Militant Islam and Ethnicity in America
October 7, 2003
Update Hidden Messages, "Osama bin Laden Sends Greetings to D.C. Protesters?"
The Lampholder Newsletter,
January 19, 03 FYI
The January 03, article on UBL's message to America was sent to The Lampholder special edition subscribers only; but it was also sent to the FBI.
At the end of the rally in DC, CAIR representative Ghazi Khaksan referred to the Council on American Islamic Relations as "mujahadeen." Dr. Khaksan, in a poem critical of the Bush administration, said, "Tell Bush, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz and Tony Blair to stop colonizing Middle East oil through blood and warfare," he told the crowd. "We're all against weapons of mass destruction. But let's compare. Who has them stockpiled in the Middle East -only Israel, I declare." At the end of his message he announced, "I bring to you salaams and greetings from the Mujahadeen at CAIR.." (http://www.newsmax.com/showinside.shtml?a 03/1/18/161534) And notice who all was present at the rally!
Islam is not a race but a belief system; and to clarify - not necessarily those of Middle Eastern Arab decent but a combination that definitely has danger warning signs now and in the future and that is the "militant" Black Muslim using the cover of racism to achieve terrorism.
As you know, a racist can be any color.
Racism isn't just in the black community.
A black person can be a racist just as much as a Caucasian; but Islamic militants will use a legitimate cause of "racism" as a cover to cloak and further a "terrorist" agenda.
This might be considered back-door terrorism for the U.S., and all people of all color/race should be very concerned.
Islamic extremists consider "black Infidels" the same as all other non-Muslims, and if possible, militant Islam would take America by using racial strife and racist issues as leverage to achieve their goal of an Islamic state (Islamic Khilafah)
(The Fall of America', str 5; Elijah Muhammad, http://www.planetaislam.com/innowacje/nationofislam.html )
According to Islamic prophecy, the extremists will "use" the U.S. as a pretense for unity by assuming a truce (al-Rum) between the U.S. (and Christians) against a common enemy (called the battle between two great armies aka Armageddon).
Later, the Muslims will fight against the U.S. and Christian forces.
This is a planned deception with the ultimate goal of destroy and conquer.
This is known as the Great Slaughter (al-malhama al-kubra).
In war, one of the best methods to overcome an enemy is to infiltrate the ranks - this was obvious in the recent arrests of Muslim Army Chaplins accused of spying (Pentagon: Terrorists May Be Infiltrating Military http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,98943,00.html )
Militant Islam maybe infiltrating the music culture and black community for a purpose.
People of all color, ethnic and religious background should be extremely concerned.
This situation is only going to get worse.
It must be addressed now because eventually Homeland Security will be confronted with a much greater problem and the real issues behind racial strife in America.
Within the Hip Hop and music industry, millionaires are made and money is power! What message is conveyed through the lyrics? In some cases, perhaps a subtle, hidden agenda may also be in its preparatory stages. Could some Affirmative Action programs really be a front to plant extremists in positions of authority? Many questions need to be answered on these issues, but who will address them without being labeled a "racist?" You see, in some respects, the terrorists may already be winning! _______________A recommended URL Rev. Leslie Bond http://www.bondinfo.org/
The information below is for the purpose of stimulating thought and further research.
Excerpts and out-takes from an article reprint, "Islamic Extremism is Hell-Bent on the Destruction of the U.S., The Lampholder Special Edition Newsletter, October 28.
02." "...destruction is not so much from the outside, but what comes from within...""...great nations are weakened and destroyed from within..." The Lampholder, 1998 ~ Militant Islam and Ethnicity in America ~ According to a survey of U.S. Black Muslims, Ihsan Bagby of Shaw University, and 15 field researchers, estimated that a fourth of the 4 Million Muslims in the United States are Black, with 350 predominantly black orthodox mosques and another 75 to 100 in the Nation.
Another report indicated "there are approximately 350,000 Muslims in Federal, state and local prisons -with 30,000-40,000 being added to that number each year." Interestingly, the prisoners came to prison as non-Muslims.
"It is estimated that of those who seek faith while imprisoned, about 80% come to Islam." (1) Nationwide, Islam continues to be the fastest growing religion, which now includes over 1.5 billion followers worldwide.
Within the American population, the Black Muslim Movement and The Nation of Islam is among the fastest growing.
The Metro Detroit area is the home of thousands of Muslims.
Dearborn has approximately 300,000 Arab-Americans of which at least half follow Islam.
Today, a growing number of Black Muslims are now among the most popular rap, hip-hop, and among the highest paid R&B artists in the music industry.
At one major black awards event in Los Angeles, reported by The Nation of Islam Online ( 00), among the many guests was Louis Farrakhan.
One attendee reported, "I told him that our site was 100% Black owned...both on the technical and content side...He said [Farrakhan] NEVER sell out to ANYONE and to keep it within the family." (4) Among many within the black community, Louis Farrakhan is a real, live folk hero, and everybody at the music event went over to talk with him.
The attendee continued to report that "when Jim Brown had been a guest on the Arsinio Hall show, Jim for some reason started to talk about the Nation of Islam and said...'The general public would be surprised if they knew just how many Black celebrities in Hollywood were members of the nation of Islam, but were hiding it, because they were afraid for their careers...I know that we are getting ready to go to a commercial, but when we come back, I'll name some folks for y'all, just so that y'all don't think that EVERYONE in Hollywood is an Uncle Tom..." (5) Orthodox Islam has always been at odds with The Nation of Islam, because of what is believed to be distortions of the Islamic beliefs.
That is until recently, when Minister Louis Farrakhan reconciled with arch-rival Imam W. Deen Mohammed and announced the Nation of Islam's entry into the Muslim mainstream.
The Nation of Islam has been labeled racist by some white people, especially when they accused The Nation and Farrakhan of referring to white people as "inferior devils, " and the demand for racial segregation with blacks allotted territory within the United States strictly for black populations.
An interesting point when considering how equality is demanded from the whites, but separatism is expected by black militants.
Also of interest is Louis Farrakhan's embracing of Christians, but his insistence that Jesus is not divine, the rejection of the Jews, along with the Jewish state of Israel.
In order to comply with the predominant view of many African-American Muslims, Louis Farrakhan will need to embrace all races as equal.
Interesting, when on March 11, 1984, Farrakhan responded to the insult in a radio broadcast from Chicago, "So I said to the members of the press, 'Why won't you go and look into what we are saying about the threats on Reverend Jackson's life?' Here the Jews don't like Farrakhan and so they call me 'Hitler.' Well that's a good name.
Hitler was a very great man. He wasn't great for me as a Black man, but he was a great German and he rose Germany up from the ashes of her defeat by the united force of all of Europe and America after the first world war...." (9) <http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/705600/posts>Today's Criminal Will Become Tomorrow's Islamic Terrorist A recent article in CNSNews.com revealed the story of the Janissaries, a chosen group of fierce warriors.
The fighting Janissaries were known in the Islamic Ottoman Empire.
They were comprised of mostly Christian men, dissatisfied with their government, who converted to the Islamic religion.
"In today's parlance, we would merely call them Moslem extremists...the advent of Jihad Johnny and Abdullah al Muhajir represent the revival of a proved weapon of radical Islam - the Janissary warrior. And the recruitment has just begun." (9) The article concludes with a warning from Chuck Colson, co-founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries,"...the Islam being preached is neither "noble" nor "peaceful." The "Islamic prison outreach, as recommended by Al Qaeda, is taking place - the most prominent ministry being the National IslamicPrison Foundation." (10) ...And guess who is the main provider for funds to the NIPF? - Saudi Arabia. ISLAMIC Extremism is Hell-Bent on the Destruction of the U.S. and Israel If anyone doubts the intentions of militant Islamic extremism and the destruction of the white race, just read Chapter 23 of The Muslim Plan for the Earth.
