Articles of Interest 02/19/2007
- Only One Side of the Story. One of the things needed in the Muslim world is CULTURAL reform to stop such practices as Female Genital Mutilation, “Honor” Killings, and the conditions that lead to terrorism. Too many people associate what is quite frankly - and I know some will be offended - BAD CULTURE. If “honor” is lifted to such a point that one is willing to kill their children for it - even for invalid reasons. Because so few are taking these issues up in the Muslim world, people like Ayaan Hirsi Ali get to claim it as their own issue and put these things on Islam itself.
“Man akh, you can’t believe what those people are saying. This stuff isn’t happening” …
By age 14, Somalia-born feminist Ayaan Hirsi Ali had survived genital mutilation at the hands of her grandmother, a fractured skull from her Qur’an teacher and brutal beatings from her devout Muslim mother. By comparison, her father was kind. The Somali rebel, who had largely abandoned his family to plan coups and marry three more women, only meddled when it came to arranging his 23-year-old daughter’s marriage. When Ayaan refused, he disowned her. [MORE...]
- Eteraz is raising money to distribute english tranlations of the Qur’an
- Redefining ‘black’. This is why Sherman Jackson’s term ‘Blackamerican’ is more accurate description of African-Americans.
Although not quite able to pass for white, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has been able to pass for African American. He is biracial, but not white; black, but not African American; American but not African. What has entranced the country more than his somewhat vague policies is Obama’s challenge to conventional racial and cultural categories.
[...]
A good proportion of immigrants tend to be better educated than African Americans, don’t have the “chip” of racial resentment on their shoulder and exhibit the classic immigrant optimism about assimilation into the mainstream culture. Many whites, however, exploit these differences to magnify the problems of African Americans while avoiding charges of racism. And because these differences often result in greater employment and more educational opportunities for immigrants and their descendants, they also feed tensions between native and immigrant blacks
The complex history of black immigrant and African American interaction and distinction has been masked by a tendency in American politics to treat “black” and African American as interchangeable categories. It is further masked by an African American cultural politics that arrogates to itself the official word on racial matters. For black immigrants, African American culture can be as alien and as hostile as mainstream America. [MORE...]
To further illustrate the paragraph above, the other day I heard a person refer to someone that whose Father was African-American/Blackamerican and mother was Ethiopian as ‘mixed’.
In reality they are indeed two different ‘races’ and in fact that person is “mixed”, but socially that was the first time I’d heard a person refer to such a person as “mixed”. This will be interesting to watch…
Filed under: Race, The Culture of Denial and Pretense
Ayaan Hirsi Ali? Why should I believe her. Everything what she told to seek asylum turned to be a lie. And I’d be surprised if she is not circumcized.This woman is not even a Muslim.
You need to be updated, Tariq
She even can’t stop lying in her new book. This woman suffers chronic illnesses to lie!
From The Economist:
Mental illness, abortion, failed marriages, illicit affairs and differing interpretations of religion: much as she tries, the kind of problems that Ms Hirsi Ali describes in “Infidel” are all too human to be blamed entirely on Islam. Her book shows that her life, like those of other Muslims, is more complex than many people in the West may have realised. But the West’s tendency to seek simplistic explanations is a weakness that Ms Hirsi Ali also shows she has been happy to exploit.
http://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8663231
ayaan is a liar. it seems ayaan and AEI are perfect combination.
I’m sick and tired of RACE and RACISM!
I mean, look Cain and Abel. Was it not an act of racism that caused Cain to kill his own brother? No ?
Racism exists even your own family. Lets move on and concentrate the importance of life.
This victim mentality will lead us NOWHERE!
assalamu alikeum
There has been ALOT of cultral/social reform regarding FGM in somalia, only thing is, you dont get wind of it in the west or the western media unless someone white ‘professional expert’ or someone like ayan hersi ali/magdan says something. To say that nothing is being done is an insult to the hundreds and thousands of somalia women (and men) who have actively taken part to iradicate this from our society and inform the the population at large. Ayan Hersi Ali has jumped on the FGM bandwagon and used it as an opputrunity to futher her own self and career. She’s done nothing to actually stop the practise or help those who have tried and have been sucessful in for the last few decades.
Maybe if some muslim brothers and sisters stop relying on the western media and people for information and actually take it up with our own brothers and sisters, they’d realise we’re not ’silent’ and ‘inactive’ as they think.
p.s the issue of FGM has been one of the core topics in somali society for decades. Again its not a few people but many people, but if your waiting for the Washington Post or New York Times to tell you that, then keep waiting.
I think Tariq’s point is that Muslim voices in the West aren’t loud enough that it lends to compulsive liars like Ayan to take up one right cause. I heard Ayan on a radio interview the other day, and one Muslim caller called her out and confronted her to admit that FGM wasn’t an Islamic issue but a cultural one. Ayan was honest enough (perhaps one of her few truth moments) to concur, however, she narrated a whole list of Muslim countries that have it going. Furthermore, it does not seem that the government in these countries are doing anything, are they? I haven’t seen anything on Al Jazeera yet either to tell me otherwise, unless I missed it, which is quite possible.
If Muslim bloggers start talking about these cultural issues that are rampant in Muslim countries, perhaps it will get the attention of the media and they will refer to real Muslims, and not apostates, for being on the positive side of this story.
