Why is music part of the structure of AIF meetings?
The Fellowship believes music helps bring the group together, creates a sense of common experience and lifts the spirit of each person, in addition to allowing a moment of reflection following meaningful dialogue. The use of various media improves learning and critical thinking. Music has been important to a variety of Islamic perspectives throughout history. Music is also an important method of human expression. Encouraging music as a kind of self-expression is important to the Fellowship. The inclusion of music is in keeping with the hope that each person will feel safe enough to express his/her views, even though there may be others in the group who might disagree. The mutual respect of opposing views is at the heart of the Fellowship’s mission.