Muslims, too, along with Christians, Messianics, and many Jews, adhere to the 6,000 year time-line for Earth.
One major difference is that Islamic extremists believe America will be the new "black Earth," void of whites, Christians, Jews, and all other religions except Muslim.
--And just when is all of this supposed to begin unfolding? -- Right now! Chapter 23, of "He [Allah] Makes All Things New, begins with the revelation of the 6,000 year theory to the Muslims, and according to the Muslim plan the end brings the destruction of the white race. So open your eyes folks, all the rhetoric of peace and love from the extremists is nothing more than lies: "...of 6,000 years, given to the white race to rule. We are now in the 15,000 year of our [Islamic] calendar history of 25,000 years...The rule of the white race terminates at the 16,000th year and that year is the beginning of the Black nation's rule again, as we ruled before the 9,000thyear of Yakub's making. This is the beginning of what is prophesied -- the 7,000th year, meaning the seventh thousandth year after the rule of 6,000 years by the white race, and in our calendar history, it is the white race, and in our calendar history, it is the 16,000th year (this is called the7,000th year by the Christian writers)." (1) Clearly, The Muslim Plan for the Earth is one of revolution, and "The fall of one government and people (white) is the rise of another government and people (Black)...The Muslims and their religion, Islam, will triumph and dominate the people of earth...the time of the white race is up. Their time has passed." (2) Far from this perspective on racial differences, it would be fair to say that most people within the U.S. (of all race and ethnic background) sincerely want to have peace with their neighbors, irregardless of color or religious background.
Five years ago The Lampholder discerned major problems coming to the U.S. as a result of Islamic extremists' attempts to damage race relations in the United States.
Granted, there are instances where true discrimination is practiced, but one way of agitating and causing disharmony among people is to subtly infiltrate the ranks of the minority with extremist viewpoints.
Sadly, today it maybe a developing reality.
In following Islamic prophecy, militant Muslims may be attempting to cause racial discord, sew seeds of corruption, and further disrupt race relations in America.
All of this in order to bring about anarchy and usher in their hope of an Islamic revolution.
America is on the alert for overt acts of terrorism, but it is this type of subtle, psychological terrorism which may ultimately be the most dangerous to peace and harmony on U.S. soil. END <mailto:lampholder@hotmail.com>References:(1) U.S. Black Muslims, Ihsan Bagby of Shaw University http://www.cornerstonemag.com/features/iss111/islam1.htm(2) Chapter 23 http://www.seventhfam.com/temple/books/our_saviour/saviour23.htm(3) Ibid(4) Islamonline, 8/31/01, http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/701399/posts(5) http://www.noi.org/ The Nation of Islam Online(6)
http://www.soul-patrol.com/rb_found 00.htm(7)
March 6, Muslim Unity Could Remake Religious Landscape by richard N. Ostling, Religion Writer, http://pub1.ezboard.com/fcatholicdiscussioncatholicmuslimdiscussoin.showMessage? topicID15.topic(8) http://www.allsands.com/History/People/louisfarrakhan_xdf_gn.htm(9) http://www.adl.org/special_reports/farrakhan_own_words/farrakhan_own_words.html http://www.thetexasmercury.com/articles/versluys/JV 010916c.html(10) http://www.blacksandjews.com/Farr_&_Jws.html(11) Today's Criminal Will Become Tomorrow's Islamic Terrorist, http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCommentary.asp?Page\Commentary\archive\ 0 6\COM 0 625b.html
CNSNews.com , June 25, 02, C.T. Rossi comments on contemporary culture for the Free Congress Foundation.
http://www.freecongress.org/
Free Congress Foundation http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/705600/posts(12) http://www.freemuse.org/03libra/speeches/fri14mat.html
http:// 9.157.64. 0/focus/f-http:// 9.157.64. 0/focus/f-news/975330/posts
http://www.mail-archive.com/leninist-international@lists.econ.utah.edu/msg03409.html (13)
FROM JOSEPH FARAH'S G2 BULLETIN Radical Islam's 'plan' to take over America - Arab-American author outlines secret -year strategy to undermine country(14) Black Muslims Create 'Explosive Mix' in Terror War By Marc Morano, CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer, November 14, 02 (15) Radicals recruit in U.S. prisons Charlotte Observer | Tue, Jun. 25, 02 | CAL THOMAS Posted on 6/25/02 8:31 AM Pacific by Gaston(16)
http://leb.net/pipermail/lexington-net/ 00-October/002361.html Islam and Race Relations in America by Muqtedar Khan September 29, 00(17) http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/printer-friendly.asp?ARTICLE_ID29795 This is a WorldNetDaily printer-friendly version of the article which follows
To view this item online, visit http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID29795 Wednesday, November 27, 02
The following articles were attached and may be of interest for reference and educationalpurposes only. http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/printer-friendly.asp?ARTICLE_ID29795 This is a WorldNetDaily printer-friendly version of the article which follows.To view this item online, visit http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID29795 Wednesday, November 27, 02
Hip-hop spreads the Muslim word group puts Islamic message in language of American youth
Posted: November 27, 021:00 a.m. Eastern
© 02 WorldNetDaily.com
A Muslim hip-hop group contends it is breaking new ground in America's black community with its clear Islamic message of straight, pious living, according to Reuters.
Like contemporary Christian music, which was birthed in the 1960s, the 2-year-old trio Native Deen is putting theology and practice into the language of youth.
"It became more apparent, for people to receive the message of Islam, it has to be in a form they can relate to," said group member Naeem Muhammad, a 27-year-old who grew up in Baltimore.
"The Koran came down in the form that people could understand," he said. "I saw that in hip-hop as well. I thought it would be an excellent way to spread the word, and it is something that I enjoy."
More than 85 percent of American converts to Islam come from African-American communities, mostly in the inner city, where many are attracted to a message of black empowerment and clean living.
Native Deen's message includes exhortations to pray five times daily, refrain from smoking and drinking and demonstrate pride in a faith many Americans find hard to understand.
Eschewing stringed and wind instruments, which are considered improper by some Muslim traditions, the group raps to a drumbeat and synthesizer:
"So always be proud, you can say it out loud
I am proud to be down with the Muslim crowd!
M-U-S-L-I-M
I'm so blessed to be with them ... ."
Being young and Muslim is the theme of another song, called "Hellfire":
"Slip to bathroom, find an empty classroom,
Don't wanna miss a prayer here at school or even at home
Man it was a struggle, trying to be a Muslim and staying out of trouble,
The stress seemed double."
Muslim references are found in the lyrics of many hip-hop artists, and "no other religion has affected hip-hop like Islam," writes Adisa Banjoko in his 01 book, "The Light from the East: The Story of Islamic Influence in Hip Hop Culture."
"What separates our music from mainstream Muslim hip-hop is the amount &Mac246; the Islamic message is more in the forefront," said Native Deen's Muhammad.
Instead of mainstream Muslim artists who add a couple of "subtle" lines here and there about their faith, Native Deen is "very public" about their beliefs, he said.
"What's becoming more and more and apparent with Native Deen is that we are, God willing, charting the course for Islamic cultural art form," Muhammad asserted.
Messengers of Allah
But many hip-hop groups have long been influenced by black Muslims, particularly the Nation of Islam, led by Louis Farrakhan, who has encouraged artists to see themselves as messengers of Allah.
The Nation of Islam's activity in the hip-hop community has included sponsoring peace summits, brokering truces between feuding factions and providing security for artists and events.
Last year, Farrakhan delivered the keynote address at the Hip Hop Summit held at the New York City Hilton on June 13. In a three-hour address, the Nation of Islam leader spoke of hip-hop's global scope and challenged the artists in attendance to recognize their position of leadership among the world's youth.
"Rap has brought the children of the world to you," he said. "What will you do with your leadership?"
