American Islam

Note:

Classical view: Muslims should only reside temporarily in non-Muslim society.

Others argue that Muslims in non-Muslim society must engage in Da’wa (call to Islam – evangelism).

Muslims were some 10% of West Africans sent as slaves to the American colonies from 1711 to 1808.

Estimates of current population range from 3 million to 9 (many cite 7).

30% of all incarcerated African-Americans are Muslims (due to conversion).

Twenty percent of all Muslims live in California, 16% in New York state, eight percent in Illinois, four percent in New Jersey and Indiana each, and about three percent in Michigan, Virginia, and Texas, and Ohio each

American Muslim Council reports that 42% of all Muslims are African-Americans, 24% are of South Asian origin and 12% of Arab origin

First Muslim mayor elected 1991 (Charles Bilal, Kountze, TX)

First Muslim state legislator, elected 1994, Larry Shaw of North Caralina.

First Muslims judge; Adam A. Shakoor (1981) (Deputy Mayor of Detroit, 1989 to 1993).

First Muslim women judge, NY Supreme Court Justice Sheila Abdus-Salam (2000).

First Muslim congressman, Keith Ellison (Maryland-D) 2007. There are currently two.

Missouri Assembly three Muslims – two are women.

Organizations The Federation of Islamic Associations, formed in 1951.

Islamic Circle of North America (founded 1971). ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA (ISNA) dates from 1981

The American Muslim Council (AMC) was incorporated on July 12, 1990.

In 1994, the Washington based Council on American Islamic Relations was founded.

Muslims voted overwhelmingly for Bush and for Obama!

Almost all elected Muslims are Democrat.

In 1993, the crescent symbol was authorized for Muslim chaplains to wear on their lapels and Army Captain Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad, based at Walter Reeed Army Medical Center, Washington DC, became the first Muslim military. All three services plus Marines now have Muslim chaplains.

Integration – mainstreams Islam; works for welfare of society; participates in the political process.

Separation – mainly linked with the NATION OF ISLAM (demands a separate state/nation for black American Muslims.)

Confrontation: anticipates the “taking over” of the USA. Some “rhetoric” cited in Bennett page 184-5.

Accusations that Islamic organizations have links with terrorists/of “sleepers” waiting to be activated to attack US.

“Fifth columnist”

Post 9/11, some Muslim organizations were shut down or investigated, including CAIR (cleared). Complaints of FBI undercover agents in Mosques.

Military, prisons, schools, etc have accommodated for Muslim diet, prayers, dress.

One woman judge wears the hijab (Baltimore Master in Chancery Zakia Mahasa).

African-American Islam

Ahmadiyyah missionaries targeted and won African-Americans in the 1920s and 30s.

Daud Ahmed Faisal (d. 1980), independent Sunni missionary/evangelist won up to 30,000 African-American converts from his Brooklyn Mosque (est 1939). Some followers established a Muslim village (Ya-Sin) and withdrew from “American life” to avoid contamination.

Nation of Islam

Detroit – W. D Fard. Estaablished 1930.

Appointed Elijah Muhamamd (Robert Poole, 1897-1975) successor; 1933.

Elijah Muhammad taught that the white race are devils created by Yakub, a mad black scientist from the essence of the black race 6,000 years ago.

The USA will be destroyed (white society)

White people belong to Europe.

Response to white on black racism/KKK etc. “the hate that hate produced” (5 part series by Mike Wallace, 1959).

May have had links with KKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pride in Africa’s past stimulated by Marcus Garvey (1867 - 1949). Black is beautiful.

Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Society supported return to Africa. Had its own ranks and uniforms = black pride. Poole may have been a member.

God gave America to the black race.

Blacks should reject Christianity, the religion of oppression, and embrace Islam. Elijah Muhammad taught that FARD was God in the flesh.

Elijah Muhammad is the prophet of the end times.

The SHAHADA was in the name of FARD as ALLAH and Elijah Muhammad as prophet.

In his writing, Elijah cited the Bible as often as the Qur’an.

Drew on a range of symbols/stars/moon.

Also taught the dignity of work/responsibilities of parenting children.

 Develops Afro-American identity and stresses self-sufficiency but within American society, as a separate Nation.

Ran schools, businesses, Muhammad Speaks largest black weekly.

Bow-tie, etc was to dignify members.

Fruit of Islam: the “military” wing.

Malcolm X (I925 – 1965) deputy and spokesman.

Muhammad Ali (boxer) prominent member.

 Malcolm Went on hajj, realized that Islam teaches racial equality, not hatred

 Denounced leadership and religion of Elijah Muhammad; was assassinated.

 Elijah Muhammad appointed his seventh son, W. D Muhammad (1933- 2008).  D W Muhammad, as heir. He denounced his father’s religion (but not his social teaching) and established American Muslim Mission (mosques, Imams sent to Islamic Universities to study.

Muhammad Speaks became Bilalian News/now the Muslim Journal.

Attracted recognition as leader of American Muslims internationally; 1992 delivered prayer before meeting of Senate.

* Community of al-Islam in the West (75-1978); American Muslim Mission (1978-1985); American Muslim Society (1985-1992); American Society of Muslims (1992-.

 Develops Afro-American identity and stresses self-sufficiency but within American society, not as a separate Nation.

Many Mosques have affiliated welfare/social programs.

Most enjoy good relations with local Christian churches.

American Society of Muslims ranges from 100,000 to 250,000. The revived NIO claims about 20,000 members.

© Clinton Bennett 2009