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| Guest Name |
Salwa Abd-Allah
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| Profession |
African-American activist
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| Subject |
African-American Muslims Today
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| Date |
Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007
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Makkah
From...
08:00...To...
18:00
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From... 05:00...To...15:00
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Host
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Dear visitors,
The session has just started. Please feel free to join us with your questions.
After the session has ended, you can view the whole dialogue by clicking Recent Sessions, or the Archive.
For feedback and suggestions, please contact us.
Yours,
Reading Islam Team.
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Jerome
- Luxembourg
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Student
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| Question |
Salam.
What are the problems African-American Muslims face?
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As Salaam Alaikum.
Our problems are many and yet those blessed with Islam have the guidance of Allah. The racism in the USA is based on greed and benefiting off the usurped rights of others.
There are two historical examples that come to mind because they set the tone for the current situation here. In trying to keep America united there was a compromise to allow the slave owners to consider their slaves as 3/5 of a person in having representation in the federal government. Imagine what that kind of reasoning does to humanity.
In addition, if your "grandfather" didn't vote you were also ineligible to vote. Of course if slavery had just been abolished no slaves grandparents were voters.
Psychologically this cultivates an attitude in both the oppressor and the victim that is unhealthy and unnatural. Today in US you have people who cannot fathom "people of color" being capable of the same performance as themselves. They feel they are better because many have earned their wealth off the free labor and oppressive forced labor of these same people.
There is a real confrontation of values that they do not want to answer for. If slaves did all of the work in the colonial period of US development for example, aren't they the true artisans and craftsmen of that period? And to understand the circumstances under which they did the work, would make them extraordinary people.
Islam that many of the slaves exhibited allowed them to breastfeed and cook and care for the families that enslaved them. Then, once slavery was illegal, the slave-masters would cohabit with female slaves to make their own children the new workers to sustain their lifestyles. And there were laws stating that the child of a slave would take the status of its mother, regardless of who the father was.
For a decent human being these are some of the unthinkable terrorist atrocities endured by our ancestors. And, the other side is the story of how a people deal with such treatment. African Americans are often shown to the world as the "lowest of the low," but even until today with all of the accomplished African Americans here, there is still inequity most everywhere. That includes salaries, which is primary in a culture where capital is god.
That impacts the ability to acquire and in a society where status is measured in concrete terms, perceived status is a real determinant of how society sees you. Then there are the "mean spirited, abusers of information" who simply lie about those they disdain. For example, European Americans are the biggest drug and alcohol abusers in this country. They abuse in their suburban homes with their "bars" and among their teenagers with or without parental knowledge, and what you see on the news is usual urban ghetto settings giving the impression that this is what is dangerous.
There is inequity in education because the funds are allocated based on the neighborhoods and without equal access to cash there is no similarity in the educational experiences of the disparate neighborhoods.
There is also the obvious pre-judgment when any crisis occurs. The assumption is that the person of color is not the victim and the treatment received in such crisis further adds to the psychological reinforcement of whichever message is being acting upon. The nightly news is as much a perpetrator as the movies and videos showing lifestyle and value differences that are just "marketing" techniques and "idea shapers."
This may sound really generalized, but when the Hip Hop industry wanted to clean up their lyrics the record industry frowns upon the move and rewards those with the most degrading lyrics. The companies are dealing with raw talent, not sophisticated people capable of measuring the ramifications of their "moment in the sun."
The results continue to keep ideas from changing dramatically. Of course Allah is alive and always in control. Many young people of every ethnicity are trying to treat people as they would like to be treated. They show their support in the ways that they know.
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Samya
- Egypt
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house wife
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Sister Salwa, thank you for sharing us in this Live Talk. I think this subject is quite unique and the Media seems not to e inerested in.
I have read about Masjid Al-Qur'an and I wasn't sure if it was related in a way or another with Nation of Islam. Would you please try to tell us something more about Masjid Al-Qur'an. Thank you.
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As Salaam Alaikum Samya. Thank you for the question.