Farrakhan told the artists that they were actually raising the world's children because the church, mosque and school had failed. The result, he said, is children in the street being raised by hip-hop and their peers.
Rap artists who are members or sympathizers of the Nation of Islam include MC Ren, Shorty from Da Lench Mob, K-Solo, Daddy O from Stetsasonic, Ice Cube and Jeru the Damaja, according to Hisham Aidi in his article "Hip Hop of the Gods," published by Africana.com.
Others with ties to the Nation of Islam, or splinter groups such as the Five Percent Nation, have included Public Enemy, Brand Nubian, Poor Righteous Teachers, Lakim Shabazz, Paris, KAM, Queen Latifah, Sister Souljah, Prince Akeem, KRS-One, Professor Griff, Big Daddy Kane, Mister Cee, Paris, Skinny Boys and Afrika Bambaataa, according to the research of Dr. Mattias Gardell, a theologian at the University of Uppsala in Sweden.
Aidi said Chicago rapper Common makes frequent reference to the Nation of Islam and Five Percent ideas in his rhymes. In his song "The 6th Sense," for example, he raps: "Some say I'm too deep, I'm in too deep to sleep/Through me, Muhammad will forever speak."
Rap lyrics frequently use metaphors or terms unintelligible to those unfamiliar with black Islamic beliefs, writes Gardell, such as "dead niggaz" (non-Muslim blacks), "cave bitch" (white female) or "Yacub's crew (whites). The Nation of Islam teaches that whites were created 6,000 years ago by an evil black scientist named Yacub.
Native Deen sticks to strict Muslim practices in its performances, appearing at weddings, celebrations, conferences and fund-raisers where there is no dancing or alcohol.
"Deen" is a transliteration of the Arabic word for religion.
The group will perform before an expected audience of 1,000 in New York on Dec. 7, said Reuters. They are preparing for their first five-city tour in the United Kingdom, Dec. 13-17.
(13) FROM JOSEPH FARAH'S G2 BULLETINRadical Islam's 'plan' to take over America - Arab-American author outlines secret -year strategy to undermine country
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted: August 4, 031:00 a.m. Eastern
Editor's note: Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin is an online, subscription intelligence news service from the creator of WorldNetDaily.com &Mac246; a journalist who has been developing sources around the world for the last 25 years.
© 03 WorldNetDaily.com
A refugee from the Muslim Middle East thinks he has discovered Islam's -point plan for conquering the United States by &Mac2 a plan revealed in the latest issue of Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.
Anis Shorrosh, author of ''Islam Revealed'' and ''The True Furqan,'' is a Christian Arab-American who emigrated from Arab-controlled Jerusalem in January 1967.
''The following is my analysis of Islamic invasion of America, the agenda of Islamists and visible methods to take over America by the year ,'' Shorrosh says. ''Will Americans continue to sleep through this invasion as they did when we were attacked on 9/11?''
1. Terminate America&Mac226;s freedom of speech by replacing it with statewide and nationwide hate-crime bills.
2. Wage a war of words using black leaders like Louis Farrakhan, Rev. Jesse Jackson and other visible religious personalities who promote Islam as the religion of African-Americans while insisting Christianity is for whites only. What they fail to tell African-Americans is that it was Arab Muslims who captured them and sold them as slaves. In fact, the Arabic word for black and slave is the same, ''Abed.''
3. Engage the American public in dialogues, discussions, debates in colleges, universities, public libraries, radio, TV, churches and mosques on the virtues of Islam. Proclaim how it is historically another religion like Judaism and Christianity with the same monotheistic faith.
4. Nominate Muslim sympathizers to political office to bring about favorable legislation toward Islam and support potential sympathizers by block voting.
5. Take control of as much of Hollywood, the press, TV, radio and the Internet as possible by buying the related corporations or a controlling stock.
6. Yield to the fear of the imminent shut-off of the lifeblood of America &Mac246; black gold. America&Mac226;s economy depends on oil and 41 percent of it comes from the Middle East.
7. Yell ''foul, out-of-context, personal interpretation, hate crime, Zionist, un- American, inaccurate interpretation of the Quran'' anytime Islam is criticized or the Quran is analyzed in the public arena.
8. Encourage Muslims to penetrate the White House, specifically with Islamists who can articulate a marvelous and peaceful picture of Islam. Acquire government positions and get membership in local school boards. Train Muslims as medical doctors to dominate the medical field, research and pharmaceutical companies. (Ever notice how numerous Muslim doctors in America are, when their countries need them more desperately than America?) Take over the computer industry. Establish Middle Eastern restaurants throughout the U.S. to connect planners of Islamization in a discreet way.
9. Accelerate Islamic demographic growth via:
Massive immigration (100,000 annually since 1961).
Use no birth control whatsoever &Mac246; every baby of Muslim parents is automatically a Muslim and cannot choose another religion later.
Muslim men must marry American women and Islamize them (10,000 annually). Then divorce them and remarry every five years &Mac246; since one can't legally marry four at one time. This is a legal solution in America.
Convert angry, alienated black inmates and turn them into militants (so far 2,000 released inmates have joined al-Qaida worldwide). Only a few ''sleeper cells'' have been captured in Afghanistan and on American soil.10. Reading, writing, arithmetic and research through the American educational system, mosques and student centers (now 1,500) should be sprinkled with dislike of Jews, evangelical Christians and democracy. There are currently 300 exclusively Muslim schools in the U.S. which teach loyalty to the Quran, not the U.S. Constitution. In January of 02, Saudi Arabia&Mac226;s Embassy in Washington mailed 4,500 packets of the Quran and videos promoting Islam to America&Mac226;s high schools &Mac246; free of charge. Saudi Arabia would not allow the U.S. to reciprocate.
11. Provide very sizeable monetary Muslim grants to colleges and universities in America to establish ''Centers for Islamic studies'' with Muslim directors to promote Islam in higher-education institutions.
12. Let the entire world know through propaganda, speeches, seminars, local and national media that terrorists have hijacked Islam, when in truth, Islam hijacked the terrorists.
13. Appeal to the historically compassionate and sensitive Americans for sympathy and tolerance towards Muslims in America who are portrayed as mainly immigrants from oppressed countries.
14. Nullify America's sense of security by manipulating the intelligence community with misinformation. Periodically terrorize Americans of impending attacks on bridges, tunnels, water supplies, airports, apartment buildings and malls.
15. Form riots and demonstrations in the prison system demanding Islamic Sharia as the way of life, not America's justice system.
16. Open numerous charities throughout the U.S., but use the funds to support Islamic terrorism with American dollars.
17. Raise interest in Islam on America's campuses by insisting freshman take at least one course on Islam.
18. Unify the numerous Muslim lobbies in Washington, mosques, Islamic student centers, educational organizations, magazines and papers by Internet and an annual convention to coordinate plans, propagate the faith and engender news in the media.
19. Send intimidating messages and messengers to the outspoken individuals who are critical of Islam and seek to eliminate them by hook or crook.
Applaud Muslims as loyal citizens of the U.S. by spotlighting their voting record as the highest percentage of all minority and ethic groups in America.
Shorrosh is a member of the Oxford Society of Scholars, has traveled in 76 countries, and is a lecturer and producer of TV documentaries. ''Islam Revealed'' is a bestseller now in its eighth printing. His forthcoming 10th book, from which the -point plan is abridged, is titled ''Islam: A Threat or a Challenge.''