Finally, I do admit that it is difficult for Muslims to get out their positive stories (e.g. Muslims widespread condemnation of terror, yet never being enough), but at the same time, I have not seen this cause given enough time of the day in the Western Muslim circles or in the English-language Arabic media. Wallahu alam.
pps. FGM is not a ‘muslim’ issue rather a problem pertaining to non muslim and muslim societies in specfic regions, africa being one. It being a muslim thing s a big misconception thats been progated in the west. Same with ‘honour killings’. Its massive in south asia within muslim, sikh and hindu communties and even that is reflected in U.K but when its ever mentioned in british press, they only refer to it as it being a muslim/islamic issues, when atleast half of all honour killings/beatings and forced marriages in britian within the south asian community is from sikh and hindu commites as well. Also, with arabs, this is a problem in christain arab commuties too (as well as muslim ones) in jordan, egypt where women of their familes are killed and beaten if they get together with a muslim brother but again, this is never mentioned and those who soley rely on the media for information on ethnic and religious groups in britian, elsewhere and have little interaction with these communties will take the word of the media as an absolute, infalliable truth. Those of us who know better will know it for what it really is and will be more grasped on the issue but such people are few and far between.
salams
amad, muslim voices are loud bro, they just dont get a chance to air it. In order for media to be balanced it has to allow both ayan to say her piece and allow others to refute or aleast make their points as well, which we have not being give the oppurnity to do in the mass media (like tv, radio etc..). There’s enough people that could call Ayan out any time of the day, but you see if they will ever get any radio airtime to an audience of millions to do so!
Again brother, do you ned the media to tell you what to think, and inform you day in day out? some muslim countries and the muslim scholras have done stuff, but it hasnt been mentioned. The ulema at Al-Azhar in egpyt came out with a fatwa which explictly stated that FGM was haram and did so showing great islamic theolgical evidence. This was widely backed by many ulema around the world. There have been other big organisatiosn (muslim and non alike) that have dealt with this too. What doesnt make the headlines are the small groups and organisations, who do the main groundwork, who work on little funding, who often work for free who have been working greatly over many years to educate and inform people about FGM in countries such as mine (somalia) to a largely illerate and poor group of people. You dont hear about the books, leaflets, educational programmes or health vistors that go around in buses in the cities and go to the local people to breif them on health matters like FGM, Aids etc..
I’m not one to stay silent on such issues but i have to give props where its due. To make sweeping statements and continue to perpatute negativity about our muslims brothers and sisters day in and day out, when some know nothing about them or what they’ve done, is annoying to say the least.
“I’m sick and tired of RACE and RACISM!”
Goooood point GESS!
Amad basically said my point above. We should not allow this issue to be highjacked by the Ayaan Alis of the world who portray these CULTURAL problems as ISLAMIC ones. The point that it is coming from her should not cause us to go into denial about it.
Ignoring problems - whether they are about FGM or race - will not make it go away.
If there are balanced people working against things such as FGM and honor killings we need to know about these people and help them to spread the word against this barbarity.
I’m tired of RACE and RACISM too so from now on I’m going to pretend it doesn’t exist. We are all Muslims and there is no racism in Islam. There is no place for talk about race in Islam
Tariq (February 19th, 2007 at 8:15 pm):
Oh pleaaseeeee! Why did not you write first place then telling us now?
If Ali wasn’t able to use FGM as a way to criticize Islam, she would just pick another issue, let’s not fool ourselves on that point. There will always be something to use to further this profitable stand of Islam bashing.
It doesn’t matter, those Muslims, like muslim gal says, who are geniunely concerned about human rights are doing and will continue to do what they can to educate and try and eradicate this inhumane practice. Ali probably hurts their cause I think, but I doubt she’s very much concerned about that.
And the rest of us should of course not deny or try to sweep things under the rug. I actually think there’s been more awareness about this issue in recent years, so that is good to see. The likes of Ali will always be around, can’t do too much about it.
Why can’t I post a comment?
Test…
Last attempt and As’Salamu Aleikum
http://gess.wordpress.com/2006/11/27/explaining-differential-trust-of-dna-forensic-technology-grounded-assessment-or-inexplicable-paranoia/
I see what I made wrong, anyway this is what I wrote to Hasan:
You are right, there is no racism in Islam, but I did not say you should be color blind either.
There are people out there who wish to annihilate entire ethnic group because of their skin color:
Read these articles:
http://gess.wordpress.com/race-as-biology-is-fiction-racism-as-a-social-problem-is-real-anthropological-and-historical-perspectives-on-the-social-construction-of-race/
http://gess.wordpress.com/race-and-genetics-controversies-in-biomedical-behavioral-and-forensic-sciences/
AND especially this one
http://gess.wordpress.com/2006/11/27/explaining-differential-trust-of-dna-forensic-technology-grounded-assessment-or-inexplicable-paranoia/
Gess, if we don’t give these things credibility then it will not persist. I don’t understand the need to talk about race
We should be colorblind gess
If the people cling to the way of the Salaf they will not practice all of this biddah that gives Muslims a bad image. Racism? That does not exist in the Muslim ummah. nThe rest of this disussion is nonesense, if you have an issue that needs to be looked at then email the scholars.
Ali Ibn Sherman Ferguson
Gess:
I DID say that in the beginning when I said:
Because so few are taking these issues up in the Muslim world, people like Ayaan Hirsi Ali get to claim it as their own issue and put these things on Islam itself
How is that different from what I said in the comments?
greetings and peace…
Racism doesn’t exist in the ummah? If you mean it shouldn’t exist, I agree with that. Islam does not teach it, which goes to folks suggesting culture teaches/allows racism, and other “oddities” to continue. Sudan is yet another good example of Muslims not taking a lead to end the problem. Arab vs Black (as portrayed) ??? it certainly isn’t that simple as to most westerners, they couldn’t tell the diff between each group. There are quite a few good write ups which dig into the issues there where they touch on some of the things folks are mentioning, culture, ethnicity, and how people identify themselves…
There is only one race in the world, the human race. If anyone has blood that is not red, then he or she is of a different race. Enough said.
Ya Haqq!
Unfortunately race is and will continue to be a huge issue (unless your on Muslimspace then everything is a okay, non of them ever experience racism or have any issues - YEAH RIGHT!). Growing up on Long Island back in the 80s, we were constantly reminded that were black, though we “were different” from the other black folks (which I understand now from reading Umar and Tariq’s blogs, because we didn’t face the issues inner city blacks faced).