Masjid Al-Quran was the first masjid so named in USA. It was an outgrowth of the love the community has for the Book of Allah. We strive for ihsan (the ultimate level of piety), despite small numbers and have been blessed with many many blessings from Allah Almighty.
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Veronique
- France
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student
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Is there any discrimination towards the African-Americans recently?
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There is continual discrimination Veronique. I hope the previous answer will give you an idea of just how much. Because the US form of slavery was based on easy identification by sight because of ethnic differences, there has been a concerted effort to justify treating people of color inferior.
There is currently an effort to undo some of the Supreme Court efforts to equalize US institutions. The complications of trying to give a chance to catch up to the ex-slaves is frightening to many European Americans who can barely make it themselves. This fuels the fear and hate and blinds the victims to the obscene wealth of those really in control.
As the upcoming presidential elections come up, the world will get to see what the rich and famous really think of African-Americans as they clamor for the perceived seat of power in the White House. Under pressure people tend to show their true colors.
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Nicole
- Belgium
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Salamu alaikum sister.
Ma sha' Allah, I read your story, it is very inspiring. But I wasn't able to understand what is the "Fruit of Islam, the military arm of the NOI." Was it illegal? Does it still exist? What was the purpose of creating a military arm in the first place?
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Wa alaykum salam Nicole. Thank you for your interest.
The Fruit of Islam (FOI) was the male body of the Nation of Islam who received military training. I believe they still operate under Minister Farrakhan, but the numbers are quite small in comparison.
It was the 60's and racial tensions were quite high here in USA. It gave the racists cowards in USA something to think about before trying to "gang up on us" at that time. It was not illegal, nor was it aggressive, but it was a very courageous group of men intent on defending the community.
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Rashad
- Saudi Arabia
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Hello ma'am.
Would you please tell us about the da`wah (inviting people to Islam) in the African-American society? If I want to invite an African-American to Islam do I have to be sensitive to some topics?
I heard that there are many African American who revert to Islam but howcome we don't read much about them?
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As Salaam Alaikum Rashad.
Da`wah is quite easy in the US for African Americans. Islam, not necessarily Muslims, is perfect.
My approach is the miracle of the Prophet, the Qur'an. The perfection of the revelation is as potent today as it was when Quraish warned the non-Muslim pilgrims not to listen to the words of the Qur'an because it would bewitch them.
Even in English the meanings are so wonderfully liberating. We have many African American Muslims. We have a congressman, several mayors and judges, and wonderful Muslim scholars and many of who memorize Qur'an.
Al Hajj Malik Shabazz (Malcolm X) is pretty well known here. So, is Imam Warith Deen Mohammd, Muhammad Ali, Imam Zaid Shakir, Imam Jamil Al-Amin, Iman Siraj Wahaj, and many others. I only mentioned brothers because you are one. We also have our share of Muslim women.
One topic that is sensitive is not remembering that Allah tells us male and female are from each other and will each be rewarded for what they earn. Arrogance or condescension doesn't work well either. When you have a people that have been mistreated collectively, I suggest sensitivity in being fair and considerate.
Poverty and injustice are not funny to our people. We've had too much of it. And, even those who have been able to get out from under it have been affected by it. It's just a little worse that the imperialism and colonialism the Muslim world suffers from.
The way the UN is controlled by the security council while the rest of the world can be in agreement against that body should be sensitive to those so-called member nations. What is clear is the inequity. We called those born in Islam and straying reverts. Those who consciously chose this way of life, the beneficiaries of da`wahare converts.
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Tammam
- Kuwait
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businessman
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Salamu alaikum.
Are there any new statistics about the literacy of the African-Amercan Muslims?
I read once that a huge number of the African-Americans are illetirate and they don't have the same rights in education as other Americans, is this true? If it is true, is this result applied to the African-American Muslims?
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As Salaam Alaikum and thank you for your question.
The UN statistics say that the most illiterate people in the world are primarily Muslims. And this to a people whose first word of revelation is "read." How's that for irony.
