Without a doubt, some of the opposition to the Park 51 initiative is fueled by religious bigotry and political posturing. However it can also be stated that some of the reservation toward the project is from well meaning Americans for whom the tragic events remain a source of angst and trauma. For them, the presence of a $100 million towering edifice, so close to the very place where thousands lost their lives, will represent, rightly or wrongly, an omnipresent reminder of the tragedy.

As I am blessed and privileged, through my work as an author and lecturer, to travel throughout the Muslim community in America and engage a diverse cross-section of Muslims of all ethnicities, educational levels, genders, age groups and socio-economic status, I have found this to be the position of many, not a few; An agreed upon conclusion: just because one has the right to do something, and can,  does not necessarily mean one should….This remains the 800 pound gorilla in the room that many would rather ignore. The complexity of the issue does not allow for such dangerous naïveté.

If one were to survey the Muslims of New York City and America by extension, the building of such a center would not rank very high at all on the list of goals and priorities for the average Muslim. Throughout our communities in America, particularly in urban centers we are facing the realities of high unemployment, lack of business and educational opportunities, and many of the social challenges that affect many in our country, one’s faith tradition notwithstanding. The yet-to-be collected resources that would be used to build the center could be more effectively allocated to empower the community it endeavors to serve, while simultaneously casting a positive light on Islam and Muslims in America.

I think most would agree that it is human nature to fear, hate or otherwise impugn that which one does not understand. Amidst the fear and hate mongers, I implore the Park 51 organizers to rise above the fray and continue the good work they have been known for with regards to relationship building and outreach. Work more closely with those similar forward-thinking, like-minded, rational, sober Muslims in America to help educate and redefine our faith. Your fund raising prowess can be used to strengthen and empower the existing Islamic institutions throughout NYC, which more often than not serve the needs of Muslims and their neighbors, not unlike the Jewish community center and YMCA models that have been referenced in your project narrative.

More important than a new physical structure erected by Muslims, at Ground Zero or anywhere in America for that matter, I submit that the greatest challenge facing Islam and the Muslims in America today is articulating and living an expression of the faith that is not antithetical to and is compatible with the best of our American traditions; a true, home-grown manifestation and practical application of Islam in America.

Islam is in the DNA of the American soil. My ancestors helped to implant and establish it, even under the worse conditions, when they were brought here to build this nation. The Civil Rights Movement empowered and helped us to gain rights and make remarkable strides that otherwise would not have been made. Many of us who did not immigrate here have lived Islam and the struggle for decades and continue to serve our communities and societies in a myriad of ways. We refuse to see this legacy and struggle reduced and trivialized to sound bites and posturing on either side.

It is clear to us, collectively, more than anything else, in 21^st Century America, Muslims must reclaim Islam back from the ideological grasp of those who hijacked it. In the times we live in today, it is more important to protect our principles than it is to protect our interests.

*************************************

Amin Nathari is the National Representative of IAM – Islam in America Movement, and a lecturer and noted author of several books , including Message to the Grassroots in 21^st Century America – What Would Malcolm Do?  and the forthcoming work 45, 35, Now….The Continuum of Islam in America – Examining the Evolution of the Islamic Experience in 21^st Century America. He also formerly served as Deputy Director of Communications for the City of Newark, NJ. He can be reached at aminnathari@gmail.com.

For more information visit www.nathari.com.

When I read about folks seeking “leaders” who will be true to who they are, who will sacrifice even if it means personal loss and pain, speaking truth to power, and for me, most importantly, being able to change one’s position once new information is available and you’ve been wrong, Malcolm Shabazz comes immediately to my mind. I don’t need to highlight the story, his life journey and evolution; we have all (or can and should read) read it.

We never know what he would have went on to become, achieve, accomplish had his life not been cut short when he was senselessly and tragically assasinated on February 21, 1965a few months short of his 40th birthday. What we do know is that all indications are he would have continued to evolve, grow and develop. And for me, when I look at what he sacrificed, when it would have benefitted him to just go along to get along, his standing firm unwaveringly, even in the face of adversity and death, this is why still today, as an example for yet another generation, Malcolm still matters. 

