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Yeah, Mr. Smiley. Made it through the entire Trump presidency without being enslaved. Imagine that.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Back Of The Camel


Over the weekend I saw this article entitled: Between Black and Immigrant Muslims, an Uneasy Alliance Which had some very out there inaccuracies which appear to have been the fault of those interviewed rather than that of the NY Times. I'm using the phrase "Back of the Camel", which is normally a phrase I wouldn't use in reference to African-American Muslims, because I generally think it to be insensitive, but it is exactly what came to mind when I read the full article.


In brief, the Harlem Imam, Al-Hajj Talib ‘Abdur-Rashid, has been out ingratiating himself to Muslims of other nationalities in order to grow his Mosque, among other things. In the process of trying to get funds for his Mosque, and in the background of this article a number of rank inaccurate statements went completely unchallenged by the NY Times which I feel really needs to be set straight.


Let me start with this near opening statement:

For many African-American converts, Islam is an experience both spiritual and political, an expression of empowerment in a country they feel is dominated by a white elite. For many immigrant Muslims, Islam is an inherited identity, and America a place of assimilation and prosperity.


This italicized portion is one of my issues with many African-Americans who convert to Islam, the perception that it is a black thing to do and is THE credible act of resistance to White Supremacy. Much of this is due to the work of the Nation Of Islam and more importantly Malcolm X. There are many African-Americans who are Muslims today on the strength of Malcolm X's Auto-Biography, including Al-Hajj Talib ‘Abdur-Rashid. He says of his converstion:


Raised a Christian, he spent the first part of his youth in segregated North Carolina. As a teenager, he read “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” twice. He began educating himself about the faith at age 19, when as an aspiring actor he was cast in a play about a man who had left the Nation of Islam.


But his conversion was more spiritual than political, he said.


“I’d like to think that even if I was a white man, I’d still be a Muslim because that’s the orientation of my soul,” the imam said.


He has learned some Arabic, and traveled once to the Middle East, for hajj. Yet he feels more comfortable with the Senegalese and Guinean Muslims who have settled in Harlem than with many Arabs and South Asians.



This background is familiar ground for many African-American converts. You'll have to recall that because segregation in the US was done by Christians, to have Islam appear to be in opposition to such a practice is a powerful incentive to joining the faith. You'll note that Brother Talib claims that his change of faith was driven by a quest for spirituality. I reject this claim, given that black folks, specifically those in the Bible Belt are VERY spiritual and it would be particularly insulting to them to claim that they are less spiritual than any given Muslim. No, it is clear that the blackness of Malcolm X and his fortitude in the face of White Supremacy is what actually affected brother Talib. In terms of spirituality he could have easily studied Quakers, Buddhism, etc. but he did not. Nor did brother Talib study any of the traditional religions of Africa. Why not? Maybe it wasn't mentioned, but I don't believe that he did. Here's the reason for my statement:


“And we can’t let other people, from other cultures, come and try to make us clones of them. We came here as Muslims.”


We what? Excuse me? Exactly how did this individual come to such a conclusion? What historical facts back that up? None whatsoever.

Anyone who is familiar with the Atlantic Slave Trade would know that Ibos, Mandinkas, Yorubas Housas, Igbos, Kubans, Ngolans, Twi, Assante, Fante's of all manner of faiths were sold to white men and shipped to the Americas. How then can anyone Muslim or not, even make such an untenable claim? Well actually I've covered this phenomenon of "yellow-washing" African history by certain Muslim scholars, who much like their Christian counterparts feel the need to clean up the Arab and Muslim history in Africa. You can find detailed discussions of this phenomenon here:

http://garveys-ghost.blogspot.com/2006/02/afrocentricity-and-islam.html
and
http://garveys-ghost.blogspot.com/2006/02/afrocentricity-and-islam-ii.html

Now I'm not one to tell people what religions they should follow, but I think it isn't unfair to expect that people would at least be accurate in their statements about African people. As a Pan-Africanist, I would wonder why brother Talib would not be more concerned with his other African Muslims and "do for self" as taught by Malcolm X. I would also ask why he isn't on record as trying to form bonds with African and African-Americans of other non-Christian faiths. But then this is why the post is entitled the way it is.

Many of the mosque’s members embraced Islam in search of black empowerment, not black separatism. They describe racial equality as a central tenet of their faith. Yet for some, the promise of Islam has been at odds with the reality of Muslims.

One member, Aqilah Mu’Min, lives in the Parkchester section of the Bronx, a heavily Bangladeshi neighborhood. Whenever she passes women in head scarves, she offers the requisite Muslim greeting. Rarely is it returned. “We have a theory that says Islam is perfect, human beings are not,” said Ms. Mu’Min, a city fraud investigator.