After accepting Islam, and loving the fact that Allah said the black is not better than the Arab… I got a huge reality shock when the Arab and Pakistani/Indian/Bangledeshi sisters would move away from me because they didn’t want my black skin to touch theirs (often as black or darker). Even when I hear the jet black somali sisters refer to other Africans as “those African people,” I am disturbed, I won’t even get into the things they have said about blacks, IN MY PRESENCE. I was hurt to find and experience more racism inside the masjids than I did growing up surrounded by skinheads and KKK - for approximately 10 years at the Hicksville train station there was a HUGE swastika w/white power (GRAFFITI) under the platform. Depending on which track one stood on, it was very visible. I hear ignorant things daily from my Kenyan coworker - she always has a story about no good black men (never met or dealt with any so I can’t relate and how black women are jealous she took one of our men, that’s why they don’t like her. *SIGH*
Then I have to hear one Arab brother say how his children hate black people (how Islamic!); and how Native Americans are this and that (yes, he was shocked when he learned I am Native American, we are colorful from deep jet black to the palest white. The further south one travels, the darker the native Americans are. Some are known as Freedmans. He continues to ask me daily about black on black violence. My answer is always the same, a brief history of slavery, oppression and disenfranchisement… AAAH yes, similar to the Arab on Arab violence which plagues the middle east/arab world.
Recent conversations with a Pakistani brother revealed two things I already knew. He said his country has a hatred for blacks, and they are taught black americans are second class citizens.
Sweeping issues under the rug will not make them go away. The outside world knows how racist Muslims are. I was literally internally defeated on one message board after posting an article called “Islam: The solution to to Racism.” I couldn’t even defend us because the sad truth is everything the others on the board said was/is true! It’s true when my arab husband brought me home, his family was like I though she was American (as in wishing for white). I was like yes Jack*sses, I am. Yes, I got the drill where are your grandparents from… UH America, and so are theirs. Funny thing, when my brother (who is not Muslim, I’m the only one in the family) married his Christian Arab wife, her family was very receptive, as with the Indian woman’s family my oldest brother married.
Yes, we need to talk about racism, homelessness, domestic violence, fornication, adultery, misogyny, and all the other social ills which PLAGUE the Muslim community home and abroad!
bint Will, the fact that you are married to an Arab should serve as proof. I feel that African American Muslims isolate themselves from the rest of the Muslims instead of coming to participate with muslims of other races. They want to talk about “their” issues while putting the Muslim issues on the back burner. I have to be frank and say that the world does not revolve around African Americans. Everyone else comes to the masjid and feels comfortable, but they always complain from this phantom racism. African-Americans come to the masjid for zakaah and no one says to them “you are black you can not have any”. They are treated fairly like everyone else.
Talking about these problems only makes us see things that are not there. There is no black or white in Islam and if we all give each other our rights, then things will be fine. If we see a clear problem, then we should take it to the imam and let him give a khutbah about it to try to solve the problem.
Hasan,
My marriage to an arab serves as proof of nothing, he’s just a man to me. My brother is married to an Arab, neither are Muslim. Another brother is married to an Indian, neither are Muslim, and my eldest before he lost his life (motorcycle accident) was married ot an Italian. I used to be married ot a white man, at that point we were both Christian, he still is. Mixed marriages are common in America, but not the norm as most tend to marry within their own ethnic groups - even within the diverse black community Haitans tend to marry Haitains, Jamaicain their own and so forth.
EVERYONE comes to the masjid and asks for zakat. I have worked and volunteered, even before uttering shahada at one masjid in the DC metro area and personally handle the zakat applications. I can say for a fact that just as many Arab, SE Asians, whites, and blacks have requested and recieved zakat. The DC metro area is unique in that the majority of blacks (African Americans) are affluent (remember PG County is known as the wealthiest black county in America). I have noticed a difference in the needs of the black community when I step out of my “comfort zone,” and go to predominately black areas.
Hasan, these problems exist. As I mentioned earlier I grew up on Long Island, Back then it was nice, we never locked our doors - still don’t, everyone knew everyone because everyone owned their home so we didnt’ have the drama of a new neighbor every other month. All of my friends were white (when I graduated there were 50 black/latino, and two Asians students in the entire school (9th to 12th), out of 400. All of my classes were AP and I have a Regents Diploma (not sure if NY still does this but it’s an indicator that you took advance classes instead of “regular” classes). During my Junior year, I was walking down the street. THe father of my best friend (someone I’ve known since KG) drove past and called me a NIGGER! That was the first time anyone ever said that to me, so no blacks cannot call me a nigger or bitch (they aren’t terms of endearment to me). This si when my ALL white people are good wall shattered and reality beat me so hard over the head… I knew racism existed because we saw the skinhead and kkk signs all over, even on the bleachers at school there was some graffit that read, “Kill all Niggas!” I was a metal head, so I knew it was in reference to Metallica’s Kill ‘em All.
WHen I go to the masjid, sisters will move their feet (obviously not the ones I know). Do I go and look for a nonblack woman to stand near, no?! DO you know what it feels like when the children of arabs who kiss, hug and smile in your face say things like, “black is ugly,” or act surprised when they come to my home becuase it’s clean (as if black people don’t keep clean homes LOL). Our children are our representatives…they say what we conceal. When I hear these children say these things, where else can I assume they are learning them? MOM and DAD?!
When blacks on black forums speak about their dealings with arabs and se asians, are they lying? NO! Just look at how freely some of us use the term kaffir (how can we possibly give dawah?)
Are all ARabs/SE Asians bad and racist?! NO! Should i feel offended by what one SE asian wrote in the recent edition of the Muslim link, “America opened it’s borders to Asians when it wanted professionals, it already had cheap labor via slavery.”