Where do we look TODAY, for a good example of that kind of legacy, speaking out on the issues, even when it may be against ones self or make others “uncomfortable”. It has to emerge, if our communities in America are going to evelop, grow and prosper. Anything short of that, I fear, will just put us a step closer to the edge of irrelevancy.

First things first; I want to wish you and yours a Happy Holiday, whether you are celebrating Thanksgiving, Eid ul-Adha (the Islamic holiday) or both. May this be an enjoyable and peaceful time and occasion.

There’s been so much going on, and the time just hasn’t been there to blog consistently this year. However, I am pleased to announce, for anyone who cares, that “Making It Plain” will be back!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 the conversation will resume and I hope you will visit and weigh in often as we offer analysis and commentary on the challenges, issues and opportunities that face us in 21st Century America.

Also, on Friday November 27, 2009, the website the Islam in America Movement (IAM) is going “live”. Please visit www.islaminamericamovement.com for more information on our organizational activities and initiatives, as we strive to forge a new “vision and agenda for change in the 21st Century”.

As we move to the close of 2009 and look forward to the year 2010, the start of a new decade, we are very excited about the inaugural Islam in America Movement Symposium on Febraury 19-21, 2010. The theme, 45, 35, Now…The Continuum of Islam in America will examine two watershed months in both Black History and American History, both which have their “aniinversaries”, 45 and 35 years repsectively, in February 2010. Check the website starting Friday for complete details about the three exciting days of activites and programs.

Looking forward to connecting with you on December 1st.

With Peace and Sincerity, I remain yours in the Struggle;

Amin Nathari

Exactly one week ago today, while I was in working on book and website revisions (while working through my ongoing migraine challenges) I was watching CNN, as usual.

What I watched on Wednesday February 3, 2009 had such an impact upon me that it took me this long to process and post. I had originally intended to post that evening. Here’s the link so you can view/hear for yourself:

http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/39139027.html

I think everyone needs to hear it. It wasn’t necessarily his “best work”, his usual “fiery” oratory, but the depth of his sincerity and “faith in faith” as I’ll put it. When I heard him quote the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (prayers and peace be upon him) that I mention in almost every “Muslim” gathering, I first got a chill like never before; then, I started to cry………; not because a “politician” gave props to my chosen faith tradition; but because what he chose to relate from the tradition is so timely in the America, the world, we live in today: “None of you is truly a believer unless he wants for his brother what he wants for himself”. (And as a cautionary note, the explanations of this “hadith”, as the President so aptly referred to it, assures us that “brother” extends to all of humanity, male and female alike, NOT just those of the Islamic faith tradition!)

So I called my father, briefly, then Abdul-Kareem in Phila, and we talked briefly and he called me back later; then my “brother” Haneef (friend since kindergarten and fellow “freedom fighter”) and we talked for an hour. The link is from Abdul-Kareem who missed it live but went on-line to find it after I called him and he heard how it affected me. Of course, NO major news outlet gave justice to the context of his comments; only this one local DC news outlet put up a link of the entire speech.

I have worked for and been in the presence of some of the best politicos on the scene. So I’m not one easily impressed by sound bites or gratuitous references to appease certain segments of the audience. President Obamastrikes me, consistently, as the real deal, aside from the relatively brief comments at last weeks National Prayer Breakfast. I agree with him, and I’ve held this view for some time, that FAITH can and will play an incrnoe’seasing role in American society and public life. The challenge for us collectively is how do we reconcile the diversity of various faiths and come to common ground around the challenges and issues that face all of us, regardless of  ones’ creed, ethnicity or race. President Obama offered what I felt to be sincere reflections on his own road to finding faith; for some, this just might be the basis for increased involvement, tolerance and in the case of my faith community, putting faith into practice on a practical level in the 21st Century. (And that’s just my opinion; I could be wrong!)

