NassirUDeen writes "I will lose 10 lbs"; "I will exercise more"; "I will spend my money more carefully" - these are just some examples of the kind of resolutions many of us make at various time markers in our lives, most notably, at the beginning of a new year. But for most Muslims, while the goals we set are usually praiseworthy, few, if any, are aimed at contributing to Islam on a community level.

We might, for instance, aim to read more Islamic books or give more in charity. But we wouldn't intend to teach at the local weekend Islamic school and share our knowledge or devote our time, not just our money, to a Masjid building project. It's time to focus not just on our own personal development. We've got to start considering what we can do for Islam in our community and for the Ummah in general.

Below are 6 ideas that you can use or simply check out to jump start your own thinking and planning process to develop resolutions.

1. Learn about conflict resolution
Remember the fights in the Masjid? Or the wonderful active sister who left the Masjid because of a dispute with the Board of Directors? What about the brother who was a great teacher at the Islamic school until the administration decided to reduce his salary without informing him well in advance?

These are all cases where conflict resolution could have come in handy. There is a crying need for Muslims who can negotiate and mediate amongst Muslims. This is a skill every Muslim community needs to invest in.

It's also a skill you should consider developing. You could do a degree in conflict resolution, but you don't have to go that far. You can attend seminars and/or one-day classes. Business schools may offer a course a few weeks long in conflict resolution. Consider gaining and taking these skills to the Masjid and to your local Islamic center.

2. Increase your time for
the Masjid

It's easy to drop a couple of dollars in a Masjid donation box, but it's not so easy to devote a couple of hours every few weeks to Dawa to the Masjid's neighbors.

When was the last time your Masjid had an open house? When were your non Muslim friends invited to attend a party in the Masjid? While everyone in Masjids is ready to work on a Masjid building or a school project, there are very few who are willing to spare time for neighborhood relations or media communication. Many times there is no one available to properly handle inquires left on the Masjid's answering machine.

Time is our greatest resource, not money. Devote yours to causes that deserve it. Also remember that when you are giving time to the Masjid, your input and ideas are also more likely to be considered by its administration.

3. Make your Muslim organizations more open to feedback and accountability

Have things been running the same way for years at your local Islamic center? You know, disorganized, or closed off, with a couple of people having the only say in all matters?

Many, many Masjids and Islamic centers lack management and organizational skills. They are run by an elite group of people who make all of the decisions without proper consultation with the community. They are also not held accountable for what they do or how the money coming into the Masjid or organization is spent. This doesn't mean that everything they are doing is wrong. But there needs to be a more transparent and open system that will benefit all Muslims in the community, the male and the female, the young and the old, the immigrant and the Muslim born in America, etc.

You can help start the process of change. This, of course, has to be done with plenty of wisdom and patience. But you and others will benefit from working to make your Islamic organization more open and accountable to the community

4. Adopt a Muslim issue which few pay attention to

This commitment doesn't have to be for a whole year. It can be for only three months if you like. The aim is simply to develop a specialization in a specific area of need and benefit to Muslims.

One of the best is the assault on Muslim civil rights in America. It's here, it's real, all of those involved in the issue are accessible, and you can see the results of your efforts more easily. But don't stop there. You can also choose other areas of the world and issues that Muslims have ignored or given sparse attention to lately: Kashmir, Chechnya, the plight of Muslims in India, environmental issues and domestic violence are all some examples.

5. Plan for Islam in your kids classroom and your workplace

Ramadan and Eid are no longer unknown to many non-Muslims in America. They are now mentioned along with Christmas and Hannukah, as media coverage of Ramadan this year indicates.

That said, though, there will always be that new student, your child's teacher next year, or a boss and coworker who need to know about our celebrations, as well as issues which concern us.

One good project to work on is creating more awareness of Islam in schools and the workplace. There are still issues which cause misunderstanding and confusion. Hijab, prayer and Friday prayers are still issues of contention in a number of workplaces and schools.

6. Develop writing and production skills

Yes, it's a cliché to say that Muslims have too many doctors and engineers and not enough writers. But this needs to be said over and over because it seems we've made little headway as an Ummah in this area. English is the lingua franca of the world, and unless Muslims develop their skills and talents in the field of writing and communication in this language, we will have lost a tremendous Dawa opportunity.

Sign up for writing classes. Check out your local library or community center for free or low-cost classes and seminars. Read, read, read. Write letters to the editor, editorials, and more. And if you want to submit your work for the web, please send it to us at Islam For Today.. We'll post the best writing InshaAllah!

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