When one travels abroad, scrutiny of the media provides the observer with a different take on US affairs, especially concerning American Muslims. When it comes to Muslims in the US, black faces need not apply. Except of course Louis Farrakhan, leader of the “Nation of Islam” organization.
Completely absent of any coverage are the activities of black American Muslims and their leader, Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, of whom the Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World stated: “Arguably the most important black Sunni Muslim leader in the history of African American Islam. Warith Deen has led more African Americans toward Sunni Islam than any other person in history, before or after.”
Perhaps this is part and parcel of the pathetic Bush and Karen Hughes inspired State Department attempt to curry favor with the Arabic-speaking world. On the other hand, Usher and Beyonce are favorites of the Muslim youth, replacing Michael Jackson and Madonna.
This in no way is an attempt to denigrate what is still a strong Islamic society, but to just state the facts. Of course, Oprah is very popular here — everyone’s sweet black nanny. In over 25 years she has never placed Imam Mohammed in front of her audience.
Many of us, (myself included) bear guilt for this situation, as we don’t articulate as strongly as we should the wonderful blessings that Allah has bestowed upon us, the ex-slaves, by giving us sound Islamic leadership in these confusing times.
The taraweeh prayers in the Holy Mosque in Madinah were led last Ramadan by Muhammad Abdullah Amin, a black American Muslim hafiz, whose father is a long time community member and supporter of Imam Mohammed, and who comes from New York’s Masjid Malcolm Shabazz in Harlem — the mosque named after the late Malcolm X.
This is one example of continuous evolution and development of the following of Imam W. D. Mohammed’s community since the death of his father Elijah Muhammad in 1975.
After 31 years, the followers of Imam Mohammed have quietly established themselves in all areas of political life. On Nov. 7, Minnesota State Rep. Keith Ellison became the first black from Minnesota elected to national office. This appointment is in itself an enormous accomplishment. Minnesota is one of the coldest and whitest states in the Union and has a long history of progressive popular political movements.
Settled by Scandinavians and German Protestant immigrants, Minnesota gave birth to the early farmer’s cooperatives, the American Indian Movement and the Labor Movement. This liberal tradition is exemplified by such politicians as former Vice Presidents Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale.
A lawyer by profession, Keith Ellison chose to commit “class suicide” by courageously conducting a law practice dedicated to the downtrodden, disenfranchised and politically unpopular. By serving this constituency and demonstrating a strong commitment to social justice, he has been elevated to the position of a true “people’s” representative. He’s also a Muslim but he hasn’t waved the Muslim “flag” but rather committed himself to dealing with the intelligent concerns of a suffering humanity.
His being Muslim is a fact and seems to obscure all of the other issues surrounding his candidacy. To quote our brother, “everyone is something.” How many Jews do we have in Congress? How many Episcopalians, how many homosexuals? Is that their defining identity?
He has become a national and international celebrity. His Islam is questioned, but no national or global media — which has him under a microscope — will mention his being a follower of Imam W.D. Mohammed.
And now come the “carpetbaggers” from this part of the Muslim world, who try to claim credit for this “first Muslim Congressman”. These are the people who in 2000 ignored the cold, hard political calculation and “naseehah” of their fellow black American Muslims, who were not fooled by Bush and his ilk of right-wing neocons. They sold the US immigrant Muslim community to Bush because he “smiled” at them. They gave up some cold hard cash to the Bushites, who took it and ran to the bank laughing at their naivety.
These people were unlike the Somalians, who came to Minnesota in the 1990s and followed the advice of our Prophet (peace be upon him) by “checking with the locals.” In following the advice of the black American Muslims, they established themselves in Minnesota and are now a thriving and self sufficient community — at home in America and comfortable in retaining their Islamic identity and customs. They let “us” be their “Ansar.”
Keith is not an imam nor an Islamic scholar. He will, Insha’Allah, be a strong advocate for the concerns of his district — the poor, black, North Minneapolis community and the more affluent surrounding suburbs, including the predominately Jewish section of Minneapolis. These are the people to whom he is accountable.
At the same time, like all first term Congresspersons, he has to get re-elected, learn where the bathrooms are in the Capitol, understand House procedures, serve on committees and find suitable housing for his family in expensive Washington, D.C. while commuting back and forth to his home district to report to and address the concerns of his people. With the foregoing in mind, it would be cruel to place the additional burden on him of carrying some kind of “Muslim” agenda to Congress. What is that anyway, when we can’t even agree on moon-sighting?
What we can best hope to see during his first few terms is him following the excellent model of Chicago Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., who has quietly been re-elected five times. His first four years consisted of “target study” and he now has a solid legislative record and is a ranking member of one of the most powerful committees, that of appropriations.
We pray for Brother Keith Ellison’s success in Congress but we want to warn Muslims to “leave him alone.” We should be proud and root him on but please give our brother some space.
— Agieb Bilal is a US-based educator and historian. He can be reached at: [email protected].