This was just the extra nudge I needed to revive my up-to-now inactive, inconsistent blog (just been inundated with book projects and writng prep for so many presentations, etc…..; no excuse). I hope to be back in the mix to stay.

I hope you enjoy the President’s brief speech as much as I did. For any of you who know me, you know how certain, select things, moments, sometimes move me; this was and is one of those moments…..Thanks for indulging me.

I want to have this “conversation”. Please weigh in with your thoughts and comments.

Amin

www.aminnathari.com

Yesterday, September 11, 2008, as America reflected upon the tragic events of “9/11″, the Muslim Community and the world mourned the loss of a dynamic man, a leader, visionary, author, businessman, father, husband, grandfather, Imam W. Deen Mohammed.

Thousands gathered in Villa Park, IL to pay their respects.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-mohammed-funeral-12-sep12,0,5321294.story

Around the country, thousands more gathered and offered similar prayers for the Imam in solidarity with those attending in person in the suburbs of Chicago. I was honored to and humbled by the opportunity to lead one such prayer at the Philadelphia Masjid, under the leadership of Imam Malik Mubaashir. And I, along with others among the several hundred men and women in attendance, was able to offer a few words of reflection and encouragement. Those words seem to have resonated with those there, by the permission of the Creator, and I hope to share some of those reflections in the days ahead, as they are relevant to the life and legacy of the Imam and address his theme “we can’t stop now”.

For now, I offer this, as I prepare to offer the Jumu’ah khutbah (Friday Prayer Sermon) this afternoon at Masjidullah in Plainfield, NJ; a dynamic and diverse community in association with Imam W. Deen Mohammed, under the leadership of my dear friend, elder and brother Imam Abdul-Wali Muhammad. And I yet again have the honor to lead another janaza prayer for our dear Imam:

Many people, and I speak for myself first and foremost, feel a great sense of personal loss with the passing of the Imam. In 2001, I published a small book titled “From the Nation to the Sunnah – Building the Bridge in 21st Century America. (My intent is to revise and reprint within the next few weeks, in dedication to Imam Mohammed); in the book, I briefly outlined the evolution from the Nation of Islam in 1995 to traditional (or Sunni) Islam under the skillful direction of Imam Mohammed. The challenge before us now is to continue that journey, and strive to keep our community together ideologically and philosophically. Meaning, although the leadership paradigm is continuing to change and evolve, this is NOT a time for everyone to just start (or in some cases, increase) doing their “own thing”.

Collective effort, collaboration, and what I’ve been referering to for years now as “functional unity” must be the order of the day. Who will take the baton and keep moving us collectively forward? ALL of us must share in and be focused upon this objective. Although it’s been said that there will be no “successor” to the Imam, we all are ideological and philosophical “heirs and inheritors” of what he stood for, represented and strove for tirelessly until his death. For whatever it’s worth, I hope to offer some insights, suggestions and steps forward towards that end. I do so with the benefit of having lived through and experienced that first transition that began on February 25, 1975 upon the death of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, and the next day, February 26, 1975, when as a child in the Nation I watched, through tears of grief, which turned to tears and smiles of hope and optimism, as many pledged to work with “Minister Walace D. Mohammed”. And I watched and listened as he boldly and courageously stepped up, in front of the world, and began what we would come to know as “the 2nd Ressurection”. We haven’t stopped yet, and “we can’t stop now”.

The 3rd Resurrection is upon us, and how we continue building the bridge, from the Nation to the Sunnah, working through issues of ideological difference with the Nation of Islam (thorough education, interaction, with wisdom and beautiful preaching as the Qur’an instructs….), striving to bring our communities together and move towards indigenization and independence, while still working across ethnic lines, will not only determine the next few years, but could very well impact the next 100 years plus of Islam in America.