(14) Black Muslims Create 'Explosive Mix' in Terror WarBlack Muslims Create 'Explosive Mix' in Terror War, Says AuthorBy Marc MoranoCNSNews.com Senior Staff WriterNovember 14, 02 (CNSNews.com) - A burgeoning black Muslim movement in America includes many who converted to the religion while behind bars and who are ready-made terrorists as soon as they leave prison, according to several Islamic and terrorism experts who spoke with CNSNews.com. Islamic expert Daniel Pipes believes "it's indisputable" that many prisoners who convert to Islam are being indoctrinated in anti-Americanism. "Prisoners are upset. Add the kind of grievances that these individuals have and you have an explosive mix and a very ripe population for anti- American, anti-Western ideology," Pipes told CNSNews.com. Pipes is the author of the recently published book "Militant Islam Reaches America." One such prisoner was Jose Padilla, the one-time Chicago street hood who converted to Islam while serving jail time and then allegedly conspired with al Qaeda terrorists to unleash a "dirty bomb" on American soil. Admitted shoe bomber Richard C. Reid, converted to Islam while behind bars in England. Pipes thinks prisons must stop allowing political infiltration of any kind. "Religious succor and guidance are welcome, but the chaplains must be strictly, strictly controlled so they don't engage in any kind of political activities," he explained. However, Pipes added, "Wardens and their staffs tend not to see this as their business." He has raised the ire of Muslims across the world with his writings that warn of a militant Islamic threat. In Pipes' view, militant Islam is a threat equivalent to Nazism or Communism. "Militant Islam, Middle-Eastern Islam, sees itself in a cosmic battle over the future course of the planet Earth, in much the way the fascists and communists did," Pipes said. "This is the big story, this is what it is about in their eyes. Violence is one part, not the only part. Making converts in prison is another part," he added. 'Islam Growing Behind Bars' Chuck Colson, head of the Christian-based Prison Fellowship Ministries, believes, "It's no accident that Islam is growing behind bars." Colson was a Nixon White House aide who went to jail in the Watergate scandal of the 1970s. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed written in June, Colson wrote, "Al Qaeda training manuals specifically identify America's prisoners as candidates for conversion because they may be 'disenchanted with their countries' policies.'" According to Colson, one out of every six inmates in America's prisons is an adherent to Islam, and the faith especially appeals to minorities
"Two million people occupy America's prisons and jails today - two thirds of whom are non-white. Many feel oppressed by the white power structure and sentencing disparities, which too often fall most harshly on minorities," Colson wrote. "Alienated, disenfranchised people are prime targets for radical Islamists who preach a religion of violence, of overcoming oppression by jihad," he added. Colson believes ex-prisoners constitute a major threat, especially because they need not worry about immigration problems
"As U.S. citizens, [ex-prisoners] will combine a desire for 'payback' with an ability to blend easily into American culture," he wrote
Islam a 'Motivating Factor' Larry Johnson, a former CIA and State Department officer as well as a counter-terrorism expert, agrees the homegrown Islamic terrorist threat is real, even the brand developed outside prison walls
Johnson called serial sniper suspect John Muhammad's "brand of Islam" a "motivating factor" in the alleged multi-state killing spree Muhammad is believed to have waged with teenaged accomplice John Malvo
"Whatever it is that [Muhammad] believes he was practicing and following, I believe will be discovered to be the motivating factor for these attacks," Johnson told CNSNews.com
Although he did not convert in prison, Muhammad was affiliated with the Nation of Islam (NOI), a black nationalist group led by Rev. Louis Farrakhan, which has a very aggressive prison outreach program
According to Johnson, NOI "does not promote the values and mindset that encourage people to get along" and "it can take folks who have grievance and aggravate those grievances to a point that they may be willing to use violence." Farrakhan's incendiary rhetoric on racial politics and American foreign policy adds to the tension, Johnson said. "Unfortunately, Farrakhan has been very much involved in making statements that will encourage people to use violence, have blacks use violence against whites," he said
Johnson believes there's no question Muhammad was a follower of radical Islam
"He is a Muslim for 17 years, but in that 17-year period, it's only within the last year after 9/11 that he feels compelled to change his name to Muhammad. I view that as a symbolic gesture of trying to assert more allegiance to the more extremist elements," Johnson said
"That coupled with statements attributed to him expressing sympathy for attacks on 9/11, puts him into a category with a group of Muslim extremists," he added
Muhammad and Malvo are suspects in a series of handgun and rifle shootings that culminated in the sniper attacks that terrorized the Washington, D.C., area in October. The two were arrested Oct. 24 and are jailed without bail
Johnson, however, stops short of accusing Farrakhan's organization of creating a breeding ground for future terrorists
"At the end of the day, average members of Nation of Islam recognize there is no upside to getting into that because it destroys them," he said
Islam 'The Religion of Peace' Nation of Islam member David Muhammad, writing an Oct. 29 essay for the Pacific News Service, rejected any link between the sniper suspect's actions, his Muslim faith and his membership in NOI. "If John Allen Muhammad is indeed the sniper ... his acts are as far away from Islam and the teachings of the Nation of Islam as Pluto is from sun," David Muhammad wrote
"I was taught that Islam was the religion of peace," he added. David Muhammad pointed out that John Muhammad had "severed his ties with the Nation [of Islam] in 1999."Noting that the sniper suspect killed several African Americans and other nationalities, David Muhammad wrote, "The sniper's motives were obviously not about race." 'Ridiculous' Farrakhan, addressing the sniper case at an Oct. 26 press conference, said it's "ridiculous" that anyone would link the sniper's actions with NOI's teachings. "None of that is our teaching at all," he said. "Timothy McVeigh confessed that he was a Christian, but nobody blames the church for his misconduct," Farrakhan added. Michael Young, editor of the on-line journal, "Islam For Today," does not believe Islam was a motivating factor for John Muhammad. "I don't think that this sniper fellow is anymore representative of the Nation of Islam or mainstream Islam than say David Koresh and the Waco siege guys were representative of any form of Christianity," Young said
Ibrahim Hooper, communications director for the Council on American- Islamic Relations (CAIR), also rejects any link between the sniper suspects and their faith
"You can't hang the sniper on us, come on," Hooper told CNSNews.com. "[Muhammad] was just a deranged criminal," he said. Five Percenters There is speculation among members of law enforcement that John Muhammad may have been affiliated with other moremilitant Black Muslim groups such as the Five Percenters or Jamaat al-Fuqra
Five Percenters, a breakaway militant sectof the Nation of Islam, was founded by Clarence "Pudding" 13X in 1964
Pipes said the group is comprised of "Violent ex-cons, hoods, [and] un-socialized individuals" who believe black "men arecalled Gods and [black] women are called earths." The name "Five Percenters" refers to the five percent of the Earth's population who are believed to be God-like. Pipes saidthe Five Percenters employ, "Creative patter and imaginative use of words" as their trademark. The Five Percenters'philosophy is popular with some present day hip hop and rap musicians. The speculation about John Muhammad's membership in the Five Percenters centers around a note left at the scene of one of the killings proclaiming to police, "I am God." Law enforcement officials are also looking at the possibility that Muhammad may have ties to the alleged U.S. terror organization, Jamaat al-Fuqra. Pakistani Sheik Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani founded Jamaat al- Fuqra in the 1980s. Pipes said this group "very much needs to be seen in the context of jihad." U.S. policy with regard to fighting Islamic terrorism is inadequate, Pipes added. "We are in la-la land here," he said.See Related Story: Terrorism Has 'Everything To Do With Islam,' Author Charges (13 Nov 02)
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page3D\Nation\archive\ 02