I answered that way, because there is inequity in education in US between African Americans and European Americans. However, Muslim converts pick up the Qur'an and are taught that the first word Allah, the Most High, gave to us in the Qur'an was "read" and they act accordingly.
Not only do they read and get their educations here, but they also go to the Muslim world and get educated there as well. There is a national drive in America to end illiteracy, but the circumstances have got to allow those most in need to be able to benefit. There are advantages to having an illiterate populace and we must realize that.
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Kan
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What kind of common ground did the African-Americans find with the Nation of Islam?
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Thank you for your question and peace be upon you.
For me, and this is not the case for all African American, the Nation of Islam was my introduction to Islam. I never heard the word or saw a Muslim to know who he/she was until after hearing the "Islam" introduced by the Nation of Islam.
It introduced me to Islamic vocabulary, Qur'an and concepts and ideas that were completely foreign to me. My hunger to learn keep me studying this new world that had opened up.
The central point to both in 1975 when Elijah Muhammad died, was his son Imam Warithud Deen Mohammed. His father had made sure that he and the other students in the Muslim School in Chicago were taught Islam. They had a Palestinian to teach them, Arabic, Qur'an, Prayer, basic Islam as taught everywhere in the world.
Then, Imam Mohammed had the job of teaching it to the then Nation of Islam. All praise is due to Allah, he did an excellent job for more than 30 years and continues to enlighten any who really desire the truth.
Muslims are taught that when Allah loves you and wants good for you He gives you understanding of the religion. There are political ramifications of that history in US, but I believe Imam Mohammed is the common ground.
Thank you for your question.
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Isabelle
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Salams, Thanks for this wonderful opportunity. I had a question about the religious orientation of African Americans in general. In your opinion and through your experience, are African Americans more "religious" than other groups in the US? If they are, what differentiates their "religious" orientation (i.e. their churches, for example) from other groups of the same religious orientation?
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As Salaam Alaikum to you Isabelle. Thank you for your question.
There is a short answer and a long answer. The short answer is yes I believe we are more religious because of the need for that Friend and Helper that Allah alone is to us all.
We're taught in the Qur'an that when in need we're Mukhlaseen lahud Deen (Sincere and pure for the religion). I think that is what makes us generally more "religious" in whatever our religious orientation.
There was a public television special about the spirituality, with all of its diversity, of African Americans called "This far by faith" a few years ago. It spoke of the unique ways that we as a people deal with organized religions. Our involvement transcends the formal and tends to have a natural heart felt flow.
I hope this gives you some idea. As I end the comment I will give the analogy of attending a funeral. Attendees may be appropriately sad, but those closest to the deceased often find their grief inconsolable and they just handle the funeral in a much sadder way.
Again, we've learned as Muslims not to fall to pieces because of the Life-Giver, Allah, being the owner of everyone and everything and also the One in control. We strive to respect His will trusting that He knows and we do not know.
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Maryam
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Hi. In your opinion, are the social problems that African-American Muslims face different from those of African-Americans generally? Does being Muslim and African-American come with a specific set of challenges and peculiarities?
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Thank you for your question Maryam. As Salaam Alaikum.
Since you asked for "my" opinion, I will answer that every one comes with a specific set of challenges and peculiarities.
African American Muslims are of at least 2 categories: those who converted and those born into the religion. In my family alone there are three generations of practicing Muslims and there are families whose Islam goes back even further.
The converts have the personal jihad (struggle) to learn this religion in order to live it and also pass it on. This requires major social change in USA. One of the tactics of the slave-owners to attempt to destroy the faith of Islam among the slaves was to leave them with only pigs scraps to live on.
Their logic was if they would eat the scraps of the pig, they could be sure they had broken them of their al-Islam. The result is a people who think "pig" is the official dish of the African American. This is primarily want it means to have "soul food". That is one social problem.
The lack of modesty and need to show off is another. These are signs of the "psychology of neglect" produced by institutional racism. Often, the only consist work for African Americans has been entertainment. And, there are many pitfalls in these career paths.
