By Narjis Nichole Abdul-Majid
In “A Healthy Patriotism” Imam W. Deen Mohammad gives a brief overview of Nation of Islam history and the transformative growth of African-American Islam before beginning a discourse about Patriotism. The talk is frank and accessible, as was the nature of the late imam, but as much as it was historically framed the messages are as poignant now as they were in 2004.
Often we engage with speakers who expect or assume too much of their audience and Imam Mohammad brings the discussion of patriotism back to the simplicity of a dinner table chat. He reminds us all of the origins of the term patriotism and how that relates back to our understanding and self-identification of fatherland and fatherhood, which is still a challenge in the African-American and greater African-American Muslim population.
The 45-minute lecture intermixes humor and history with an optimism that is scarce in today’s African American population. What is refreshing is the hope that is grounded in what we know to be true as African-Americans. In part 3, which has been shared, Imam Mohammed reminds us that America is a land for all people, not just white Christians. He implores Muslims to follow the leadership of former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson and live, both mentally and physically as a people who have ownership of their country and are determined to be successful. This lesson is not far removed from the life lessons that we take away from our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who taught us that a successful community, and by extension country, will only be successful with a strong connection and awareness of God. The entire lecture and its Q&A session are available on YouTube in 8 parts.
Narjis Nichole Abdul-Majid is a part-time lecturer in the departments of Pan African Studies and Humanities at the University of Louisville. Her research interests focus on the African American and Native American Islamic experiences (Slavery-Melungeons-20th Century Islamic Movements-Present Day) with emphasis on minority voices.
Mujaahid Abdul-AlBari | April 21, 2019
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As Salaamu Alaykum. Who among us has exhibited the Wisdom, the Style, the Depth of Both Understanding and Compassionate Concern for We, the Descendants of the American enslaved, that This Man has?? Many of our two older Generations of Living persons are Subconsciously Yearning for a Return of an Idealized Jesus to Lead them to a better life and Living. Right? What is the Theme of Most of the Presentations in the Buildings we mostly attend on Sunday Mornings? Is it not that, specifically? Remember the Hymn; “Just a closer Walk with Thee”? Is that not what the Yearning is For? Family,,, this is the Mind you are Yearning for. Today you are blessed, thru this Electronic Media, to verify for yourself, in the privacy of our own accommodations, that That Yearning has been answered. The Challenge your face is EXACTLY the Same one the Israelites faced two thousand years ago; They had a mental Image/structure in their minds that prevented most of them from RECOGNIZING Almighty G-d’s answer to their Yearning because he Neither Looked nor Talked like the IDOL they held in their Mind’s Eye, so Many of Them Rejected him. In North America many of our people are Taking Exactly the Same position. We have been Cruelly and Skillfully INOCULATED with an IDEA of what that Jesus SAVIOR would LOOK and SOUND like. Most of us are Missing te Boat we want. Are You?