FBI Targets Black Muslims in Anti-Terrorist WatchBy PATRICK J. MCDONNELLTimes Staff Writer July 02 SEATTLE -- The brawny man in the Muslim skullcap gestured toward a brick apartment building across the street from where he was standing guard at a shelter for homeless families. "See that window over there?" said the man, Abdul-Hakim, pointing to an upper floor. "The FBI watches me from that window." The FBI will not comment. But a federal investigation of a possible terrorist cell in the Pacific Northwest is focusing on a group of African American converts to Islam, possibly opening a new chapter in the domestic war on terrorism. Across the nation, court papers suggest that FBI anxiety about radical African American Muslims has reemerged in the last decade as the bureau has concentrated on Islamic terrorism. Federal investigations into the World Trade Center bombing in 1993 and a related plot to blow up New York landmarks discovered the names of black Americans associated with the "blind sheik," Omar Abdel Rahman, now serving a life term for his part in the bombing conspiracy. Among those convicted in the same plot was U.S.-born Rodney Hampton-el, a former New York clinic worker and ex-moujahedeen volunteer in Afghanistan. "FBI scrutiny of African American Muslims has clearly increased since the [1993] World Trade Center bombing," said Ihsan Bagby, a professor at Shaw University in North Carolina who has studied the nation's Muslims. "A lot of this is a combination of a focus on terrorism and an agenda about black 'radicals' and Muslims--all lumped together." The Seattle investigation turns on the notion that foreign terrorists may have recruited on U.S. soil among African American Muslims, and may even have sponsored a "jihad training camp" in the Oregon backcountry with U.S. collaborators. Law enforcement documents obtained by The Times say that an American man who worshiped at one of the mosques here may have served as a liaison for recruits seeking entry into Afghan terrorist training camps. In addition, documents show, he and his brother were suspected of scouting targets "for a terrorist operation" during a road trip back to Seattle last month. The inquiry has sent a shudder through a small, insular community whose members view themselves as having worked hard to banish crack dealers from their block. Abdul-Hakim says he worshiped with the two brothers. He said neither the brothers nor anyone else associated with the case ever advocated violence or terrorism. Most, if not all, strongly opposed U.S. policy in the Middle East, Abdul-Hakim said, but none ever preached violence. "We're still trying to figure out what Al Qaeda is," said Abdul-Hakim. "Muslims are under attack worldwide. Why are Muslims the only people not allowed to train in self-defense?" The specter of terrorism also surfaced in the case of Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin (formerly H. Rap Brown, the onetime black power firebrand), a charismatic Muslim convert who received a life sentence in Atlanta this spring for killing a sheriff's deputy in a shootout. The FBI investigated Al-Amin as a suspected terrorist in the years after the World Trade Center bombing, but Al-Amin was never charged. The movement founded by Al-Amin may be indirectly linked to the case in Seattle. The mosques in question here were said to have at least an informal affiliation with his group. Like the great majority of African American Muslims, neither the Atlanta nor Seattle groups were affiliated with the Nation of Islam and its leader, Louis Farrakhan, who promotes a black nationalist agenda. Instead, the Muslims now drawing federal attention attend mosques espousing a pro-Islam philosophy widely shared in the Muslim world. "It's not the policy of the FBI to investigate mosques or any other religious institution," said Charles Mandigo, the FBI chief in Seattle. "Any investigations that the FBI may be conducting would be based on the actions of individuals and not their religion, national origin, race, or any other such characteristics." Nevertheless, the disquieting scenario of home-grown terrorist recruits has set off alarms. A confidential FBI alert on the Seattle case last month was sent to field offices--as well as to the White House, CIA, State Department and other assorted government agencies. A copy was obtained by The Times. The two brothers apparently targeted in the Seattle case--who had not previously been publicly identified--issued a news release on Monday denying any links to terrorism. The release identified the pair as James and Mustafa Ujaama. According to the FBI document, they were born in Denver, reared in Seattle and their given names and ages are Earl James Thompson, 36, and Jon Alexander Thompson, 34. "These two gentlemen are community activists, not terrorists," declared Ron Sims, the King County executive, who is the highest-ranking African American elected official in the state of Washington. "It's the McCarthy era all over again," said Charlie James, who heads a group called the Organization of African American Unity and who issued the news release on behalf of the brothers. Neither brother has been charged with a crime, and neither has been questioned by the FBI, but both have been subject to considerable surveillance, the law enforcement documents indicate. The two brothers, along with others under scrutiny, worshiped at several now-defunct storefront mosques just east of downtown Seattle that have been tied to Semi Osman, an immigrant of apparent Lebanese origin, who served as an imam, or prayer leader. Osman, 32, is a car mechanic and U.S. Navy reservist and is the only person known to have been arrested in the inquiry. He was charged with immigration and gun violations, but his attorney, Robert M. Leen, said the government is pressuring Osman to tell all about former acquaintances as part of the terrorism investigation. A search warrant executed at Osman's home turned up several weapons, anti-U.S. Islamic literature, military maps and "instructions on poisoning water sources," according to the federal law enforcement document. Leen said he had seen no evidence that water-poisoning directions were seized. Acquaintances describe the two brothers targeted by the FBI as hard-working fathers with small children. The younger sibling lives in Seattle and makes his living as a mechanic and used-car salesman. The older brother is an "entrepreneur" based in London, according to Charlie James. The older brother has written and privately published several inspirational books aimed at young African Americans. One book is called "The Young People's Guide To Starting a Business Without Selling Drugs." The older sibling also is reported to be the founder of stopamerica.org, a Web site harshly critical of U.S. actions abroad. The site lists offices in London; Karachi, Pakistan; and at an unspecified address on south Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles. "America's foreign policy makers have brought hate to the people of the United States," E.J. Ujaama states in a "founder's message" on the site. "We the people of the United States charge this government and their coalition with conspiracy to commit genocide and crimes of terrorism against Muslim people in our names." In particular, the FBI inquiry has zeroed in on the elder brother's supposed relationship with Abu Hamza al-Masri, a militant London-based sheik whom U.S. authorities regard as a recruiter for Al Qaeda. The FBI document states that the American "worked for and provided services to" the cleric, including taking computers to the Taliban before the U.S. invasion. According to the FBI document, the asserted "jihad training camp" was carried out in November 1999 "in concert with" Hamza al-Masri at a ranch in the secluded community of Bly, in south-central Oregon. The London sheik, whose Finsbury Park mosque is a center of radical Islam in Europe, has denied any connection. The two brothers did travel to Bly, James conceded, but he said the trip was for recreational "practice shooting," not for terrorism training. The FBI is attempting to determine who visited the site. The wide-ranging investigation based here may have arisen from intelligence gleaned from interrogations of prisoners at the U.S. military lockup at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Specifically, the documents cite the case of a British citizen, Feroz Abbasi, who was captured in December by U.S. forces while allegedly defending the former Taliban stronghold of Kunduz. U.S. authorities state that the elder of the Seattle brothers introduced Abbasi "to individuals at Al Qaeda facilities in Afghanistan," thus enabling his "matriculation" into a "terror training camp." Now, in Seattle, "the FBI is watching all the time," said Abdul-Hakim, the mosque member. By Abdul-Hakim's account, the Muslims at the mosques in question here adhered to ostensibly mainstream teachings of Islam, worshiping alongside immigrants from Africa, Asia and elsewhere. Along with providing spiritual guidance, the mosques take an active role in helping to purge the area of crack purveyors and other criminals, which occasionally results in conflicts with drug dealers. One of the mosques ran afoul of the clientele of a bar-poolroom a few doors down. At some point, according to police, officers responding to a report of an assault were told weapons had been stored in the mosque. Worshipers maintained that the arms were for self-defense against drug dealers and others; the weapons may have been placed there by unauthorized mosque visitors, according to Abdul-Hakim. No charges were filed. At one of the Seattle mosques, Osman became involved in discussions about how to obtain a steady source of meat prepared according to Muslim dietary laws, or halal meat.That's when congregants first heard that he was moving to Bly, apparently with a plan to raise sheep and goats to produce halal meat, Abdul-Hakim said.. Some fellow worshipers visited Osman in Bly, almost 400 miles southeast of Seattle. Among them were the two brothers from the mosque--for "target practice," according to James. According to the FBI document, Osman "helped coordinate" the "jihad training." Osman is believed to have lived at a 160-acre ranch near Bly with his wife, Angelica, a U.S.-born convert to Muslim, and her daughter, now 11, for several months beginning in late 1999. Neighbors said they saw and heard little evidence--such as automatic gunfire or large groups of strangers coming and going--that would have signaled a training camp. Nor were many African Americans or foreigners seen in a place where they would stand out. A knowledgeable source reported that after the Sept. 11 attacks, the FBI reviewed a December 1999 traffic stop of Osman. Two of his passengers may have been top aides to Hamza al-Masri, the controversial London sheik, the source said. After his livestock operation foundered, Osman and his family moved out. They eventually settled in Tacoma, Wash., and Osman enrolled in a computer course at a nearby university, continued his Navy Reserve drills and again worked as a car mechanic. But he hurt his back in an accident and was unable to put in many hours, said the station owner, Mohammad Siddiqui, an Indian Muslim who, like other co-workers, found Osman more enthusiastic about religion and politics than fixing cars. "He [Osman] talked a little bit too much," Siddiqui said as he rang up gasoline sales on a recent afternoon. "These days, talk can get you into trouble." Times staff writer William C. Rempel and researcher Nona Yates contributed to this report. Terrorism Has 'Everything To Do With Islam,' Author Two million people occupy America's prisons and jails today that is today......now multiply that by say 50 or so years, a revolving door and spread to others once outside.....that will kinda give you the scope of the depth.