Are all blacks ignorant, undeducated and poor?! Are all our children born out of wedlock? NO, I’ll gladly introduce you to my family and take you around PG COunty. Yes, blacks have issues, as does other races/ethnicities. The Muslim community is in a shameful condition. There is one blind brother who comes to the masjid every Friday. One would think the brothers would knock each other over to get the blessing of ensuring this man arrives to and from the masjid safely. Instead, our brother has to wait on PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
Hasan, a sister was murdered two weeks ago by her husband BECAUSE the Muslims sweept the issue of domestic violence underneath the rug. When I first converted, I was married to one brother for a few weeks. He raised his hands to me. Fortunately I reverted back to what my daddy taught me, and he was reintroduced to my nine kaffir brothers, uncles, cousins, and father. There was no need for me to sit with the imam and discuss anything because I dont’ come from a culture where it’s okay for a man to put his hand, even in a joking manner, on a woman. You know what I got from the sisters - Audobillah and sister you shoud fear Allah. So basically they were telling me I should have stayed - HAAA!
When I was in church, and I will always respect the Christians for this, if a family said they couldn’t make it because of car trouble or something, before they coud hang up the phone there’d be about 5 cars in their driveway. Not with the Muslims!
I remember shortly after 9/11, my husband had an accident, so he couldn’t pick me up as promised. It was raining and dark. Did any of the sisters offer me a ride home, while they saw me standing on the dark street waiting for a bus? NO! I had my hijab tied back because at that time I was afraid, because I was previously pushed down the escaltor. Do you know a so called sister had the audacity to call me and tell me I was committing a sin because I had tied my hijab back?! She never bothered to offer her sister a ride to the New Carrollton Metro, instead she left her sister standing in the rain IN THE DARK! That day, my visions of Islamic sisterhood shattered as well. SInce then I call a spade a spade. We all walk around looking pious, but our actions dictate otherwise (this is what the outside world sees).
Most of the time when I’m stuck (guess I need to learn to drive) it’s a brother who gives me a ride home. Sisters turn the other way, and PRETEND they can’t, as they pretend they don’t hear another’s salaams because of how she’s dressed (lack of niqab or abaya).
Only by acknowledging the problems (whatever it is), then we can begin the healing and rebuilding of ourselves and respective communities. I wish I knew likes of Umar Lee and Tariq Nelson when I first converted, otherwise I would have known the danger of a stranger marriage and would have known not to take the brothers words about this pious man they married me of to. I would have known it’s okay to question, even question the imam instead of thinking those where Muslim longer or born Muslim knew better. Fortunately, I wasn’t accustomed to being mistreated by men, so I bailed when the first red flag slapped me in the face.
Well said, bint Will…
I’m tired of having to give that same speech when I hear the standard denial and slogan lectures from those who should just shut up and listen. I’m glad you wrote what you wrote. Muslims should re-read your comments before trying to expain away our experiences or dismiss them as trivial. Instead of going into spin-mode and damage control (as a lot of communites tend to do), we should just take it in and try to acknowledge this issue for what it is. A real problem that cannot be glossed over with a 30 minute khutbah.
I understand that there are problems, but all I’m saying is that the African Americans must work harder to integrate themselves into the Muslim community rather than complain about being on the outside. I’m not saying that all AAs ask for zakaah I was just giving example.
It is time for AA Muslims to see themselves as part of the Ummah and drop all of these other issues such as racism that have no concern to 90% of the Muslims around the world who are being oppressed. Racism is bad and unislamic, but it is nothing in light of the larger picture. If we see racism, just make du’a for that person and move on working on the bigger picture
As salaamu alaykum
Hasan,
I would like to admonish you about the following statements you made.
Hasan says:
“Everyone else comes to the masjid and feels comfortable, but they always complain from this phantom racism.”
“Talking about these problems only makes us see things that are not there. There is no black or white in Islam and if we all give each other our rights, then things will be fine. If we see a clear problem, then we should take it to the imam and let him give a khutbah about it to try to solve the problem.”
This concept of phantom racism or racism is no longer an issue, is one that always eats at the very core of me. My dear brother the reality is this, RACISM still exsist.
It is just as real today as it was when it was an institutionalized practice in this country. The difference is people such as yourself and others since they do not actively see beatings, and lynchings or white here blacks there signs, RACISM is phantom or no longer a major issue. RACISM is part of the history of America and will remain an issue for many decades to come.
Are you ready to accept RACISM as an issue relative to your Muslim brothers and sisters of darker skin in America and abroad or are you simply going to pass this on as something lingering from a time long since forgotten?
Understand when I say RACISM as an issue I mean the following;
—–Your Brothers and Sisters are not LYING when the mention there experiences both with and outside of the Masjid.
—–RACISM is a societal issue only remediated through the practice of Islaam
—–RACISM is an issue that ISLAM FIGHT AGAINST FOR MUSLIM AND NON_MUSLIMS ALIKE
—–For Blackamerican Muslim our people are BLACK and the vast majority not MUSLIM, but experiencing the same hatred and self-declassification as MUSLIM
Akhee, please do not judge our struggle, as phantom, when the reality is this RACISM still exsists!
Regarding your second statement, I think you need to realize we do not live in a Utopia. We will always have those that sin! Thus creating the situations that you write off as phantom.
An Imam addressing the issue in a Khutbah is by far distant way to address a societal issue. We are will work to build a systemic strategy to address the socio-physcological affect of RACISM on Blackamerican muslOur issues regarding RACISM HAVE BEEN WITH US OUR ENTIRE LIVES!!!! We have been the victims of RACIST practice from jump. Search racial tracking in google, I myself was victim to such RACISM in the 4th grade, when after passing a talented and gifted exam, I was not chosen however my best friend at the time and white with the exact same test score was chosen! These things are REAL and will continue to be real. Please do not dismiss these issues, these are issues of your MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
Mohamed Witten
Hasan, let’s drop all the fluff and stuff. How about Muslims work harder to live according to Allah’s guidance and fully embrace the AFrican American Muslims - make a huge fuss when we convert as you do when a European American converts. Didn’t someone say a while back that islamic institutes overseas were exclusively looking for whites and overlooking blacks who wanted to attend the programs? Seek us out when you speak about life as an American Muslim instead of white faces. I’m sure where you are from, but I can say with great confidence when you came to America (if you’re here) you came with preconceived ideas of black men and women. Correct me if I am wrong. Don’t ask our views on Farakhan or how things in the NOI are or insult us by using slang/ebonics because the average black american doesn’t speak in such a manner.
