• Allah commands: Do not (even) get close to zina. If john and merry wish to intermingle, i have little no problem with it. When Mohammad and Fatima chose to intermingle under the banner of Islam (MSA), in such an instance i chose to have a frown.
• Putting a curtain would not be a bad idea, it is part of contributing towards modesty. After all, does the MSA not claim to be an organization that stands for the sunnah? Sunnah does not refer to Christen Beaver (or whatever his name is.)
• Since when families ‘must’ sit together? Sister (xxxxx), when you go to an event, are you the coat tail of (your husband)? Not in mind, but physically are you a coattail? Claiming that people must sit together because they are families is not established anywhere as part of religious protocol. This is a western concept — show the world that you are one happy family yet disrupted behind closed doors. In Islam, we show affection in a respectable manner — in private, not make a public spectacles of ourselves.
• If one lacks trust or are so much in love that they cannot separate, they should stay at home. In-fact i find this line of reasoning an insult to the institution of trust, family marriage and woman.
• I have no problem with families sitting together. On a playful note,why not have an area for cuddly families too, another area that is divided for those that chose a higher level of modesty, etc. Under the guise of religion, I cannot promote an area of kisses and hugs — except for the type that comes in the form of Hershey chocolates. I am sorry. As you are aware, some cultures find it an embarrassment for a woman to sit with her husband in public. Should we not take them into account as well?
• A sister that flaunts herself is not viewed as wanting attention, yet a sister that sits behind a curtain is viewed as a possible attention seeker. Mind you, i am also assuming that the sister behind the curtain would not be able to be seen by men or glamor girls that wish to be seen! So attention from whom are the curtained girls seeking their fame (or flame) from? From catty sisters that peek at her and then laugh at her? Does she really want to be acknowledged by such Muslimahs anyway? Is it not sin enough to be liked by the one that sins in public and demands its acceptance. How about some self-esteem folks. It all comes down to priorities! I can tell, we are dealing with a group of ‘geniuses.’ MSA think-tank has stooped to a new low! Some may prematurely claim, next generation is not to have many philosophers or lawyers either! Congratulations! Or congratulations?

Observe the following at any (youth) conference:

*Observe where the boys stand and the girls walk. Observe who followers whom etc. Men and woman come to MSA in part to scout members of the opposite gender. I have no problem with Muslim boys and girls seeking partners in the proper manner. But folks, do not make yourself similar to an open orange that has flies sitting on it. Better ways to meet a partner than running behind girls/boys that are attempting to use the restroom (or stare at your future mate while they are eating a sandwich with mustard stain on their lips.)
*I have little problem joining such meetings. However, i have discussed this matter repeatedly with MSAers. Be it the last MSA group as well as this one. Folks of both years seem to be confused on simple yet clear matters. No clue if the confusion is from leadership or a roll over from the previous year’s leadership.

*Kindly hand this matter to Shiek Ali and Br Yassir for an added Muslim response. I am confidant the answer would be as follows: in the conditions of fitna, separation would be best between younger men and woman possessing desire. You are welcome to read this informal memo out at your meeting.

Wasalam

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