In fighting among our own people right here in our own country when TSHTF.......will break the camels back.
Some of you think everybody here is going to come together for the good of the country.....HA!.....
when TSHTF.......you are going to see this country shatter into slinters like glass breaking.
Oh yeah http://www.latimes.com/templates/misc/printstory.jsp?slug3Dla%2Dna%2Dmos
(15) Radicals recruit in U.S. prisonsCharlotte Observer | Tue, Jun. 25, 02 | CAL THOMAS Posted on 6/25/02 8:31 AM Pacific by Gaston The mail brings a letter from a self-identified African American prison inmate. He predicts Islam will take over the world and America's days are numbered. Several letters of the same type have arrived since Sept. 11. This man is one of many converts to radical Islam under a program indirectly funded by Saudi Arabian money through the National Islamic Prison Foundation, which underwrites a "prison outreach" program. This program is likely to be discussed at the fifth annual Islam in American Prisons Conference, scheduled for July 5-7 at the Holiday Inn O'Hare International in Rosemont, Ill
One of the co-sponsors of the gathering is the Islamic Society of North America, which has ties to other Muslim groups in the United States, some of which are up to no good. Let us hope that under the new Justice Department guidelines, the FBI will be attending and taking notes
Prison Fellowship Chairman Charles Colson, who heads a Christian ministry to prisoners, believes radical Islamic clerics, trained in Saudi Arabia, are converting large numbers of African-American inmates not only to their religion, but to their political objectives, including virulent anti-Americanism. Colson thinks such inmates could serve the radicals as terrorists once they are released, murdering their own countrymen in a kind of "payback" for perceived injustices done to them by white America
Last Oct, The New York Times quoted Faheem Shuaibe, imam at a large, predominately black mosque in Oakland, Calif., as saying that more than 0 African American imams have been trained so far in Saudi Arabia. Shuaibe told the newspaper: "There was a very deliberate recruitment process by the Saudis, trying to find black Muslims who had a real potential for Islamic learning and also for submission to their agenda. They taught Islam with the intent to expand their influence. A principal target was to stop the indigenous Muslim leadership in America from tinkering with their religion." According to the Times story, the brand of Islam being taught and exported was the most extreme sect, known as Wahhabism
"These are bad guys," says Colson, who contrasts his Christian ministry, which uses volunteers to visit inmates, with the "extreme agenda" of the Wahhabbi Muslims, who do not utilize volunteers, but rely on imams. Colson says he has been in 600 prisons (counting the one in which he served time for Watergate crimes). He calls some of the anger of black inmates "legitimate" because of sentence disparity and the anger they feel at themselves. These angry men are being shaped by radical clerics in a way that will threaten America's interests when they get out
There are 2 million people in American prisons. Most are men and only 30 percent are white. "If only 5 percent of the African American population is disaffected," says Colson, "that is an enormous pool from which the radicals can draw." Inmates of whatever faith, or of no faith, are entitled to visits by lay or professional ministers. But Supreme Court rulings grant the prison system the right to determine who might undermine order and who best preserves it. Wardens in state prisons and officials in the Federal Bureau of Prisons should issue new guidelines and bar radical Islamists
While the government is at it, a serious investigation should be conducted into the proliferation of Islamic front groups in this country. Influential American political activists are rumored to be taking money from Islamic states and seeking to shape U.S. foreign and domestic policies that may not be in the best interests of their own country. They should also be the focus of journalistic concern
This is war, after all. German spies were hunted down and exposed during World War II, as were spies and other threats to American freedoms during the Cold War. We should be doing the same with this greater contemporary threat
Cal Thomas
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/705661/posts
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(The Left and Radical Muslim) Extremists on CampusNew York Post | June 25, 02 | Daniel Pipes Posted on 6/25/02 8:22 AM Pacific by 1bigdictator Extremists on Campus by Daniel Pipes and Jonathan Schanzer New York Post June 25, 02 http://www.danielpipes.org/article/424 http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/51063.htm For three decades, left-wing extremists have dominated American academics, spouting odd but seemingly harmless theories about "deconstruction," "post-modernism," "race, gender and class," while venting against the United States, its government and its allies
Only these ideas are not so harmless. The radical notions espoused in the classrooms and in campus demonstrations have recently had dangerous consequences. These are especially visible with regard to the Arab-Israeli conflict
Consider some of the steps American professors took during 02:
Columbia University: Hamid Dabashi, a specialist on Iran, compared Israel's military maneuvers in Jenin (to prevent future suicide bombings) with the Nazi Holocaust. When one student protested his canceling class to attend a rabidly anti-Israel sit-in, he sneeringly replied, "I apologize if canceling our class in solidarity with [Palestinian] victims of a genocide . . . inconvenienced you." Joseph Massad, a Jordan specialist at Columbia, spoke at that same anti-Israel rally, calling Israel "a Jewish supremacist and racist state" that, he proclaimed, "should be threatened." This is in addition to a talk with the inflammatory title "On Zionism and Jewish Supremacy" and a course that (students report) served as a soapbox for anti-Israeli polemics.
SUNY-Binghamton: Robert Ostergard of the political-science department converted his course into an anti-Zionist platform. One guest speaker, Ali Mazrui, presented a lecture that a student called "a 45-minute diatribe against Israel" equating Zionism with fascism, Israel with apartheid South Africa and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with Hitler.
Kent State University, Ohio: Julio C?sar Pino of the history department published an ode to a Palestinian suicide bomber, lauding her courage and calling on Allah to "elevate your place in paradise."
University of Oregon: In a course entitled "Social Inequality," the sociology department's Douglas Card called Israel "a terrorist state" and Israelis "baby-killers" and insisted that students agree with his view that Israel "stole land" on the final exam. One student said Card bashed Israel and Jews "at every opportunity."
UC-Berkeley: The English department's Snehal Shingavi, a leader of "Students for Justice in Palestine," announced a course on "The Politics and Poetics of Palestinian Resistance" with the now-infamous "warning" to conservatives "to seek other sections." In brief, instructors routinely tout wild-eyed politics and openly wield their authority to indoctrinate students. At times, they even admit this, as in the case of Andrew Ross, the then-Princeton English professor who boasted in 1990 that he was using his position to radicalize "the children of the ruling class." Not surprisingly, some interpret all this as implicit permission to harass Jewish and pro-Israel students. The result: a wave of verbal and physical attacks.
At San Francisco State University, anti-Israel students physically threatened students marching for Israel while shouting phrases like, "Die, you racist pigs," and "Hitler should have finished the job," prompting the school's president to admit that he was never "as deeply distressed and angered by something that happened on this campus" in his 14 years there
Even after this incident, pro-Palestinian students continued to use an SFSU-owned Web page to engage in Holocaust denial and accuse Jews of ritual murder.