Now I must address you, as I have my in laws and husband on occassion - Do you have any black friends (not talking about aquaintances and coworkers)? Would you marry a black woman or your daughter to a black man? If you are married, there are plenty of single mothers who are in need of a good man - take a second wife.
Where were YOU and the rest of the nonblack Muslims during Katrina?! Oh, they forgot that saving one person is like saving all of humanity. They failed to realize this would have been the greatest opportunity to destroy all the negative perceptions about Muslims. AMericans would have seen the human and compassionate side of Muslims…but we missed this dawah opportunity because the victims were poor and uneducated blacks.
There are black families who want to send their children to Islamic schools but can’t afford to do so. I don’t see any nonblack Muslims breaking their backs to contribute to these children’s education. Do you realize you will benefit from the Islam that little brother/sister learns and passes onto future generations (even when you are in your grave)! Care to contribute to their education?
I have a friend who’s black, white and Cherokee. SHe will tell you firsthand about all the negative things she hears from Muslims about blacks (and didn’t Umar mention the Aghani guy who said something about a black man who entered the coffee shop?) Faces change when she mentions she’s black (remember this is america one drop of black blood makes you black whcih means Arabs, SE Asians are black too *SMILE* Just look at the hair and features.
My Egyptian friend told me that in his country he would not be able to marry his daugher to a light/white Egyptian. I know one Bangledeshi brother looking to get married. He is darker than I. He wants to marry a black sister, because this is his preference, but his mother wants him to marry a white woman. Why should a sister enter into such a union - we all know the MIL will cause some serious fitnah. Same with the Moroccan brother who keeps asking me to help him find a wife. Yet his family is so pious, but don’t want him to marry a black muslimah. Spend some time doing what I do and browse the Islamic matrimony sites. I even went as far as placing two ads (same info, but changed the races) poor black woman went unnoticed, the white had mail bouncing off the wall. SO tell me again what we are doing wrong.
You really have me laughing here. I remember one white brother writing on someone’s blog saying Arabs don’t like blacks because what they see on TV. This was also told to me by an Arab man. The same one who turned around and said the American media is bias and portrays Muslims and Arabs in a negative light. Yes, it’s true, but the reality is there is SOME truth to every stereotype. Though he is wise enough to realize the media is bias towards Muslims and Arabs, he fails to see the same when it comes to blacks… *FAINT*
WE don’t want any special treatment or anyone to hold our hands (speaking for myself), just sincere Muslims who will fully accept us as a Muslim brother/sister. Deal with us as individuals, not based on what you saw in the latest little John or Beyoncé video. Watch Headbangers Balls (if it still comes on) and you’ll see white women and men doing the same. Turn to Telemundo and you’ll see latinos doing the same. Why must we work hard to be where we aren’t wanted?
When that black Muslim comes to your masjid for zakah, why don’t you sit down with him/her and figure out how to help this correct their situation. Provide some long term solutions - sisters can stay home and make a decent living as a virtual assistant. In my spare time I transcribe tapes, the price is lower for muslims, for non Muslims I accept no less than $200 per tape/CD. If the sister has a license tell her to start a housekeeping business. If she can cook, tell her to cook for cab drivers and single brothers (or sisters like myself who REFUSE to cook but like to eat). There is NO Reason why our brothers should have to eat at McDonalds for lunch. If she’s a stay at home mom - BABYSIT! If she gets a license she can charge at minimum $100 per week per child! If she’s intelligent, tell her to tutor someone’s child. Give them long term solutions, otherwise they will remain in that vicious cycle. If the sister/brother is young tell them to go to Job Corp and get some basic entry career skills.
A nonbearded brother/non hijabi sister more than likely will hear more negative things about Muslims than those who wear beards and hijabs. I will never understand the struggle of a nonblack woman (but we have similar issues which as a group we must address collectly), but I can tell you what it’s like being where you aren’t wanted (I grew up in that type of environment, and refuse to subject my children to it). Black homes where burned down in Howard County last year because we tried to integrate into the white community.
May I suggest you read this book: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Like-John-Howard-Griffin/dp/0451192036 then you’ll understand, it’s easier said than done.
Stop using zinjee, monkey and other terms….
Muslims in Africa are dying and starving, suffering from AIDS. Darfur… where’s the outrage?!
As’Salaamu Alaikum wa’Rahmatullah…
Dear Respected Brothers and Sisters in Islam,
“Can’t we ALL just get along” ?!
“…but all I’m saying is that the African Americans must work harder to integrate themselves into the Muslim community rather than complain about being on the outside.”
Hasan I think you have it backwards. Which is more closer to our deen and to the way of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam): a Muslim belonging to a certain group of people working hard to be accepted for who they are by other Muslims or the rest of the Muslims working hard themselves to accept the person and to rid themselves of their own diseases?
Well don’t you think both camps have valid points. African Americans do carry chips on our shoulders and see racism in everything. I have had this discussion with other AA friends, sometimes we need to just let things go and live life. Its too stressful constantly trying to find racism in every thing.
At the same time the non-Black Muslim community, I would say they are more classist then racists, because people that I know who are wealthy and educated African Americans don’t have the same problems as the lower class group. But none the less there are problems. But from my experience these things happen most with “cultural” Muslims, Muslims who are strong in their deen and sincere don’t seem to have these issues as much. Again yes I know there are problems, muslims not welcoming American Muslims, can be very insular only socialize with their ethinic group, bring alot of back home politics and force it upon Ameican Muslims, etc.
With the marriage thing, I really wish AA’s would stop begrudging parents who want their kids to have strong marriages. Inter-racial/cultural marriages are hard and do have a higher divorce rate. The parents are just using their experiences and looking out for their kids. I don’t blame them. Because, when my daughter marries in the future, Insha Allah, if someone who is not American proposes I will be way more cautious than if its an American just because there are a lot of culture differences that can have a detrimental effect on the marriage.
