So explained Dr. Maher Hathout in his opening remarks on a night of enlightenment on Feb. 15. at the Islamic Center of Reseda.

"Reform and Relevance: Islam for the Future" was the topic for the night. Hathout highlighted many integral points on how to reform ourselves and how to make ourselves relevant within the society where we live.

In a brief yet comprehensive discussion, Hathout outlined five points of Reform:

Get recognized, be respected, respect others, become included in society, become effective.

Only after reforming ourselves, clarified Hathout, can we begin to become relevant in our society.

Relevance, as well, is a step-by-step process. Hathout charted out three steps: become important to others, approach others without bias, gain knowledge and skills.

The lecture left the audience revived and ready to put into practice some of what they had learned. The question and answer session pointed to the fact that the audience heeded Hathout’s advice and was making every intention of trying to ‘reform’ their behavior and philosophies and make themselves more ‘relevant’ in their community and society.

The event was sponsored by the Muslim American Society – Valley Chapter (MAS Valley) and was attended by more than 60 community members. The night launched the first of what is intended to be a commitment by MAS Valley to provide bi-monthly Friday night lectures for the San Fernando Valley community.

As the event came to a close, many community members expressed their appreciation for this regularly scheduled program and showed their interest in the next anticipated lecture. Most agreed that this was a spiritual, wholesome, and uplifting way to spend a couple of hours on a Friday evening.