu. not cool for non arabic/farsi/urud speakers

the easiest solution would be just to get a translator. im sure it wouldnt be difficult to find one.

I know, me too. I guess there's a first time for everything.

The thing is, if it's not difficult to find a translator, then why don't we have one at Juma or lectures that are in Arabic/Farsi/Urdu etc? Or is it that the communities don't make it a priority? I've been to several in different communities when the lecture is 30 minutes long and then there's a two line translation in the end which is something like "don't lie and follow the sunnah". Um, thanks?

[iSHi]

I think most people who aren't native speaker aren't comfortable speaking in large crowds. Especially Sheiks. They want to make sure they're saying the right thing. So a translation would we easiest.

[roberto]

Originally Posted by iSHi

I think most people who aren't native speaker aren't comfortable speaking in large crowds. Especially Sheiks. They want to make sure they're saying the right thing. So a translation would we easiest.

Hm , but how would the Shiekhs know if the tranlation was correct?