Lastly, can we get some positive posts about Muslims. Because I totally understand we have to address these issues but I think its getting to be very lopsided.
Brother Hasan,
Excuse me but you seem very naiive when it comes to race-relations within as well as outside Muslim communities. But I cannot blame you, personally. It’s part of the collective, generations ingrained attitiude of a lot of Muslims (and non-Muslims to be fair). I have to second the sister’s question - how many black (African-American friends/in-laws/co-workers/classmates do you have? Would you marry your daughter or son to an African-American? Does it matter?
You see, the slogans about “No Black and White in Islam” and “There is no racism in Islam” is easy on the lips until your daughter says she wants to marry Bro. Abdul-Kareem Tyrone Jenkins.
And about “us” intergrating into the Muslim ummah or on a smaller scale our “communities” - I was born here, and so were my parents, and so were their parents. This is my point - this is home to me. Every cultural nuance - good or bad - is part of me and my upbringing. I accept being an American. I do not have to intergrate into anyone else’s anything man. If I move to Pakistan, then I’ll try to intergrate into the greater society. But I refuse to try to intergrate into any community of people who moved here from somewhere else. It is you all that have to intergrate with us. You moved here - we did not. I don’t like soccer. Can’t stand goat cheese and olives for breakfast. Don’t like thobes or Pakistani two pieces. But I’m expected to take on all of those cultural nuances in order to properly “intergrate” into a community. No thank you.
Thank you Rashad.
Umm Abdullah - intercultural marriages (which could be a black marrying a Dominican or Nigerian; white marrying a German; or Kuwaiti marrying an Algerian) are only hard because based on my observations women try to become whatever the husband is. Even with the white girls who normally date black men, you’ll find most trying to be black (which I find highly insulting). Common sense dictates if he wanted a woman from back home or his neck of the woods, he would have married one (if he doesn’t have one back home). I’ve seen it too many times. When I was on the wives of Arabs egroup, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “How do I become an Arab wife?” FAINT* SLAP… Even one sister on Muslim Space, who is a western woman wants so very bad to be an Eastern woman. She even posts ignornant blogs about which makes a better wife - eastern or western muslimahs. Apparently she missed the history lesson that teaches Peru is very much part of the Westh, though she was raised in America *SLAP* NEVER did you hear, “How do I become a MUSLIM wife?” I don’t cook arabic food, my husband eats Jamaican and Pakistani/Indian food (this is what I grew up on since the cooks we had were from both places).
Which is worse, growing up being called a nigger or in poverty? Some of us have lost our identity in the quest to “fit in.” One thing I can say about blacks who are less affluent and spent most of their lives in predominately black areas, regardless of SES, they don’t have the misfortune of experiencing the pain I’ve lived with for many years - hating myself because I’m black, it was even worse to acknowledge the native american ancestry. Striving to be what I’m not - white, never really fitting in or feeling a sense of belonging. Spending days pretending I don’t notice my brown skin. So what mom and dad both have masters, and my sister taught at Stanford and big bro is a lawyer and we worked on Jesse Jacksons campaign. The void of not truly fitting in was still there, even more so at the masjid when the arabs, SE asians and others remind me that I am NOT one of “them.” Outside my immediate neighborhood and family we had to prove our blackness, but one could was never black enough. My hair wasn’t “nappy” enough, so it was automatically assumed I thought I was better. The worse thing a parent can do is shield their children from the truth. My world crumbled when I stepped into the real world because I was not properly prepared. Same thing happened when I entered the deen - everything was sugarcoated. NO one told me that some of the worst humans I’ll ever meet called themselves Muslims. Some Muslims are denying the Holocaust… only a matter of time before they deny the atrocities blacks suffered during/after slavery - until 30 years ago. Do you honestly believe King’s dream was achieved overnight?! NO! It will take generations to erradicate internal racism (no matter whom it’s drected toward) passed on to us from our foreparents.
Remember what Michael Richards said about the lynching… In case YOU HAVE forgot or are unaware of what blacks have endured….
http://www.withoutsanctuary.org/main.html
What stays in my mind is last fall, during Sunday school and I saw an Arab brother punishing a little black boy. The punishment was… standing against the wall with his hands in the air. Yes, I did tell that little brother to put his hands down and our Arab brother he better not ever do such a thing in my presence again. There’s no chip on this shoulder, I just see things for what they’re worth. If we are all honest with ourselves, we would too. How can you be proud when someone tells you you are different or articulate? IT’s an insult to our entire race!
BTW - remember a few decades ago we had Tuskgee experiment. TODAY our girls are being forced to take HPV vaccinations. Our children are being drugged because they are SUPPOSEDLY suffering from ADHD. The truth is they are suffering from a lack of sleep and/or poor nutrition!
AGain where was the community during Katrina?! WHen black women were being hunted for sport, remember the book, “The Most Dangerous Game?” Every few years- last I’ve read was two years ago -black women and men are victims of this sick game.
Ok, you know, this is said in a the most gentle way, but I notice that Blacks who grew up in isolated from other blacks take things way more seriously than those that grew up in all Black environments. They tend to be much more radicalized than Blacks who grew up very comfortable with themselves and their blackness. Which is fine, probably your eyes were opened to things that you didn’t know existed, so you become very passionate about it. Hey I was like that too but I guess getting older has tempered it, well accept I didn’t grow up wealthy but poor in an immigrant neighborhood.
Umm, what exactly do you mean where was the community during Katrina. Muslims were awesome during Katrina. I live in the city where most of the evacuees came to and there was so much help and support here. People left here to go to Louisiana to help, there were thousands of Muslims who helped feed them and give supplies when they were living in the Astro dome. So what exactly do you mean.
What are you refering too. This is the only thing I could find about a book,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Most_Dangerous_Game.
Constantly harping on the negative blinds us to the enormous good that happens in the Muslim community everyday. Honestly I fell for this and I really regret it. I have resolved try to be apart of the solution instead of constantly complaining.