Where do we go from here is the question. And what we do, and HOW we do it, is critical. We must tread carefully, critically, practically, and get there through results-oriented dialogue. Things as we knew them have indeed changed…………I remember my SPECIFIC instructions from Imam Mohammed in November 1999, and again in March 2000, when I saw him at Harvard University just after he’d returned back from Chicago and publicly appearing with Minister Farrakhan. Among the things he said to me that day was “Imam Amin, we are together again. We are all one family again!). And he smiled, we hugged again, and he went to the podium to give the khutbah. THOSE words and THAT smile is what will be in and on my heart and mind today. And in moving forward, holding fast to that spirit, which reflects the Qur’anic spirit “Hold fast all together to the rope of Allah and do not be divided”, I use a colloquial expression: “that’s how I’m doin it!”.

As a Muslim, I will of course, utilize the Qur’an and the Prophetic tradition found both through the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), his Seerah (biography), and other Islamic sources. However, I must stress again that I will be using practical examples, and basing this commentary substantively upon my own experiences and those of others who have been involved in the grassroots effort at both the layperson and leadership levels, and all other levels in-between.

A note of caution: this blog, as well as our collective work, is not and will not be for the faint-hearted. Just the thought of the challenges that we are faced with sometimes overwhelms me. Yet, whenever I become overwhelmed when pondering the many challenges that face us in 21^stcentury America, in addition to reflecting upon the guidance of the Qur’an, and the life example and expereinces of the Prophet Muhammad, prayers and peace be upon him, I often reflect upon the life and times of Malcolm X; the overwhelming abundance of life-altering, life-threatening challenges that he faced allows me to put my own and our collective situations in the proper context.

Upon self examination seeking answers to the question of where do we go from here, and how do we forge a new vision for Islam in 21^stcentury America, I am reminded of the quote by the psychiatrist and social theorist Frantz Fanon who said “every generation rises from relative obscurity and either fulfills its historic mission or betrays it”. I am convinced now more than ever that it is the responsibility of my generation, particularly those of us that spent our formative years in the Nation of Islam, witnessed the end of the movement as we knew it in 1975, continued our evolution from the nation to the Sunnah, and now have children, in some cases grandchildren, of our own, to play a significant role in shaping and implementing a new vision for Islam in 21^st century America.

Muslims in America at all levels shoulder an enormous responsibility and it is incumbent upon us to commit ourselves to building the future. Collectively at the grassroots level we have a substantive contribution which remains to be made. The challenges will continue to exist, as the guidance of the Creator tells us that like the alternating fortunes of the day and the night we asked human beings are tested in turn.

Over the past few years I have come to categorize every test as part of the purification process based upon the well known adage “what doesn’t kill you only serves to make you stronger”. Islamophobia, blanket judgments, sweeping stereotypes, and other factors beyond our control lie in wait as obstacles on the path to forging a new vision. Nevertheless, we must not be thwarted and must remain unwavering in our endeavor to establish community life with the parallel pursuit of freedom, justice and equality. For this vision to become a reality we must collectively seek common ground. This is one of the beauties of our historical development within the Islamic experience, particularly in Black America.

It is for this reason that I consistently reference my developmental years within the Nation of Islam, drawing from it’s best practices. (a review of my bio might prove helpful in better understanding my thought process and evolution; if interested, you can view at www.aminnathari.com) Within that first resurrection, we may have come from different backgrounds, neighborhoods, socio-political realities and philosophies, yet that experience allowed us to develop a certain trust and respect. It helped us to work through our differences, staying focused on the task at hand and uniting to get the job done. We established a precedence of soldiering together, and it was a labor of love as we had a common goal, objective and purpose then: to “build a nation”.

The grassroots community of America needs a common goal now to manifest a new vision for Islam in 21^st century America. In the process, our endeavors and collective work will allow us to accurately define for the broader society just what is Islam and to essentially redefine what it means to be a Muslim. The areas of engagement are multifaceted and multipronged, yet I firmly believe that for a new vision of Islam to be manifest at the highest level, an Islamic movement must commence. I am convinced that organizationally we have to move our collective work away from the institutional paradigm of loosely based alliances, organizations and the like.

