EDITORIAL

Abstract

This is the last issue of AJISS that I have planned and edited. I have
been associated with this journal since we named it AJISS and coined the
term "Islamic social science." These years have been characterized by a
great struggle to define and to develop Islamic social sciences and to
identify scholam both here and abroad who were willing and qualified to
work for the intellectual reform of the ummah.
Being involved in a movement during its formative period is a great
challenge. Now that AJISS has been produced for ten yeam, the vision of
Islamic social sciences is much clearer, the potential writers have been
identified, prominent scholars in the related fields have been drawn into
the debate, and many young wseamhers are taking a cue for their future
projects from the issues raised in AJISS. We are greatful to Almighty
Allah for granting us success in this mission and hope that the journal
will continue to provide a healthy forum for intellectual dialogue. Once
again I have been called upon to take up a new challenge. After a decade
of mobilizing Muslim intellectuals and involving both Muslim and non-
Muslim scholars in a debate about the relevance of Islam to contemporary
life, I will be dedicating more of my energies to developing an Islamic
vision for North America in my new role as Secretary General of the
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).
The Islamic Society of Notth America grew out of the former Muslim
Students Association of the United States and Canada (MSA). This latter
organization was born and brought up in university campuses and thus
has a rich intellectual tradition and a great inhetent potential. The
Association of Muslim Social Scientists (AMSS), the ccqxmsor of AJISS,
is one of the affiliates of ISNA, as is the MSA. This makes the pool of
Muslim social scientists and students available to ISNA for developing
its plans and programs based on an informed analysis and a sound
methodology.
In the United States, we are engaged in community formation and the
establishment of Islamic educational, economic, social, and other institutions.
Muslims are playing a positive and historic role in making Islam
undetstood and relevant through their contributions and presence. The ...