What is racism?
what is mine is mine and whats yours is also mine
I think you may find these series of articles of interest with respect to immigrant opinions about AA:
This is the last part of the series, be sure to read the first two to get perspective
peace folks…
At least it has been mentioned, its not just non-black immigrants who have some interesting opinions of black Americans. Ive run into several Nigerians, Ethiopians, Ghanaians who thought all black folk in America are on welfare.
Does the following not apply: do not judge a book by its cover???? I don’t’ think that is too simplistic at all to at least make folk think (on any side of this issue). You can’t know someone else’s story simply because they look like they MIGHT be from one ethnic group or another
My parents are Muslims. My father reverted to Islam back in the 60s while studying world religions in college. He is Native American and Trinidadian. He grew up on a reservation in New Mexico, didn’t really know his father until his late teens. My is mother is Guyanese. Her parents immigrated here . She was born Muslim, but didn’t practice it until she was an adult and wed. My parents have been married over 35 years and never once did we discuss racism in our house, it was needed. Did it exist in the largely SE Asian Islamic Center we attended? Of course, it did. But what my parents taught my brothers and I instead was to be good Muslims and all that it entails; having good adab, taking our deen and education seriously, having self worth and being respectful.
I grew up in an affluent neighborhood of white collar workers and most of my friends were pakistanians and Indians throughout grade school and college. I slept over at their homes even on weekdays. We played together, would cooked together, and had henna parties and eid celebrations together.
Growing up in the largely immigrant community that for a long time I was close to, I know that many of the problems that exist in AA communities (especially those with lower SES) also plague their communities as well. In fact, it was the pakistanian boys who couldn’t keep their pants up. Always being sent “back home” to avoid having to deal with the girls they knocked up and the girls were by and large non Muslims of every nationality, including Black American. The few AA Muslim boys in our community were too afraid of their parents to sleep around freely (though some did, but were a lot more cautious than their SE Asians peers). The drug use and gangster imitation/aspirations amongst the SE Asians and Arab youth who come from highest of SES is unbelievable and it affects their boys and their girls. I saw many Muslim kids forced into rehabilitation centers by their 16th birthdays, SE Asian girls forced to have abortions or locked away until the baby was born only to later give the baby away through adoption (and usually it was to a non Muslim couple.)
The biggest difference in changing these kids lives (who some are now doctors or in grad school) is that their parents had the money to keep their doors open patiently trying different avenues to assist them. Where as the AA kids, even those who lived in our community parents took a much harder approach with their children. Girls who became pregnant or boys found doing drugs were told not to go home. Islamic principles were upheld to tighter, Islam mattered, although it was not applied correctly. Major sinning was not taken lightly to. Most of their kids went astray, if not in dunya matters then surely in deeni matters.
And we all grew up together. Loved one another. Race was only an issue only to some of our elder parents or grandparents.
As I got older the only thing that separated me from these people was deen. The SE Asian , Arab and black Muslim girls who liked to party and get drunk all the time, I avoided and they avoided me. The girls who covered, attended Sunday school and would go to Islamic lectures, I hung around.
I know many reverts may not have shared my experiences. And I know that the revert community, especially the AA reverts have a lot of unique issues. But the fact still remains that the racism that is affecting the American Muslim communities is not “the” problem. It is merely a symptom of the real problem which is ignorance and rebellion of the deen of Allahu Ta’ala in all areas that is giving racism it’s sharp edge. Correct Ibadah raises a people and soothes the ills of the heart while maasiya can only take one further from Allah and closer into all types of wickedness.
On the small scale, one solution if you are a parent is to foster the relationship between the children upon birr wa taqwa. Be a role model and be involved with them. Start up afterschool programs that is a healthy balance of Islam and fun and then personally extend the invitation to everyone until they no longer any excuses to not join in. That is the easiest way to have an effect on those older, grochier parents and grandparents. If their kids like you, eventually their family will come around inshallah.
Yet, the real issue affecting the communities must be attcked by everyone in order for any real substantial change to occur on all sides. As Allah says in surah ar Rad that He doesn’t change a condition of a people until they change that whch is in themselves. Wallahul Musta’an.
Coincidently, I’m married to an Arab and I live in the Middle east now. Really, most haven’t seen racism until you’ve placed your foot on to this soil. Wallahul Musta’an. It can be pretty bad and I admit I was a taken for a loop (just for a second though, lol) by all of the open racism here. But you know, my mother taught me a wise lesson a long time ago: people treat you how you allow them to treat you. I could opt (sell?) out and pick and choose an assortment of different titles to package myself in and play the incognito role here because of my features. I choose not to. I’m a black American woman Alhamdulilah. Not Alhamdulilah because black is better or more than anything else, but Alhamdulilah, I accept it and even more than that I’m content with what Allah has given me. In response to my attitude of self acceptance I’ve found even here that the majority of the Muslims who come around my husband and I are balanced and those who suffer from too much kibr either say nothing or suck it up and smile at me with the respect I deserve as their sister in Islam.
>> “I have to second the sister’s question - how many black (African-American friends/in-laws/co-workers/classmates do you have? Would you marry your daughter or son to an African-American? Does it matter?”
You have hit the nail on the head!
Coming from a Pakistani background, I tell you we are racist…I have seen it in my own family, extended family…it is everywhere and it is sad.
The first pre-condition of beauty is ‘fair skin’ and it gets quite annoying. To be quite honest, it is not only Pakistanis, its the same among Indians, Bangalis, Arabs.
Sometimes I really want to know what and who started this ‘racism’.
>> “Sometimes I really want to know what and who started this ‘racism’.”
And surely, We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being), then We told the angels, “Prostrate to Adam”, and they prostrated, except Iblis (Satan), he refused to be of those who prostrate. (Allah) said: “What prevented you (O Iblis) that you did not prostrate, when I commanded you?” Iblis said: “I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay.” (Allah) said: “(O Iblis) get down from this (Paradise), it is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out, for you are of those humiliated and disgraced.” (Iblis) said: “Allow me respite till the Day they are raised up (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).” (Allah) said: “You are of those allowed respite.” (Iblis) said: “Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You).” (Allah) said (to Iblis) “Get out from this (Paradise) disgraced and expelled. Whoever of them (mankind) will follow you, then surely I will fill Hell with you all.” [Surah al-'Araaf (7):11-18]
May Allah forgive all of us, protect us from the plots of Iblis, and grant us Jannat al-Firdaws.