While those organizational modalities serve an important role, the sheer nature of our organized and collective work, for me, mandates that we solidify ourselves on a deeper level. When I use the term Islamic movement, I utilize the definition of the contemporary scholar Yusuf Qaradawi, who defines it as “organized and collective work that is undertaken by the people to restore Islam to the leadership of society and to the helm of life”. Of course, this Islamic leadership is accommodating and tolerant of other faith traditions, and it seeks inclusion, not exclusion, with morality and the pursuit of the common good serving as the true litmus test. In shaping a new vision for Islam in 21^st century America and determining where we go from here, one must always keep in mind that the time dictates what must be done. You may be doing the right thing at the wrong time, looking for the right results.

Our own grassroots assessment should help us determine what our challenges are and what the responses to those challenges should be. This requires us to discard with the proverbial slave mind. It is this mindset that keeps us waiting for the six o’clock news, and tuning into the popular culture to determine what our issues are today. This is just one of many obstacles to taking control of our own destinies and developing and implementing a vision for the future. We must be bold and courageous enough to chart our own course, always keeping in mind, particularly within a socio-political context, that they are no permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent interests. The interests that best benefit the overall aspirations of the community are those interests that should be a priority for our collective efforts, endeavors and struggle.

I personally do not separate my vision for Islam from my vision for America, as I am a Muslim and just as much an American. The blood of my ancestors is embedded in the soil of this land. Their sweat and labor helped to build the very country in which we live today, one that we have a vested interest in its vision, success or lack thereof. I strongly believe that the religion and way of life of Islam, based upon a broad and comprehensive understanding with a practical application, can address many of the challenges issues and ills that exist in 21^st century America. Yet I also understand, as did Malcolm, that the challenges that face America are not Muslim, Christian or Jewish problems, they are human problems. The time has come that we move beyond the manifestation of these problems and start examining and having discourse around the sources of these problems. And we can no longer be in denial, tiptoeing or soft-pedaling around our situation as it is too critical.

The events of September 11, 2001, or “9/11” have grounded post modernity. That was our defining moment in the history of our generation. This reality has to move us a more ecumenical co-existence. I believe the first quarter of the 21^st century will be the most pivotal period in history; future generations will look back upon this period and we will be evaluated accordingly based upon our efforts and success or lack thereof, during this period. Like it or not, we are going to be history makers, the only question that remains is what kind of history will we make. The challenge is to address our issues and fix ourselvesso that we can move beyond ourselves.

To manifest a new vision for Islam in America, and fulfill our collective destiny, our leaders, Muslim and other faith traditions, must move throughout our communities, throughout the country and convene with our people, the grassroots. We must all be on the same team and we can never make the tragic mistake of giving the ball to people who playing for the other team. I define the other team as those who do not share in the goals, hopes and aspirations that will make us successful as a grassroots community in 21^st century America. I pray that I can help the home team and make a meaningful contribution to this new vision, a vision of hope, promise, success, and a fulfilled destiny, for the grassroots, and all of humanity.

I end this first post on a personal note. This year, 2008, marks thirteen (13) since I began what would be a life-changing journey. In the spring of 1995, I, along with a small band of committed and sincere brothers and sisters, set out on a path of implementing a broad and comprehensive plan of Islamic community development. And on September 1, 1995, in the face of hostilities and opposition, yet with hope and unbridled optimism, the Muslim Community Center of Essex County, in East Orange, NJ, also known in the lexicon of MuslimAmerica as “4th Avenue”, (and the mosque which would be housed there, shortly thereafter named Masjid As’habul-Yameen) formally opened its doors for “full-time” service to the Muslim community and the society-at-large. And although my formal relationship (as Founding Director and Imam) with that particular institution ended more than five years later in December 2000, my commitment to public service has continued uninterrupted, at what seems to be an unending pace, with writing, lecturing and other public discourse, as well as organizing and continuing to work on the ground.

