2019 Theme:
The Lure of Greed: Seeking Moderation through Discipline
Greed can be found in all our forms of consumption. Whether they be material goods such as food and money or less tangible like attention and power, the notion of greed has penetrated all facets of our existence. We immerse ourselves in these paths with reckless abandon seeking satisfaction where it shouldn’t be found. While many of these things are necessary, our overindulgence in them causes us to stray from the ideal of moderation into an abusive state.
With obesity rates soaring, wealth disparities climbing, natural resources disappearing, injustice and abuses of authority reigning the headlines, it’s clear our gluttonous nature is destroying the stability of our world and its citizenry.
For this year’s theme, we want you to ask yourselves the following questions: When is enough, enough? What are our limits? Or how should they be defined? Why is greed so attractive? Why is it difficult to stay balanced? How can we achieve moderation?
The Prophet (saw) said: If a son of Adam were to own a valley full of gold, he would desire to have two. Nothing can fill his mouth except the earth (of the grave). Allah turns with mercy to him who turns to Him in repentance (On the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas and Anas bin Malik)
Greed can be found in all our forms of consumption. Whether they be material goods such as food and money or less tangible like attention and power, the notion of greed has penetrated all facets of our existence. We immerse ourselves in these paths with reckless abandon seeking satisfaction where it shouldn’t be found. While many of these things are necessary, our overindulgence in them causes us to stray from the ideal of moderation into an abusive state.
With obesity rates soaring, wealth disparities climbing, natural resources disappearing, injustice and abuses of authority reigning the headlines, it’s clear our gluttonous nature is destroying the stability of our world and its citizenry.
For this year’s theme, we want you to ask yourselves the following questions: When is enough, enough? What are our limits? Or how should they be defined? Why is greed so attractive? Why is it difficult to stay balanced? How can we achieve moderation?
The Prophet (saw) said: If a son of Adam were to own a valley full of gold, he would desire to have two. Nothing can fill his mouth except the earth (of the grave). Allah turns with mercy to him who turns to Him in repentance (On the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas and Anas bin Malik)
2018 Theme:
Likes, views and streaks: social interaction in the modern era
With the creation of social media, everyone has been delivered a platform from which they can speak to a massive community instantly. It has been used in a variety of ways: sparking revolutions, marketing, entertainment, communication, presidential rants ect.
This rapid exchange led to a redefining of how our society behaves and interacts with one another on a day to day basis as well as challenging well established mannerisms. People who once could never have interacted freely are now engaged in online discussions regularly allowing us the ability to consume knowledge and entertainment at a rate previously thought unimaginable.
Alongside this advancement, we’ve opened the door to vices that have been addressed throughout our tradition for centuries. The ability to snap or share videos and pictures allows us to publicize and expose not only our sins but those of others easily. This led to an exposure culture centered around publicly posting what was once covered and normalizing it. It has also opened up potential for exposing others for the purposes of bullying or intimidation.
In a time in which the majority of our society retains access to these platforms and regularly uses them, this theme challenges you to analyze the cultural trends of excessive commenting/speech, online debates, a redefining of manners/appropriateness, profanity, profane/explicit sexual material and the exposure of sins (one’s own or others) as they apply to social media. Think about recent movements across social media and high profile cases within the Muslim community to reflect on the issues listed above. Reflect upon the content of what we post, to the manner in which we’re phrasing it. What are ways in which social media can be used positively? What are the negative effects of it?
With the creation of social media, everyone has been delivered a platform from which they can speak to a massive community instantly. It has been used in a variety of ways: sparking revolutions, marketing, entertainment, communication, presidential rants ect.
This rapid exchange led to a redefining of how our society behaves and interacts with one another on a day to day basis as well as challenging well established mannerisms. People who once could never have interacted freely are now engaged in online discussions regularly allowing us the ability to consume knowledge and entertainment at a rate previously thought unimaginable.
Alongside this advancement, we’ve opened the door to vices that have been addressed throughout our tradition for centuries. The ability to snap or share videos and pictures allows us to publicize and expose not only our sins but those of others easily. This led to an exposure culture centered around publicly posting what was once covered and normalizing it. It has also opened up potential for exposing others for the purposes of bullying or intimidation.
In a time in which the majority of our society retains access to these platforms and regularly uses them, this theme challenges you to analyze the cultural trends of excessive commenting/speech, online debates, a redefining of manners/appropriateness, profanity, profane/explicit sexual material and the exposure of sins (one’s own or others) as they apply to social media. Think about recent movements across social media and high profile cases within the Muslim community to reflect on the issues listed above. Reflect upon the content of what we post, to the manner in which we’re phrasing it. What are ways in which social media can be used positively? What are the negative effects of it?