At Berkeley, anti-Israel students occupied a classroom building, leading to the arrest of 79 of them, including one charged with a felony for biting a police officer.
At the University of Colorado at Boulder, students desecrated an Israeli flag and chalked anti-Semitic slogans on the main campus walkway.
At the University of Illinois, they assaulted with rocks a home flying an Israeli flag, shattering the front window
Although professors teaching Middle East-related courses are the most responsible for this degeneration on campus, others, too, are complicit. By indulging the Middle East specialists' radicalism and efforts at indoctrination, alumni, administrators, parents, other faculty, Education Department officials and state legislators effectively condone those activities
The time has come for all these stakeholders to take back the universities as institutions of civilized discourse. This can be done only by ending the now-regnant atmosphere of extremism and intimidation. The place to start is by condemning and curbing the leftist activism that too often passes for Middle East scholarship
To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this list, go to http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/dplist Daniel Pipes sends out a mailing of his writings approximately twice per week
To comment on the article, please go to <http://www.danielpipes.org/article/424#comment>http://www.danielpipes.org/article/424#comment Most articles are also available online at: <http://www.DanielPipes.org>http://www.DanielPipes.org
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The mail brings a letter from a self-identified African American prison inmate. He predicts Islam will take over the world and America's days are numbered. Several letters of the same type have arrived since Sept. 11.This man is one of many converts to radical Islam under a program indirectly funded by Saudi Arabian money through the National Islamic Prison Foundation, which underwrites a "prison outreach" program. This program is likely to be discussed at the fifth annual Islam in American Prisons Conference, scheduled for July 5-7 at the Holiday Inn O'HareInternational in Rosemont, Ill. One of the co-sponsors of the gathering is the Islamic Society of North America, which has ties to other Muslim groups in the United States, some of which are up to no good. Let us hope that under the new Justice Department guidelines, theFBI will be attending and taking notes. Prison Fellowship Chairman Charles Colson, who heads a Christian ministry to prisoners, believes radical Islamic clerics, trained in Saudi Arabia, are converting large numbers of African-American inmates not only to their religion, but to their political objectives, including virulent anti-Americanism. Colson thinks such inmates could serve the radicals as terrorists once they are released, murdering their own countrymen in a kind of "payback" for perceived injustices done to them by white America
Last Oct, The New York Times quotedFaheem Shuaibe, imam at a large, predominately black mosque in Oakland, Calif., as saying that more than 0 AfricanAmerican imams have been trained so far in Saudi Arabia. Shuaibe told the newspaper: "There was a very deliberate recruitment process by the Saudis, trying to find black Muslims who had a real potential for Islamic learning and also for submission to their agenda. They taught Islam with the intent to expand their influence. A principal target was to stop the indigenous Muslim leadership in America from tinkering with their religion." According to the Times story, the brand of Islam being taught and exported was the most extreme sect, known as Wahhabism."These are bad guys," says Colson, who contrasts his Christian ministry, which uses volunteers to visit inmates, with the"extreme agenda" of the Wahhabbi Muslims, who do not utilize volunteers, but rely on imams. Colson says he has been in 600 prisons (counting the one in which he served time for Watergate crimes). He calls some of the anger of black inmates "legitimate" because of sentence disparity and the anger they feel at themselves. These angry men are being shaped by radical clerics in a way that will threaten America's interests when they get out.
There are 2 million people in American prisons. Most are men and only 30 percent are white. "If only 5 percent of the African American population is disaffected," says Colson, "that is an enormous pool from which the radicals can draw."
Inmates of whatever faith, or of no faith, are entitled to visits by lay or professional ministers. But Supreme Court rulings grant the prison system the right to determine who might undermine order and who best preserves it. Wardens in state prisons and officials in the Federal Bureau of Prisons should issue new guidelines and bar radical Islamists.
While the government is at it, a serious investigation should be conducted into the proliferation of Islamic front groups in this country. Influential American political activists are rumored to be taking money from Islamic states and seeking to shape U.S. foreign and domestic policies that may not be in the best interests of their own country. They should also be the focus of journalistic concern.
This is war, after all. German spies were hunted down and exposed during World War II, as were spies and other threats to American freedoms during the Cold War. We should be doing the same with this greater contemporary threat. Cal Thomas
The spread of Islam in the Americas http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/701399/posts
Islam in Prisons in the USA islamonline | 8/31/01 Posted on 6/17/02 8:31 AM Pacific by swarthyguy
In the 1940s, the only religious services permitted in U.S. prisons were for Christianity. The only other exception was for Judaism, and a rabbi from outside the prison was provided to offer Sabbath services. The Qur'an was not allowed in prisons and if found with an inmate, was confiscated. Then in the 1960s, the famous Shabbaz vs. the State legal ruling gave Muslims their initial legal recognition
Although once strange and feared, Islam is no longer an unknown entity within American prisons and is almost accorded the same recognition as Christianity and Judaism. Currently, there are approximately 350,000 Muslims in Federal, state and local prisons - with 30,000-40,000 being added to that number each year. These inmates mostly came into prison as non-Muslims. But, it so happens that once inside the prison a majority turns to Islam for the fulfillment of spiritual needs. Thus, finding new meaning to their lives, along with self-respect for themselves they never could have envisioned before in the streets. Islam has brought about an abrupt change in their personalities is even acknowledged by their non-Muslim overseers
Having lost all contact with the outside world, prison inmates lead a very secluded life. This loss of contact takes its toll on them, gnawing at their psyche and leading to boredom and depression. Thus, the major cause of death within prison walls is suicide. But strangely, this isolation also works to their advantage by giving them a major asset that people in the outside world, especially in the West, do not possess. This is the asset of time, and they have plenty of it. Utilizing it, a substantial number of them turn to religion for spiritual fulfillment. More than any other religion, Islam meets this yearning. It is estimated that of those who seek faith while imprisoned, about 80% come to Islam. This fact alone is a major contributor to the phenomenal growth of Islam in the U.S. Larry Poston (00) observes a pattern in conversion to Islam in Western societies
It starts by disillusionment with one's original religion, followed by a long period of exploration for alternatives. The search ends in dropping other alternatives in favor of Islam. Those converting are characterized by seekership and retain a religious problem-solving perspective. Two factors stand out as most significant for those encountering Islam
First, some personal contact with a Muslim acquaintance or friend, and through this casual social association, an attraction to Islam. Second, exposure to Islamic literature of some kind - including the Qur'an - which allows for a careful and deliberate evaluation in decision making. This observation also holds true for those imprisoned. An inmate mostly studying on his own, or by his listening to another inmate and impressed by his personal example, becomes convinced by and finds guidance within Islam. Poston states that Islam becomes a middle point in this search between Western and Eastern religions
The converts are familiar with historical descriptions in the Qur'an and are attracted by distinctive characteristics of Islam that separate it from Christianity or Judaism, such as: no clerical hierarchy or a privileged class; its egalitarianism; its comprehensivity encompassing a political, economic and social agenda for this world; and its superb rationality. Islam is even more distinct from other Eastern religious alternatives. God, the Creator and Lord of the Universe, is One; as well as personally involved in human affairs, communicating via His Book, His Angels and His Prophets; there is a moral order and humans are answerable to God for their actions. The Islamic worldview carries a purpose and meaning
Humankind is God's representative on Earth and endowed with His trust. There will be an ending; and a final resurrection leading to a final judgement followed by a state of eternal existence. Poston also applauds the great blessing within Islam that a convert enjoys most: a support group of international proportions. This is the universal Islamic Ummah, which surpasses all distinctions of race, color and geographic location. Thus, a convert is initiated into a worldwide network that provides him with a consistent confirmation of his decision. Such a sense of belonging is particularly valuable for an inmate who is cut off from the world. From my personal experience as a chaplain in the U.S. Federal penal system, Islam is most impressive for prison inmates because of its simplicity, comprehensiveness, universal egalitarianism, and the brotherhood of its community. It has special appeal to those who are oppressed and are not tied to any privileged class