I have certainly made some mistakes, miscalculations and will continue to make them, (albeit I pray less of them, as experience helps one attain maturity and we are all works in progress), as my shortcomings are many. However, the lessons I have learned along the way are seemingly endless, and I continue to pray that the lessons learned and continued experiences shared as I move throughout the country and build with our people, these things combined should be, God willing, more than sufficient enough to place our situation in the proper context. And although I don’t claim to have all the answers, nor am I a scholar in the traditional or contemporary sense, in the final analysis, I can only hope and pray, as stated by our late leader and brother Al Hajj Malik Shabazz, that my sincerity is my credential.

We have work to do in 21^st century America. So let’s go on, keep our heads high and get on with it. And although I no longer subscribe to the religious ideology I learned from him as a child (we will have much more discussion on the merits of a Nation-inspired movement based on a sound, 21st Century application of the Qur’an and Prophetic tradition), I reference the truth in the immortal words of the late leader and Nation of Islam architect Elijah Muhammad: Blackman, pick up your bed and walk!

I must preface everything I have written thus far in this inaugural post of sorts, as well as what I will offer, by God’s Permission, in every future post on this blog, with the following: we ALL are standing upon the shoulders of those that came before us. Many have labored, toiled, strived and struggled, fought, bled and in many cases died for us to have the opportunity that we have today; the opportunity to work and strive together for change. And not only are we determined to be looked upon favorably through the lens of history, but by our ancestors whose spirit still dwells among us.

I remember growing up in the city of Newark, New Jersey, this city from where I write these words, during a time of social upheaval and turmoil here, as was also witnessed in other parts of our country, watching many exit our cities in masse, leaving many observers to conclude that life in inner-city or urban America was “history”. Now we find that many of our cities today, like Newark, are becoming places of great potential and opportunity, where many are coming back in masse, to share in the change that is occurring in those best examples of urban America. If we work and strive together for change and progress, together for all of our people, we will be successful in 21^st century America. But in order to achieve this, beyond rhetoric, jingoism and sloganism, and meet the challenges that face us, we are indeed going to have to realize that it is a time for a change. And change is best achieved through the establishment of order and priorities. Even in the process of the heavens and the earth, not every part of the earth is illuminated by the sun at the same time; not all the planets rotate around the sun at the same time. Everything has its appointed place and time. The absence of which would lead to chaos and collision, of catastrophic proportion.

Agreeing to accept our responsibility and execute a results-oriented agenda built upon priorities and best practices, if we rise to the challenge, we can save our generation and those that will follow us from drowning in the ocean of underachievement, disillusionment and despair, and empower them to live a life filled with achievement, fulfillment and economic and spiritual abundance. Above and beyond the commentary and reflections, this blog, Making It Plain, is a call to action. I will always try to offer commentary and thoughts on what I feel to be most urgent and pressing. I garner this both from my own experience, and from my many discussions with those in the trenches; my many fellow freedom fighters, both women and men who continue to dedicate their lives to working for the betterment of our people and our society, the human family. I owe them an unpayable debt of gratitude. (You know who you are).

For certain, it is an exercise in speculation to posit what Malcolm would have done had he lived to continue his mission, continued spiritual and political development and the like. Yet, from what he was during the years he served as National Spokesman for the Nation of Islam and the year following his departure until his untimely murder, we can accurately make a number of observations. Malcolm was a mature, pious Muslim and leader. He was the epitome of sincerity. When Malcolm said “a Muslim doesn’t smoke”, he wasn’t going in the back alley of the mosque and lighting up a cigarette. Contrast his example to what we all too often find today. Many are claiming to be imitating the Righteous Predecessors and in many cases are little more than the Modern Day Pretenders.