If non-Black Muslims are acting as foul as white Christians then you've essentially put oneself into the same position as before. And besides, the historical question still stands, how is converting (reverting as some say) to Islam synonymous with "black empowerment"? Let's look at it like this 'Aqilah' and Mohammed are not African names. They are definite not West African in origin, where most African-American ancestors came from. Thus why is taking an Arabic name "black empowerment"? It is Islamic empowerment, but definitely not "black empowerment." I believe that such disrespect that many African-American Muslims experience will be solved in one of two ways:

1) They will subsume their own history and practices in order to be accepted by those with "unshattered Islamic heritage" or
2) They will wise up and do for self within' the faith. They will do as other African Muslims have done before them and adopt the faith to their own realities and do so in an unapologetic manner.

If individuals such as brother Talib want the respect of those of us who are outside the "big three", then they will have to cease with the pseudo history. In fact let me say this to all of us, since I've witnessed pseudo-history propagated on all sides. All of us really need to stop with the pseudo-history both between and within our respective groups.

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Some of us call this phenomenon "leaving one religious plantation for another."

Anonymous said...

Hey brother,I suggest you re-read the article and correct your own inaccuracies, as well as learning more about Imam Talib,who you obviously know little about. For one thing thue article doesn't say nor indicate that he ingratiated himself to anyone. For another, it doesn't say that his work was done on behalf of his mosque, but in fund-raising on behalf of a national organization for work in the 'hood .Leaders do that. Also, who says that acceptance of Islam is THE act of resistance to White Supremacy? Some folk might believe that and that accepting Islam is a "black thing", but the Imam obviously doesn't. Imam Talib is well-known and respected in New York for his work as and on behalf of African people. The MIB (as they're known)has a well-earned reputation for self-determination and self-reliance,so your comments are off-base. You're also off-base about how the Imam became a Muslim and what he studied. How can you speak so authoritatively about that? Do you know him? Have you ever heard him speak on those things about himself or his conversion? Many people have. Lastly, your own biases are showing. You have four own beliefs,so leave other folk to theirs. You might also do some studying about what Garvey had to say about Islam, and the presence of Muslims in the Garvey movement. You obviously know little about that. I don't mean to disrespect you man,but don't disrespect our Imam and talk what you don't know.There are people who are Pan-Africanists who are Muslims and the Imam is a self-pro-claimed one. Get used to it. Africa had millions of black African Muslims throughout the continent. Get used to it. Ask the African Muslims in Harlem how they feel about our Imam and see what they say.In fact, check out the website mosqueofislamicbrotherhood.org You might learn something.

sondjata said...

Annonymous (isn't it allways):

1) I never said the article "said" he was ingratiating himself. That was my position on his actions. You don't have to agree with that position, that's your prerogative.

2)I also didn't say that the monies he was rasining was soley for his mosque. I said he was rasing funds for his Mosque "among other things".

Again, the rest of the commentary is just that my commentary on the article and issues surrounding the article mostly based on experience and interactions with Muslims of various "sects" and leanings. As I said before you are entitled to your opinion.

4) my comment on how the Imam became a Muslim was based on the quotation in the Times. If he was misquoted, then both he and the Times ought to print a clarification or correction to the article. Since you know the brother, you should have him send me a correction piece and I'll post it here. Based on those comments I made my analysis. My analysis may or may not be true, but as said before this is my opinion and you are entitled to the same.

True I have my beliefs which I don't hid, but I also do not engage is pseudo-history which I notice not a single one of your critiques here has dealt with. Of course not.

As for Muslims in the UNIA and other outgrowths of Garveyism, I would be a damn fool to name this blog Garvey's Ghost and NOT know about Muslims who have been involved in the movement as well as had influence within' the organization. Though I find it almost laughably funny when NOI Muslims act like Elijah Poole (AKA Elijah Muhammed) was not a member of the UNIA and that the NOI is formed with the UNIA as it's template. But that's off the point.

AS to your last point regarding the millions of black Muslims on the African continent both post and pre colonialism: Well yeah..and? doesn't contradict a single thing written in this post or the posts before it on the topic. However, when some nitwit makes the comment that 'we" were all Muslims before the Atlantic Slave Trade,and it goes uncorrected, then there is something very very wrong. And of course, no one wants to admit that most of those millions of Muslim Africans (as well as Christian ones) all go to the traditional "root doctor" when they want something done though. SHHhhhhhh! That's supposed to be a secret though.

Anyway, If I had it "in" for brother Talib, I wouldn't refer to him as brother at all. Even though I'm sure he's doing much in Harlem and elswhere, that does not put him above critique. if he doesn't want critique, then he ought to be very careful about who and where he gives interviews. Again, should he care to correct items written in that NYT piece he should feel free to send a note to me and I'll post it. Not a problem at all.

sondjata said...

corrected link:

http://www.mosqueofislamicbrotherhoodinc.org/

One instance of completely untrue information:


Because of that basic lack of information, Afro-Americans who are Muslims or those who are striving to be Muslims are misunderstood in many instances. Actually, the person who would accept Islam needs to know that Islam is the oldest, most-perfect religion on earth and that it was the religion of every true prophet who ever lived, including the one familiar to the Western World, Jesus. From that understanding, let me proceed to speak of one of the most resolute of 20th Century Muslims.


