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Cloudy with periods of rain. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..
Cloudy with periods of rain. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
Updated: May 4, 2024 @ 11:06 pm
With the year having come to an end, I wanted to share some reflections on the past year and some resolutions for the new one.
This year was a test for many. With the pandemic continuing to take its toll globally, we’ve seen changes to our lives as far as what work and even leisure time look like as we continue to learn to adapt to this challenge. I pray for the continued safety and protection of all and our loved ones as we enter 2022 alongside this test.
This year marked the rebuilding of many communities that were further marginalized during the prior presidency. Regardless of your political affiliation, a platform based on fearmongering and weaponizing xenophobia is toxic and harmful.
There is much work to be done as far as remedying the aftermath. While the work is daunting, it is crucial. I offer myself and the Burlington Masjid as an ally in continuing to fight against injustices, not only on the local scale but also globally.
As we enter 2022, I ask all to be openminded and more importantly open-hearted to meeting those from backgrounds that differ from yours. The beauty of diversity is that with each varied racial or religious background comes a varied lived experience. We can all learn so much from each other; we just need to be willing to listen and hear each other’s stories.
Many faiths have a concept that can be paraphrased as, “What goes around, comes around.” Typically meaning, if you do good in the world, in some way that good deed will be rewarded and if you do bad, then the bad deed will be punished. I cannot think of a better way to start off the new year than by spreading some good into the world.
The beauty of the new year is that it comes at the end of the holiday season. Many of us have enjoyed extra time off from work to spend with our loved ones. While it is great to celebrate and be happy, it is important to be mindful of those who are less fortunate.
As an example, our community recently has seen an influx of refugees from Afghanistan, who fled an unstable country and found themselves in our small town with little more than the clothes on their backs. There is never a shortage of those who need help; however, sometimes it is hard to find those who are in the position to help.
I encourage each of you to reach out to local food pantries, homeless shelters, etc., with whatever you are able to contribute. Whether it be winter clothes that have been outgrown, nonperishable food items, money, or even your time, give back and spread good into the world. Let us also help them by teaching language and work skills and then help them find jobs and utilize their skills to build our community better.
Shaher Sayed is congregation leader at Burlington Masjid, 1908 S. Mebane St., Burlington. Contact him at Burlington.Masjid@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Times-News: In the new year, resolve be more open-minded and open-hearted: Sayed