So many of our people have come to tragic ends because of it. There is no problem for those who know that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, Alone. Allah is sufficient for me!
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Isabelle
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Salams, This is a follow up question regarding African-American Muslims in particular. Do you think that there are "divisions" vis-a-vis the extremism-liberalism spectrum within the African-American community? Do these differences mirror differences found in Arab-American community or are they different?
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As Salaam Alaikum Isabelle. Thank you for the follow-up question.
There are definitely the gamut of "divisions" within the African-American Muslim community. I think we mirror each other in our freedom to choose, to develop, to align ourselves with those who think like us or influence our thinking.
Arab-Americans in my opinion are newcomers. Their experiences back home are different. To the degree that we can align the experiences of slavery with the experiences of imperialism and colonialism there are meaningful similarities.
There are also differences that need to be discussed and resolved. I honestly see it as no different than the fact that I have 3 sons. Each of them is now and has always been unique.
That is one reason why I appreciate that Allah, the Most High, has power over all things and can handle all of the diversity He so freely gives us in our makeup and our ability to choose. Each of us needs to remember our accountability. We will be asked about our choices.
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Ayah
- United States
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Assalamu-alaikum dear Sister Salwa.
I have a deep love and admiration for the Muslim leader Malcolm X, but my problem is just that I feel his memory has been misconstrued. He is mainly remembered as a black nationalist. Furthermore, his memory has been highly commercialized. What can we do to highlight the true spirit of his legacy?
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Wa'alaikum Salaam Dear Ayah. Thank you for your question.
Like you, I detest the way Al Hajj Malik Shabazz's memory has been co-opted by every one. The communist, the black nationalist, the NOI, even our fellow Muslims overseas have tried to use him for their purposes.
I think we have to elevate him through our references to him and correct those who misuse and abuse his memory. The heart of the African American is a clean heart. That's why we could take care of our abusers and not poison them all in their food, or destroy their cash crops during slavery.
I know from by my own journey to Al-Islam that I would be offended if folks tried to continue to call me by a name "I paid good money to change." I suggest we start there. He was a brilliant warrior for truth and an excellent example of true change. We should study him enough to be able to explain how Al-Islam guided him and suggest that his admirers should follow the same guidance.
The Life of Malcolm X
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Veronique
- France
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student
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Dear Ms. Abd-Allah.
I have another question that I am curious about.
Do you think that the African-American Muslims are still connected to the idea of slavery, that their ancestors were enslaved by the white people in America? Do they still feel inferior to the "White people."
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Thank you for your question Veronique. Your question implies an answer but I would like to offer a different answer.
Yes, I'm sure that African-American Muslims are still connected to the idea of slavery. It's who we are. Enlightened people learn from their circumstances.
We are commanded in the Qur'an to travel and see what was the "beginning" and also the "end" of certain civilizations. We're told that Allah doesn't change His way so there is benefit in studying the beginning and end of societies.
Historians do this for us. The British historian Arnold Toynbee said after studying every civilization of which we have records, none of them declined until the moral decay started from within.
The psychological damage we have endured can be our blessing because Allah tells us that He answers the prayers of the oppressed. The trick of the modern oppressors is to try to get their victims to seek revenge, thereby negating their plea with Allah.
There is a story in our history of a battle in which `Ali, the cousin and son-in-law, of the Prophet was in a battle and the opponent spit in his face. At that point, instead of killing him, `Ali let him go. When the fortunate soldier inquired on why the change of heart, `Ali answered that he was fighting for the pleasure of Allah, but when he spit on him, it became personal and he didn't want to blemish his intentions.
This is the quality of human being we have as our example and when we work for the purity that they had, we will see the benefits that they are enjoying. There is not inferiority, but awareness. Many converts here are "white" people, and we are the sons and daughters of our father Adam.
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Finally, we would like to thank sister Salwa Abd-Allah for taking the time to answer the questions of Reading Islam viewers today. We also thank those who participated in this talk, and we encourage our readers to join us in upcoming sessions.
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