Yes Umm Abdullah, that’s the book. The purpose of the game is to hunt humans for sport. Every few years, you’ll hear about blacks, mostly women who are raped as well, being hunted and killed.
I can sadly say the DC Metro area Muslims did not collect anything for the victims of Katrina, but I have been asked numerous times to send donations to aid the Palestenians and Indonesians. I will never forget the Palestenian brother who need a job, we needed a janitor at the masjid. He looked at me like I was crazy and said, “that’s beneath him!” As a Muslim, one would think maintaining the masjid is the BEST job anyone can have.
Umm Reem, racism started with Ibless. Remember he refused to bow to Adam because Adam was made of clay, so he thought he was “better,” than Adam.
Funny thing is more white americans than black americans are on welfare - just visit the BLS.gov website. In Maine you’ll find the Africans (mostly Somaili’s on welfare). Same as in the DC metro area (based on the Somali sisters I know). Even the white Muslimahs I know here have low income (section
housing in very nice neighborhoods - Guess I better take a hint and legally divorce my hubby so we can in on the SCAM - j/k.
Have you been to rural america - it’s very depressing, just as inner city baltimore and parts of SE washington DC (basically inner city america). In rural america you’ll find just as many, if not more unmarried teenage white baby mammas. Yes - america’s little secret - just as America never tells the world that the majority of child molesters, including cases of incest and fathers having sex with their daughters) are white men (businessmen, district attorneys, doctors, policemen, lawyers, teachers, etc…), yet america portrays the black man as a rapist.
What’s the difference between embezzling, being a kleptomaniac, and stealing?
Think back to Katrina - the black man was LOOTING and the white man FOUND FOOD!?
How about using cocaine, heronine, vs crack? Do you know the difference in prison sentences as well?
Visit 42nd street you’ll find prostitutes of all ages and races.
Any difference between MS-13, The Bloods, Crips, the Mafia or other organized crime families?
When celebrities and other affluent folks committe crime, how many actually serve time (unless the police suddenly wants to make a statement - martha stewart, little kim?)
Then again, go to Saudi and you’ll find the Pakistani and Indians being treated like modern day slaves. So sad how colored (blacks, Arabs, Asians, latinos) are still victims of the old divide and conquer game. Why are our sisters destroying their skin by using soap that has bleach in it?
Problems exist in every community, I am only concerned about the plight of blacks (Muslim and nonMuslim), women (the glass ceiling is still holding us back and SOME of us do not understand our rights as Muslim women so we are abused mentally and physically by our men), and children (too many deadbeat parents and today I rarely see a happy children - even amongst the muslims - and don’t get me started on positive role models/mentors).
It’s interesting that some suggest all Blackamericans need to do is to integrate into the Muslim community, take the “chip off their shoulder” and things will be fine. I have to laugh at that one because I have mostly been in predominately immigrant Muslim communities. (Both Arab and Pakistani). Though I am Jamaican and African-American, I’m still Black. And no matter how “nice” I was and how many of the immigrant muslims saw me a “good sister”, I still faced MUCH discrimination. I was still exposed to some of the most racist comments I’ve ever heard in my life. To be quite honest, I have NEVER experienced such profound discrimination until I took shahadah and went to predominately Arab & Pakistani Muslim masjids. As bint Will mentioned, sisters not wanting to touch someone who is Black even in salaat. I’ve experienced that and so many other very painful things.
I have stood by and watched as my White and fair-skinned Latino friends have been fully and completely accepted into the Muslim community (with tons of marriage proposals). Even though I was such a “great sister” (with no children and a masters degree) the imam, my wali, had a difficult time finding someone to marry me because no one wanted their son to marry Black. (They didn’t say that but I’m neither stupid nor blind).
My point is, Black people (not just African-Americans) have a difficult time being accepted at many of these masjids. And to gain any level of acceptance a person has to dress a certain way, passively withstand some of the most bigoted comments, and work hard to gain the trust and approval of racist Muslims who proclaim to be so very pious. Why should I (or any other Black person) have to expose ourselves to such treatment? Is it any wonder that some Black people just leave and go off to create their own separate masjids? I’m not going to allow people to treat me like trash and keep coming back for more.
The biggest insult of all is for some of you to sit back and act like none of this exists; to dismiss what ppl are saying as “being too sensitive” or paranoid. Or worst of all, blame the recepients of this treatment for the sick behaviors of others. Ya Allah! The better question is: Why don’t some ppl stop living in denial and commit themselves to unlearning their racism? Challenge racist practices and comments when you see or hear them?
And don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that ALL Arab & Pakistani immigrant Muslims are racist. I think there are some wonderful Muslim brothers and sisters who are not focused on race and are striving to be good Muslims. I just wish there were more bros and sisters like that…
Salaam aleykum
I know this is an old peice but I just came accross it today. ALl the racism the sisters above are speaking of is complete alien to me. I am black also (Somali origin). I never experienced any racism from Arabs, Pakistanis, Indians in the UK. We have neighbours and at the masjid, we kiss and hug etc. The main cause is the lack of Islamic education. This needs to be rectified. Once we learn our deen, we can then appreciate the variety. In norway, There was a masjid where all the African brothers and sisters, Norwegian brothers and sisters, Arab brothers and sisters loved each other, shared the masjid, took turns to cook for the masjid during the ramadan where all the brothers ate weekends. A big party was held in Eid and I was fortunate enough to take part. Everybody of every colour enjoyed themselves. Same with Makkah, when I went to visit last month, no one cared the colour of my skin. We were all worshippers in the house of Allah.
I am not denying elements of racism exist, and it is a disease that needs to be eradicated. I pray that Allah cures us of this disease.