Back to Basics: Where Is Allah? - A Survey of Generation Z Youth at the Canadian University of Dubai

The belief of a heavenly God is enshrined to all
Abrahamic religions which form the three major religions of the
world today. Muslims believe in Allah who is above the seven
heavens. The youth in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) study Islamic
courses as part of their high school curriculum and are required to
take at least one Islamic course at the university level to gain credit
hours towards their general education (GENED). This paper provides
an insight of what the youth studying in the UAE think of where
Allah is. Our analysis shows that a big number of Muslim youth were
not sure, especially those from the Middle Eastern and Arab countries
bringing to conclusion that this subject needs to be revisited again in
the course work.


Authors:

Keywords:


References:
[1] Vertovec, S., “Introduction: New Directions in the Anthropology of
Migration and Multiculturalism,” Ethnic and Racial Studies, 2007.
30(6): 961-971
[2] Herbig, P., Dunphy, S. “Culture and Innovation. Cross Cultural
Management: An International Journal”, 1998. 5(4), pp. 13-21.
[3] Tayeb, M., “Islamic Revival in Asia and Human Resource Management.
Employee Relations, 1997. 19(4), pp. 352-364.
[4] Sivananda, S. S., God Exists, India: The Divine Life Society, 1958. pp.
6-9.
[5] IbnQayyim, Shams-al-Din Muhammad binQayim al-Jawziyyah,
Madarijus-Salikin, al-Hayah al-Misriyah al-Ammahlil-Kitab, 1980. pp.
449-450.
[6] Quran (Chapter 2: Verse 29)
[7] Quran (Chapter 67: Verse 17-18)
[8] Quran (Chapter 32: Verse 5)
[9] Quran (Chapter 17: Verse 1)
[10] Quran (Chapter 35: Verse 10)
[11] Quran (Chapter 3: Verse 55)
[12] Quran (Chapter 40: Verse 36-37)
[13] Abu Dawud, Sunan, Chapter: Freeing a slave girl (as expiation) Book
22, hadith 41. English Translation Book 21 Hadith 3276.
[14] Muslim, Sahih, Chapter: Forbiddance of Talking in Prayer and
Abrogation of what was permissible, Book 5, hadith 39.
[15] Abu Dawud, Sunan, Chapter: About Mercy, Book 43, Hadith 169,
English Translation Book 42, Hadith 4923.
[16] IbnQayyim, Shams-al-Din Muhammad binQayim al-Jawziyyah,
IjtimaAl-Juyoosh al-Islamiyyah, Riyadh: Maktaba Al-Rushd, 1988. pp.
93.
[17] Ibid. pp. 123
[18] Canadian University of Dubai, “Inspiring Minds Transforming Lives”
Undergraduate Student Handbook, 2013-2014. Pp. 10
[19] The famous hadith narrated by Umar ibn Al-Khattab that talks about
Jibril in the form of a man asking some fundamental questions on
Islamic creed including the pillars of Islam, Faith (Iman), Ihsaan, and the
signs of the last day.
[20] Muslim, Sahih. Chapter: The Book of Faith (Iman), Book 1, Hadith 1.