215474_01-64.qxd:IH
6/16/10
12:18 AM
Page 47
guage. The diversity of cultures and the language barriers that often have divided Muslims is now the essence that keeps Masjid Al-Farooq strongly unified. The Chicagoland Strategic Planning
the region to develop a strategic plan for dealing with its critical social, economic/ business, and youth-related issues. “Although the Strategic Planning committee is in its infancy, it has been able to bring to-
The Jewel-Osco grocery store chain awarded the Urban Muslim Minority Alliance (UMMA) with its Hunger Relief Award and a grant for the organization’s successful food distribution program. Committee, an offshoot of the Chicagoland Shurah Council, has been working with African-American Muslims throughout
from the NoI, the credit for this transition goes to one person only — Imam Mohammed. As he methodically moved his father’s followers away from the dangerous ideals of black supremacy and God embodied in a person, Imam Mohammed began to build upon the best ideals brought by Master Fard and promoted by the Hon. Elijah Muhammad. One such ideal was the dignity and business concept to “do-for-self.” He dignified his father’s memory by referring to him as the greatest of “social reformers,” for from Elijah’s teachings the African Americans began to hold their heads high, shake off the inferiority complex heaped upon them, and even proclaim: “I’m Black and I’m Proud!” The Hon. Elijah Muhammad had taken a people who bore the names of their slave masters and told them to replace those names with an “X” until they could fully identify with their past heritage, thereby giving rise to such great men as Malcolm X Shabazz and Muhammad Ali. After teaching his community how to pray the five daily prayers, perform the jumu‘ah prayer, fast in Ramadan, celebrate the two Eids, and make the hajj, Imam Mohammed set the course for establishing themselves in America. First he proclaimed a “just cause” that allowed them to call America “their home,” showing them that although they had experienced the degradation of slavery, many souls — both black and white — had contributed to their ultimate freedom and restoration. He told them how the
gether the leaders of diverse African American communities to discuss plans for working together to develop programs
utter severance of their African past had left them no choice but to be born as a “new people” in the American experience. Therefore, their obligation began here and here they should build a “New Africa.” In tribute to their heritage, however, he named this new building after Bilal ibn Rabah — using “Bilalian” as an adjective to affirm the connection between the present ex-slave and the history of Islam’s origin by pointing out the transition of this ex-slave who had faithfully served the Prophet. Insisting that his supporters become politically educated and involved, Imam Mohammed lectured frequently on the “concept of true patriotism.” His study of the Constitution, which he then compared with the tenants of Qur’an, revealed no incompatibilities, further freeing our minds to be Muslim and American. If there were any need for political change in America, he encouraged his supporters to vote and stand as candidates to bring about that change.
for youth, families and the elderly,” said Dr. Bambade Shakoor-Abdullah. “The goal of this effort is to build on the illustrious history of ‘8 Centuries’ of Muslims in America (who were/are of African descent) and create the institutions that will enable current and future generations of African-American Muslims to make positive contributions towards the betterment of ourselves and others in American society,” she added. ^ IMAN: The Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN; www.imancentral.org), a nationally known Chicago treasure, was founded in July 1997 by Rami Nashashibi. This community-based nonprofit works on community organizing and advocating
any faith to pool their financial resources in order to acquire a strong stance and greater buying power, yet retaining their independent businesses. He traveled to Malaysia and Turkey for this very reason, urging his constituents to take advantage of the unique opportunities that Islam gave to them as businesspersons and to go into the halal businesses that Muslims should provide for each other. In the early years of his leadership, he established interfaith dialogue by first advising his late father’s followers to reestablish good relations with their Christian family members, as the Prophet had told his Companions to be kind to their mothers even if they were pagans — but not if they advise them to do wrong. His invitation by Pope John Paul II to the Vatican to address a gathering of 100,000 people, as well as his further strengthening ties with Focolare (www.focolare.org), an international interfaith organization, and other interfaith initiatives, enabled him to instill even
that she would put her life on the line before allowing anyone to take her children from her. Later on, others would advance this progression in Islamic education even further by naming the system’s high schools the W. Deen Mohammed High Schools. Imam Mohammed promoted further education in Islamic studies for these students by setting up programs for them to study abroad, first in Malaysia and later in Syria, under the tutelage of Syria’s grand mufti Sheikh Ahmad Kuftaro (d. 2004), at Abu Nour Mosque. Imam Mohammed promoted freedom of the press and the open exchange of ideas and free thinking by maintaining that the “Muslim Journal,” the community’s national weekly newspaper, remain independent of the control of those individuals who have religious or political power. As a result, it is the country’s oldest and longest-running Muslim newspaper. Imam Mohammed brought this community of Muslim African Americans full circle, rallying
Imam WD Mohammed studied the Constitution and compared it with the tenants of Qur’an and found no incompatibilities, further freeing our minds to be Muslim and American. He then went on to reinforce the ideal of “do-for-self” by creating business opportunities to introduce collective purchasing on as broad a national base as possible. He wanted his community’s small businessmen and women to be joined by wholesome small business people of
more dignity in the community. A worker for and promoter of Islamic education, he named his community’s national school system in honor of his mother: the Sister Clara Muhammad Schools. Faced with jail for withdrawing her children from the public school system, she had made it known
them away from false worship and the pitfalls of sectarianism and nationalism and to the teachings of the Qur’an and the example of Prophet Muhammad.
________________________ Ayesha K. Mustafaa is the editor of “The Muslim Journal,” a weekly newspaper published from Homewood, IL.
JULY/AUGUST 2010 ISLAMIC HORIZONS 47