This is simply a flat out untrue statement. This may fool the unschooled, but it does not fool the informed.

Anonymous said...

Back to you,bro. Sorry, my name is Ajene. I ain't trying to be anonymous anymore than you or anyone else.I'm not a google blogger, and should have hit the "other" box, as I will do from now on. You're right, we all have opinions and are entitled to them, and don't have to agree with all of each other's. I was just concerned about inaccuracies or assumptions or errors about our brother,and my leader,Imam Al-Hajj Talib Abdur-Rashid. I'm saying again that he was not involved in any fundraising for our mosque and no where in the article does it indicate that he was,in spite of what you have now repeated.Also, the Imam has said publicly many times that he became a Muslim after having been Christian, and then spending time doing independent comparative religious study -including (as you mentioned btw) Buddhism, so-called "traditional African religions", and several others. So it was the case that, as you said he article didn't mention all of that. So I'm saying that for you to speak with certainty about his process of conversion ("I don't believe he did") was disingenuous.And that stuff about him not being on record for forging bonds with Africans and African Americans of other faiths, again, incorrect. Man you should do your homework before you spout that stuff, that's all. Just do goggle searches and you'll see some of it,dig? I hear you in seeking to qualify that,though. I also hear you with regards to pseudo-history and the like, some of your comments I agree with them (like about the UNIA/NOI connection, the fallacy of all Africans being Muslims before slavery,etc.). Imam Talib teaches about these things too so we're hip to them and it's also why I don't agree with everything that you say. For instance, your comment that Muhammad and Aquilah are "not African names". Well as you well know, Africa is a continent containing people with many different cultures, and in MUSLIM Africa the names are very popular -well known and used. Also Diop and others have written about the etymological oneness of classical arabic and African languages like Wolof, and the same as linked to Ancient Egyptian. There are other things,but hey, it is your blog. Glad to see though that you know and acknowledge the Muslim presence and influence in the UNIA under the Hon. Marcus Garvey. Also, I'm not saying you "have it in" for the Imam,but just as you have a right to critique folk, folk also have a right to critique your critique. I made some of my comments because another aspect of the pseudo-history is for folk to try to erase Islam from Africa and African people,or discount our beliefs because they (like you) don't share them. Like the quote you cited from the web-site. It's not true from YOUR perspective but it is absolutely true from the perspective of every Muslim. If you don't agree, that's kool, but please don't start talking about people "fooling" people bro, because then you're impugning our character and no one has done that to you. There are African American "do for self" Pan Africanists (Though not enough in my view) , and the Imam is one, and a lor of folk know it .But then again as I said, this is your blog so you have the last word I guess, so peace out.
Brother Ajene

sondjata said...

Sorry for the delayed response. I wanted to make sure I had the article before responding this time.

In the article the following was said:


One thing stood between them and dinner:
A visitor from Harlem was coming to ask
for money.


and:

Dr. Khan began inviting more African-American leaders to speak at his mosque, and welcomed
Imam Talib there last October to give a fund-raising pitch for his organization, the Muslim Alliance in North America. The group had recently announced a “domestic agenda,” with
programs to help ex-convicts find housing and jobs and to standardize premarital counseling for
Muslims in America.


This organization (http://mana-net.org/index.php)
serves as an umbrella organization of Masjids, Muslim Organizations and individuals. Brother Talib is a part of this organization (PO Box in Lexington KY). I am quite sure that by soliciting on behalf of the MANA (of which he is on the leadership council), that the local mosque receives funds for it's own community work, In which case, soliticing for MANA would invariably lead to funding for one's own organization. Not that there's anything wrong or illegal about it.

Therefore I believe that my statement regarding solicitation is supported by the facts specifically because I included the mosque as well as other things (other things being MANA.

In regards to belief. People are free to believe whatever they please. However, belief is not equal to fact or truth. The fact of the matter is thet Islam, as an organized religion is predated by both Christianity and Judaism. Those are facts. I won't even get into what preceeded those as I have written extensively on the subject (do a search for "Abrahamic What?"

In regards to brother Diop's work (all of which are recommended reading by this blogger)I agree full heartedly. However, one must admit that not all words in Arabic are derived from Khemet, and that Diops' work dealt with very limited word sets and he himself admits that more work would have to be done in the field. So the claim is not really all that air tight. One knows that Khemet had great influence on Greece, yet the Greek Language is quite different from that of Egypt or Arabic for that matter. Similarly, you have languages in the area such as Hebrew, Aramic, Ethioptic, etc. that all have differences. Ultimately though, should one want to make that connection arguement, why not take names such as rameses, Tut-moses, etc.? Let's just run straight to the source?

Anyway, as you pointed out I don't know Brother Talib personally so anything I have to say regarding him is limited by that which I do know. But personally, I think that for a Pan-Africanist to be soliciting non-Africans for monies to support work in black communities may be contrary. If however, it is about Islam, then I completely understand.