[Paper delivered before the National Association of the Aged, Washington, DC.]
We, as Muslim, always begin our day and any endeavor with this
phrase, in the Name of Allah, the Creator, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful. The Quran
teaches us that He has the most Beautiful Names. He is called God by some, Elohim and
Yawah by others. Jehovah, Jah and many other appellations, all in recognition of His
Sovereignty.
There is a beautiful passage in the Quran which reads: "There is no God but
He, the Sovereign, the Holy, the Source of Peace, the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of
Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irrepressible, the Supreme, Glory be to Allah above the
partners they attribute to Him. He is Allah, the Creator the Evolver, the Bestower of
Forms (or colors). To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names: Whatever is in the heavens and
on earth declare His Praise; He is the Exalted in Mighty, the Wise."
(59:23-4)
For many Americans acknowledgement of the Creator, is perfunctory and of little meaning.
In the mistaken passion for the separation of Church and State, many even find such
acknowledgements un-American in any setting other than a Church, Masjid or synagogue. Such
acknowledgements, however, lay at the root of our heritage, whether we are Muslim,
Christian or Jew.
Further, such acknowledgment establishes a common ground for all of us, upon which we can
begin to build, or repair the relations we must have with one another if we are to live at
peace. We have chosen this introduction to our paper because we find it very relevant and
fitting to the question of racial justice in America.
We are all cognizant over the month "Black History Month." It is generally
considered a very positive introduction into American's memorial rituals, however, it says
something else. It confirms that we have detoured so much from the legacy and concept of
the Oneness of God that we have made the variations of our colors, speech, and languages a
cause for division, hatred and oppression.
Why should there be a "Black History" month? Why not a "Black History"
year? Until America is ready to include the history and contributions of all of its
citizens as an integral part of (quote) "American History," the "Black
History" month will remain what it is: something of an appendix to American life.
Turning to our subject: The African-American's Islamic Heritage, we will begin by
addressing two caveats always included in the historical tradition.: The eulogy of Malcolm
X (Malik El-Shabazz), and Alex Haley's classic work, "Roots."
It is interesting to note that both the life and History of Malcolm and the premise of
"Roots" establish the fact that Islamic is endemic to the psyche and heritage of
African Americans. These aspects, however, have often been ignored amidst the revel and
celebration of African-American "contributions" to American life.
In the case of Malcolm, for instance: His "militancy" is emphasizes while his
dedication to Islamic principles is played down. His legacy is attributed to his
gregarious personality rather than to Islam, the professed "source" of his
strengths. In the case of "Roots," that confirmed the Islamic heritage of a
great majority of slaves brought to America, the emphasis is muted in the movie version
and commentaries on the work.
The reasons appear quite obvious. Should the African Americans be able to see beyond the
"hero," imagery painted for Malcolm, or the "dramatics," of
"Roots," and begin to seek out the sources of truth by which he and the people
of "roots' lived, they would no longer remain "mentally," enslaved are they
are today.
For African Americans who were brought up in the church, for instance, a profound paradox
was placed upon their minds. God, or the (quote) "Son of God," was presented to
in the same image as the historical "slave master," blond haired and blue eyes.
For those over 50 and who lived in the south, is the remembrance of vividly the
contradictory themes about Gad, and about the lineage of blacks, or "Negroes,' in
religious history. They remember the commentaries, even used as texts by the preachers
that suggested blacks were the son of the Biblical Ham, and were cursed to be slave and
servants to white Christians, Jews and others till the end of time. Is there any wonder
that blacks are yet mentally enslaved today, despite their Phd's and MBA's and DDS's?
What is the attraction to Islam for African Americans? It is not just that it brings
clarity to religion, but that its quintessence embraces the yearning of every heart for
justice, peace and equality in the brotherhood of man. Islam does not make distinction,
for instance, between the prophets. (Peace be upon them). From Adam to Moses, to Muhammad;
to include Daniel, Lot, Joseph, Noah, David and all the rest; those known, and unknown, no
distinction is made other than the roles and salient qualities in leadership among their
people and among mankind.
The enslavement of Africans, and the loss of their roots, including their Islamic heritage
left them with a collective deficiency. These Africans, seeking true freedom sought to
find it in the Church--but for the most part found temporary pacification. As the
pacification waned over the years, some militancy began to develop and ultimately
culminated in the Christian movement of non-violence, led by Dr. Martin Luther King.
The Kind-led movement however was limited by the limited concepts and constrictions
embedded in the religious concepts spoken of above. It was yet playing out a
"master-slave" drama. It was an appeal by "inferiors," seek acceptance
and acknowledgement from "superiors," as human beings. It did not speak to the
kind of elevated concept of true self worth, social and collective responsibility as we
find in Islam. Consequently, we find, that after the euphoria of the King movement and the
Civil Rights "victories," the mentality of the African American today is still
one of "enslavement." The so-called "gains," it appears are all but
nullified or diluted beyond recognition.
The concepts planted in slavery and in the practice of religion, including the imagery of
God, remains at the core of social, educational and political dysfunction among African
Americans, whether educated or illiterate. It is interesting to note that during the 60's
"Black Revolution," neither the 'Negroes' nor the Black militants spoke to the
issue of self-development, collective economic programs, nor independent educational
initiatives.
It was only in the Islamic community were these concerns were emphasized and in fact
practiced. It is tragic, that even today the Civil Rights Movement has been unable to
successfully take up these initiatives. No study has been commissioned to study the Muslim
concepts and successes in self-help, at least not with the intent to put them into
practice.
The West and other opponents of Islam are strange in nature. They represent truly the
epitome of contradiction and hypocrisy. On the one hand, here in America, there is this
outcry about the "affirmative action," welfare, the crime and drug culture that
is allegedly associated with African Americans. On the other hand when it is suggested
that Islam, in philosophy and in proven practice has the answers, the opponents seek to
distract those interested with "alarms" of potential "terrorism." It
is even reflected in foreign affairs where, for instance, Algeria conducted a true
democratic election, yet when it is aborted by a military junta, there is no outcry by the
U.S. Why? Because the victors were Muslims.
Let me conclude by saying that Islam is not only a boon for African Americans, but for the
country as well. It needs to be seriously considered by American leaders when accessing
plans and alternatives being offered as solutions to the country's multiplying ills.
Imam Ghayth Nur Kashif
19 March 1999.
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[Currently, he is the Imam for Masjidush-Shura Washington DC. He was one of the founders
of the American Muslim Council and served as in-house editor for the International
Institute of Islamic Studies in Virginia, USA. As a writer, his writings have been
published in significant publications. He is listed in WHO'S' WHO in Black
America and WHO'S WHO among International Authors and Writers. His main interest
lies in the rise of Islam in USA and the effects of international foreign policy upon
Muslims in USA. He has traveled widely and has had acquaintance with such peer
personalities as Malcolm (X) Shabazz, Muhammad Ali and W.D. Mohammad, etc., all early
pioneers in the Islamic movements in America.]
