EDITORIAL

Abstract

This is the last issue of AJISS that I have planned and edited. I havebeen associated with this journal since we named it AJISS and coined theterm "Islamic social science." These years have been characterized by agreat struggle to define and to develop Islamic social sciences and toidentify scholam both here and abroad who were willing and qualified towork for the intellectual reform of the ummah.Being involved in a movement during its formative period is a greatchallenge. Now that AJISS has been produced for ten yeam, the vision ofIslamic social sciences is much clearer, the potential writers have beenidentified, prominent scholars in the related fields have been drawn intothe debate, and many young wseamhers are taking a cue for their futureprojects from the issues raised in AJISS. We are greatful to AlmightyAllah for granting us success in this mission and hope that the journalwill continue to provide a healthy forum for intellectual dialogue. Onceagain I have been called upon to take up a new challenge. After a decadeof mobilizing Muslim intellectuals and involving both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars in a debate about the relevance of Islam to contemporarylife, I will be dedicating more of my energies to developing an Islamicvision for North America in my new role as Secretary General of theIslamic Society of North America (ISNA).The Islamic Society of Notth America grew out of the former MuslimStudents Association of the United States and Canada (MSA). This latterorganization was born and brought up in university campuses and thushas a rich intellectual tradition and a great inhetent potential. TheAssociation of Muslim Social Scientists (AMSS), the ccqxmsor of AJISS,is one of the affiliates of ISNA, as is the MSA. This makes the pool ofMuslim social scientists and students available to ISNA for developingits plans and programs based on an informed analysis and a soundmethodology.In the United States, we are engaged in community formation and theestablishment of Islamic educational, economic, social, and other institutions.Muslims are playing a positive and historic role in making Islamundetstood and relevant through their contributions and presence. The ...