Malcolm spoke truth to power, and never wavered in his commitment for freedom, justice and equality, both economically and socio-politically. For all of his scathing racial indictments during his NOI days, Malcolm was ultimately killed, in part, for his diplomatic efforts. This illustrates that the process of bridging gaps and working to bring people together around results-oriented action, goals and objectives is a dangerous road indeed. Lastly, and of monumental importance in light of the reality of 21^stcentury America which is the central focus of this work, Malcolm was one of the best examples we have seen of a leader not allowing his personal religious beliefs to make him lose sight of his responsibility to humanity; even towards those who did not necessarily share his faith tradition yet agreed with his socio-political and economic vision.

It is well known that even after he changed his name, he often remarked that as long as the conditions that created Malcolm X continued to exist, he would continue to maintain names, identities. For him, his conversion to traditional Islam was not a passport out of blackness or a one way ticket out of social responsibility. I personally find this to be consistent to the compassion and empathy we garner from the Quranic passage that states (translated as): You are the best of people evolved from mankind; you enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil and you believe in God.(Al-Imran, 3/110).

One well known exegesis or commentary on this passage is that the Prophet (pbuh) said this means that we are the best people for others to look at and emulate as an example. This means we have a Divine mandate to serve everyone and to be engaged at every level. I emphatically believe Malcolm would have agreed that leaders have to make hard decisions in challenging times, and Malcolm, even if you didn’t agree with his decision, it would have been well thought out, keeping in mind the best long term interest of his community and people. He would agree that collectively, we can build a better world. If we had a united front, we as Muslims could galvanize the various forces looking for the establishment of good, fairness and justice. And he would most certainly agree that we may differ on particulars, but we need to agree that now is a time for action on all fronts.

In this corner: Slavery, Suffering and Death, and in that corner, Freedom, Justice and Equality. It was these words that I read every time I came into the auditorium of Muhammad’s Mosque #25 in Newark, NJ, which also did double duty as Muhammad’s University of Islam, where I received my primary education through the 7^th grade. These words were painted on the blackboard, along with a vivid image of a man (a black man, of course) with a noose around his neck. For me, even in those formative years, the scenario painted on the front side of the board represented challenges and choices. Moreover, it illustrated for me that the theme popularized by the Nation of Islam during that period, “the time and what must be done” dictated the choices one must make in order to face the challenges that the time presents.

Well, I guess congratulations are in order; we’ve made it. That time, the 21^stcentury, is here. It seemed so, so far away “back in the day” when it was referred to in popular culture in futuristic terms, and by social scientists and others, some of whom “predicted” that the world as we knew it would have ended before this moment in time (or at the very least we’d be cohabitating the earth with alien beings). Yes, we have survived, and we live in a society that is more economically well-off than ever before. Technologically, in the areas of medicine, communication, finance, etc., we have seen advances in our lifetime that we could not even imagine just a few decades ago. That is just some of the good news.

Yet, we also see that the gap is widening between the haves and the have-nots. Freedom in a physical sense has been attained, yet ideologically, psychologically, socio-economically, even politically and otherwise, many are still enslaved or in servitude to some degree or another. Justice in many cases is still an elusive ideal that many long for in our society; one that can be bestowed or denied all too often based on race and class. I continue to reflect upon the statement by the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Equality is yet another area where the real has not met the ideal. Often times I wonder how the framers of the US Constitution would view the claim of all men being created equal were they alive and present today in 21^st century America.

What is evident is that we have a myriad of challenges facing us in 21^st century America. This theme, 21^st century America, is one that you will see recurring throughout this blog, which I hope to be a work-in-progress results-oriented dialogue. It is a deliberate attempt on my part to heighten our sense of awareness of the urgency of our issue. I hope to identify and address some of the many challenges that face us in 21^st Century America. This blog is not meant to be a definitive guide, nor does it claim to offer all of the answers. You may agree or disagree with the challenges, priorities, assertions and the conclusions drawn therein. However, what I am certain we are in agreement with is that none of these challenges will be effectively met and overcome unless we meet them head-on.

The Qur’an states (translated as): Never will God change the condition of a people until they change themselves. (Ar-Ra’d, 13/11).

