Head of La Romaine Masjid, Imam Yaseen Fernandez, is calling on Muslims to refrain from mixing and associating with non-Muslims, who do not follow the path of Allah. Speaking during Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations at Gulf View yesterday, Fernandez said too many people had lost guidance and were influencing Muslims into taking a sinful path in life. He said Allah had created Muslims as distinctive people. "Allah has given us the criteria and a position with distinction.
"This means our way of life, our system of life must be different to others, and must be totally in harmony with the guidance of Allah," Fernandez said. He added: "We cannot live like other people. We cannot be like other people. We are mixing, and this is what is causing problems. "You have been raised to change the world, to enjoy what is right and to forbid what is wrong. "You do not mix and associate; you must live your life as a complete Muslim." He noted that adopting the Muslim way of life would bring about a transformation in society. "This will bring about a change in ourselves, in our surroundings, and our environment. People will come and look for guidance." He said Muslims must reject those who went against the teachings of Allah.
"Others have been weakened; others have sold their conscience; others have gone astray, but a true Muslim remains strong."
He said no amount of money or politics should deter a Muslim from living a true life. "No political party, individual, religious organisation–nobody–can change the Muslim, because he remains straight on the path of Allah. "This is our position. Let us remind ourselves that the Islam we have today is because of the pious people who came before, the nobility and humility which they showed to us." He explained that Muslims were still facing the stigma of being labelled as terrorists and suicide bombers. However, he noted that if Muslims lived according to the teachings of Allah, such stigma could be erased.
