Amal Al-Sibai

Saudi Gazette

 

Every month, a new social networking application springs up, drawing thousands of new users and creating a larger black hole to eat up our time. Facebook boasts over 1 billion users worldwide and Twitter has attracted more than 600 million users. In Saudi Arabia alone, according to research conducted by The Loft Creative Hub, 7.8 million people have signed up for Facebook, 1 million are on Linked In, and over 5 million are on Twitter.



According to a study by Experian Marketing Services, Americans spend an average of 16 minutes of every hour on social networks. Internet users in the United Kingdom spend 13 minutes of each hour on social networks, while Australians spend 14 minutes per hour logged on to one of these sites. Everyone seems to be hooked, children, teens, and adults. Many argue that the social connecting sites are not bringing people closer together, rather they are isolating people. On-line messaging is replacing the traditional but more meaningful form of human contact: visiting the sick, helping a friend in need, and speaking to an elderly aunt instead of sending her a What’s App greeting.



Staying in touch with former teachers, family members in distant countries, and Muslim scholars, does not go against the teachings of Islam. However, Islam stresses that a Muslim must put his/her time to good use.



How much time do we waste idly scrolling down, reading the sometimes pointless posts on these social media sites? How many times have we been bombarded with inappropriate messages and images?



Rather than using the existing social media sites that have their own set of problems, a group of proactive and bright-minded young Muslims have created a new social networking site, made by Muslims for Muslims and for anyone interested in learning more about Islam. In fact, it is great for anyone who wants to stay in touch with other people, through a no-nonsense medium.



The inventive group of thinkers that developed this new social media site is called Assalamu Alaykum Team (AAT), or ‘Peace Be Unto You’. The members of AAT are dedicated to working together to create an international community where non-Muslims and new and old Muslims can find answers, support, resources, and a venue for communication.



Their motto is: ‘United we stand; divided we fall.’



The team aims to establish an international academy that educates people about Islam, teaches how one can convey Islam in a proper and positive manner, and to help Muslims enrich their own knowledge. Their vision is of an active, educated, ethics-based, and connected community.



Where do you log in? Sign in to share and receive inspirational messages and to boost your faith, at www.dawahshare.com



“People love to connect; they love to share posts, pictures, and videos with friends and loved ones. My team and I wanted to develop a social media network specifically for the global Muslim community. After several variations in designing and web-page developing, Dawah Share finally came into existence. It is a social network opened to all members of the public,” said Rayan Arab, founder of Dawah Share.  



What makes it different from all the other lot of social networking sites and is there anything valuable to gain by logging in?



First of all, the administrators maintain stricter terms and conditions for the benefit of users, moderation, security, and observation.  



“This unique social networking site brings new and old Muslims and anyone interested in Islam on one platform, governed by Islamic guidelines and propriety. There are no indecent advertisements that pop up, as on other social media sites. There is no gossip, idle and false talk, or improper pictures, or images. It is designed to add value and benefit to the lives of its members. The content will help you learn something new about this beautiful religion each day and will keep your faith sky high!” said Arab, barely able to mask his enthusiasm and optimism.



It has far more to offer in addition to connecting with friends and family, such as: personalizing and privatizing your profile, creating quizzes, marketing products, creating events, attending events, video chatting, reading articles, conducting on-line meetings, listening to lectures, attending a webinar or running your own webinar, conducting voting polls, and more.    



The operating team behind Dawah Share is just as diverse as a Muslim community should be; with Mufleeh Sadique from Sri Lanka, Bibi Zainab Dowlut from the UK, Jason Blair from the US, and other team members all over the world; in Kuwait, Australia, India, Russia, and here at the heart of the Muslim world in Jeddah.



“Social networking is such a popular activity, that’s why we have created our own version. Rather than spending time scrolling through unnecessary posts, visit Dawah Share and rejuvenate your faith or learn something new,” said Arab.



Without our conscious awareness, we are constantly viewing messages so craftily hidden by advertisers that tell us to want more, buy more, need more, take more, eat more, and look more glamorous!



Logging in to a social networking site of a different nature with inspiring messages that encourage us to think more, pray more, fast more, and give more will be a pleasant change.