It is in this light that offer my humble contribution to this important discourse, as a reminder to all of us. I am honored and privleged to join the ranks of Abdur-Rahman Muhammad, Tariq Nelson, Jamerican Muslimah and the many others who are continuing to raise the bar of consciousness in this process! I pray that I can adhere to those high standards that have been set.

I must emphasize from the start that the approach I propose for dealing with these challenges is one that I’ve been advocating for some time now. When I wrote Muslim Unity By Any Means Necessary in 2004, many readers were surprised at the importance I placed on the issue I have been referring to for quite some time now as functional unity. Their questions were usually aimed at the same paradox: if we were to achieve any real measure of functional unity, with the abundance of challenges that face us in America, how would we agree upon where to start? And equally as important, how do we get started? I outlined the establishing of priorities as a prerequisite for any collective action, and indicated that it was just the starting point of the dialogue.

These past four years since have been filled with continuing to deepen my own reflection upon the sources, looking for a practical application of them, and traveling as much as possible spending time face to face with those throughout the country striving to forge their own way in 21^st century America. In many cases, they represent the overlooked masses and the best and brightest among us. I share with many of them a feeling of angst and a sense of frustration, as well as a burning desire to see us do better. And among the sometimes painful lessons I’ve learned in the recent past is that we have to love each other and our people enough to tell one another the truth. There is no panacea for the challenges that face us. There are no easy answers. Yet, we are reaffirmed by the promise of the Creator, as it states in the Qur’an: Never does God burden a soul beyond its capacity. (Al Baqarah, 2/284). This has oftentimes been a source of reassurance on the darkest of days.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure and to outline the rules of engagement, I need to be clear on who is the us and we that I refer to here, and will continue to do so as we move forward on this blog. The title of my recently published book, Message to the Grassroots in 21st Century America (What Would Malcolm Do?) makes it obvious that I seek to primarily engage a particular audience or segment of readers, both in my works and on this blog!. The term “grassroots” is synonymous with common. This simply means that when one refers to anything as being from the grassroots, it is common and basic in origin and approach. So my message is one that I direct to the “group” to which I belong; the grassroots or common American, with a special interest in both the faith tradition to which I belong, and to the tribe that I was born into and that I am more readily identified by within the landscape of a still race-challenged 21^st century America. Yes, I am a Black man and although not to the exclusion of others, I have an immense love and concern for the Black man and woman of America, commonly referred to and popularly known as African-Americans. There, it’s been said, hopefully it’s understood, and the proverbial 800-lb. gorilla in the room has been acknowledged and embraced.

In a prophetic tradition (hadith), the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, (pbuh) said: Religion is sincerity (or good advice). We said: To whom? He (pbuh) said: To God and His Book (the Qur’an) and His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and the common folk. (collected by Muslim).

It is within the context of this faith tradition that I use the term grassroots, applying it to the Muslim community and the society-at-large, my fellow brothers and sisters in humanity. The core of my discourse, activities and endeavors are aimed at, and for the benefit of, the common folk among the 21^st century American people. For me, the distinction of grassroots defines one who usually has no official title, is not a scholar or leader (not as properly understood or as we the masses commonly define a scholar or leader). Particularly within the Muslim community, the grassroots Muslim is the one who when the leadership makes a request, whether it be an appeal on the floor of the mosque for funds to support the institution and its programs, or any other need, he or she answers the call. Although their hopes and aspirations usually receive little more than perfunctory treatment, they truly constitute the rank and file of the Muslim community.

I do not think that anyone either within the Muslim community, or among the seemingly endless entities who study and profile it, will disagree with my assertion that the grassroots community, if properly mobilized and organized, using the Qur’an and the Prophetic tradition with a practical application as a foundation, has the potential to affect the most dramatic, positive, lasting change on the Islamic landscape in America today. I think that our history as Muslims in this country will bear me witness. And certainly God knows best.

To be continued