<p>American Islam</p><p>Note:</p><p>Classical view: Muslims should only reside temporarily in non-Muslim society.</p><p>Others argue that Muslims in non-Muslim society must engage in Da’wa (call to Islam – evangelism).</p><p>Muslims were some 10% of West Africans sent as slaves to the American colonies from 1711 to 1808.</p><p>Estimates of current population range from 3 million to 9 (many cite 7).</p><p>30% of all incarcerated African-Americans are Muslims (due to conversion).</p><p>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</p><p>American Muslim Council reports that 42% of all Muslims are African-Americans, 24% are of South Asian origin and 12% of Arab origin</p><p>First Muslim mayor elected 1991 (Charles Bilal, Kountze, TX)</p><p>First Muslim state legislator, elected 1994, Larry Shaw of North Caralina.</p><p>First Muslims judge; Adam A. Shakoor (1981) (Deputy Mayor of Detroit, 1989 to 1993).</p><p>First Muslim women judge, NY Supreme Court Justice Sheila Abdus-Salam (2000).</p><p>First Muslim congressman, Keith Ellison (Maryland-D) 2007. There are currently two.</p><p>Missouri Assembly three Muslims – two are women.</p><p>Organizations The Federation of Islamic Associations, formed in 1951.</p><p>Islamic Circle of North America (founded 1971). ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA (ISNA) dates from 1981</p><p>The American Muslim Council (AMC) was incorporated on July 12, 1990.</p><p>In 1994, the Washington based Council on American Islamic Relations was founded.</p><p>Muslims voted overwhelmingly for Bush and for Obama!</p><p>Almost all elected Muslims are Democrat.</p><p>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.</p><p>Integration – mainstreams Islam; works for welfare of society; participates in the political process.</p><p>Separation – mainly linked with the NATION OF ISLAM (demands a separate state/nation for black American Muslims.)</p><p>Confrontation: anticipates the “taking over” of the USA. Some “rhetoric” cited in Bennett page 184-5.</p><p>Accusations that Islamic organizations have links with terrorists/of “sleepers” waiting to be activated to attack US.</p><p>“Fifth columnist”</p><p>Post 9/11, some Muslim organizations were shut down or investigated, including CAIR (cleared). Complaints of FBI undercover agents in Mosques.</p><p>Military, prisons, schools, etc have accommodated for Muslim diet, prayers, dress.</p><p>One woman judge wears the hijab (Baltimore Master in Chancery Zakia Mahasa).</p><p>African-American Islam</p><p>Ahmadiyyah missionaries targeted and won African-Americans in the 1920s and 30s.</p><p>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.</p><p>Nation of Islam</p><p>Detroit – W. D Fard. Estaablished 1930.</p><p>Appointed Elijah Muhamamd (Robert Poole, 1897-1975) successor; 1933.</p><p>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.</p><p>The USA will be destroyed (white society)</p><p>White people belong to Europe.</p><p>Response to white on black racism/KKK etc. “the hate that hate produced” (5 part series by Mike Wallace, 1959).</p><p>May have had links with KKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p><p>Pride in Africa’s past stimulated by Marcus Garvey (1867 - 1949). Black is beautiful.</p><p>Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Society supported return to Africa. Had its own ranks and uniforms = black pride. Poole may have been a member. </p><p>God gave America to the black race.</p><p>Blacks should reject Christianity, the religion of oppression, and embrace Islam. Elijah Muhammad taught that FARD was God in the flesh.</p><p>Elijah Muhammad is the prophet of the end times.</p><p>The SHAHADA was in the name of FARD as ALLAH and Elijah Muhammad as prophet.</p><p>In his writing, Elijah cited the Bible as often as the Qur’an.</p><p>Drew on a range of symbols/stars/moon.</p><p>Also taught the dignity of work/responsibilities of parenting children.</p><p> Develops Afro-American identity and stresses self-sufficiency but within American society, as a separate Nation.</p><p>Ran schools, businesses, Muhammad Speaks largest black weekly.</p><p>Bow-tie, etc was to dignify members.</p><p>Fruit of Islam: the “military” wing. </p><p>Malcolm X (I925 – 1965) deputy and spokesman.</p><p>Muhammad Ali (boxer) prominent member.</p><p> Malcolm Went on hajj, realized that Islam teaches racial equality, not hatred</p><p> Denounced leadership and religion of Elijah Muhammad; was assassinated.</p><p> 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. </p><p>Muhammad Speaks became Bilalian News/now the Muslim Journal.</p><p>Attracted recognition as leader of American Muslims internationally; 1992 delivered prayer before meeting of Senate.</p><p>* Community of al-Islam in the West (75-1978); American Muslim Mission (1978-1985); American Muslim Society (1985-1992); American Society of Muslims (1992-.</p><p> Develops Afro-American identity and stresses self-sufficiency but within American society, not as a separate Nation.</p><p>Many Mosques have affiliated welfare/social programs.</p><p>Most enjoy good relations with local Christian churches.</p><p>American Society of Muslims ranges from 100,000 to 250,000. The revived NIO claims about 20,000 members.</p><p>© Clinton Bennett 2009</p>