Thus, African Americans are historically attracted to it, and constitute the majority of inmates accepting Islam. Also, inmates particularly appreciate Islamic practices because they are unbound by any institutional or hierarchical requirement. An inmate does not need a church authority for its confirmation; in fact, Islam is antagonistic to any concept of clerical hierarchy
Indeed, he can perform the prayers without resorting to outside attestation. One cannot but be impressed by the elegance of the five daily obligatory salat (prayers) performed in a group. As another instance, the month of Ramadan in particular, has a special significance for inmates in prison. The self-discipline and devotion it inspires impresses them. It is a time of intense spiritual activity along with abstention from food and drink. The days are spent in reading the Qur'an and reflecting on its message, interspersed by obligatory and supererogatory prayers and the evenings in special prayers (taraweeh) ending in nightly vigil (tahajjud). It serves to solidify their bonds of brotherhood. With these palpable changes, their behavior becomes exemplary. Islam places great emphasis on the reformation of an individual within a society
Even more so, on individuals who are guilty of a crime: they should be reminded and helped in this endeavor. Reformation and rehabilitation of an inmate must start within the prison and continue when he or she leaves. Individual reformation starts with a self-purification process (tazkia tun-nafs) that includes cultivation of faith (iman) and God-consciousness (taqwa), combined with the righteous conduct (aml salih). A believer must be constantly engaged in this struggle (jihad) of tazkia tun-nafs with his ultimate desire being to attain the grace (rahmah) and pleasure (rida) of God. Most inmates come into prison with a variety of addictions. An anti-addiction group called Millat Islami, wherever active, has had remarkable success among inmates. Islamic rehabilitation for addicts aims at changing his/her heart and mind by developing taqwa, thereby generating a sincere and conscientious effort to give up the addiction. Such addicts must be constantly persuaded and carefully reminded of the Islamic prohibition against intoxicants. For the weak, Islam offers the motive of tawbah (repentance) and of asking for forgiveness from the Lord and Creator who is Tawwab (Often Returning), regardless of how often one falters if they repent sincerely. For those complying with God's edict, the immediate reward is apparent psychological elation and personal fulfillment. Unfortunately, there is a dire shortage of qualified persons who can teach Islam in an institutional setting
Because most of Islam is self-taught, an inmate's understanding is often skewed, with more emphasis placed on exterior appearances such as wearing a koofi (skullcap), and possessing a prayer rug and prayer beads. Also, initially, because of its black nationalism aspects, African American converts to Islam were predominantly associated with the Nation of Islam started by Elijah Muhammad. Presently, most are merged into one community of believers representing the universal Ummah with one creed and belief focusing on the centrality of Allah
Internalization of Islam comes with time, study and reflection. Inmates want to learn and become better Muslims, but there is little support provided them from the outside. There are very few Muslim chaplains in U.S. prisons. For example, of the more than 0 chaplains in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, less than a dozen are Muslim. The situation is not much different in state and local prison systems. The only possible exception is the state of New York, which has more than 40 full-time Muslim chaplains due to its large population of Muslim inmates. Contracting with local Islamic centers makes up for deficiencies in most cases. But while volunteers of other faiths flood federal, state and local prisons, regrettably few Muslims volunteer. It is generally recognized that the rate of recidivism among Muslims is low and a majority of them are far less likely to become repeat offenders. Sadly, however, after their release only about 25% of them can pursue their Islamic practices with any regularity. This is because most of their time is taken up by employment needs and the need to deal with bills for expenses incurred by the family while the inmate was incarcerated. There is little time available to visit Islamic centers and/or meet with the community
It is time that the Muslim community appraises itself of its obligation of dawa (Islamic outreach), and in particular of its responsibility towards the incarcerated. They must overcome the inhibitions against involvement in prisons and the fear of contact with criminals. Not only do the Muslims inside prison need help, but more importantly, so do the Muslim ex-offenders after their release. They must be supported in their journey within Islam and must be shown how to become contributing members of the Islamic community. The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) have been bringing prison chaplains and volunteers together since 1998 in their "Islam in American Prison" conferences. These delegates deliberate on various ways of serving inmates, such as the provision of free literature within prison, helping the families of those incarcerated, building halfway houses for those released, and similar other beneficial measures. Whether American Muslims urgently respond to their recommendations for this neglected part of the community, is yet to be seen. 1940s, the only religious services permitted in U.S. prisons were for Christianity. The only other exception was for Judaism, and a rabbi from outside the prison was provided to offer Sabbath services. The Qur'an was not allowed in prisons and if found with an inmate, was confiscated. Then in the 1960s, the famous Shabbaz vs. the State legal ruling gave Muslims their initial legal recognition.
Although once strange and feared, Islam is no longer an unknown entity within American prisons and is almost accorded the same recognition as Christianity and Judaism. Currently, there are approximately 350,000 Muslims in Federal, state and local prisons - with 30,000-40,000 being added to that number each year. These inmates mostly came into prison as non-Muslims. But, it so happens that once inside the prison a majority turns to Islam for the fulfillment of spiritual needs. Thus, finding new meaning to their lives, along with self-respect for themselves they never could have envisioned before in the streets. Islam has brought about an abrupt change in their personalities is even acknowledged by their non-Muslim overseers.
Having lost all contact with the outside world, prison inmates lead a very secluded life. This loss of contact takes its toll on them, gnawing at their psyche and leading to boredom and depression. Thus, the major cause of death within prison walls is suicide. But strangely, this isolation also works to their advantage by giving them a major asset that people in the outside world, especially in the West, do not possess. This is the asset of time, and they have plenty of it. Utilizing it, a substantial number of them turn to religion for spiritual fulfillment. More than any other religion, Islam meets this yearning. It is estimated that of those who seek faith while imprisoned, about 80% come to Islam. This fact alone is a major contributor to the phenomenal growth of Islam in the U.S. Larry Poston ( 00) observes a pattern in conversion to Islam in Western societies.
It starts by disillusionment with one's original religion, followed by a long period of exploration for alternatives. The search ends in dropping other alternatives in favor of Islam. Those converting are characterized by seekership and retain a religious problem-solving perspective. Two factors stand out as most significant for those encountering Islam.
First, some personal contact with a Muslim acquaintance or friend, and through this casual social association, an attraction to Islam. Second, exposure to Islamic literature of some kind - including the Qur'an - which allows for a careful and deliberate evaluation in decision making. This observation also holds true for those imprisoned. An inmate mostly studying on his own, or by his listening to another inmate and impressed by his personal example, becomes convinced by and finds guidance within Islam. Poston states that Islam becomes a middle point in this search between Western and Eastern religions.
The converts are familiar with historical descriptions in the Qur'an and are attracted by distinctive characteristics of Islam that separate it from Christianity or Judaism, such as: no clerical hierarchy or a privileged class; its egalitarianism; its comprehensivity encompassing a political, economic and social agenda for this world; and its superb rationality. Islam is even more distinct from other Eastern religious alternatives. God, the Creator and Lord of the Universe, is One; as well as personally involved in human affairs, communicating via His Book, His Angels and His Prophets; there is a moral order and humans are answerable to God for their actions. The Islamic worldview carries a purpose and meaning.
Humankind is God's representative on Earth and endowed with His trust. There will be an ending; and a final resurrection leading to a final judgement followed by a state of eternal existence. Poston also applauds the great blessing within Islam that a convert enjoys most: a support group of international proportions. This is the universal Islamic Ummah, which surpasses all distinctions of race, color and geographic location. Thus, a convert is initiated into a worldwide network that provides him with a consistent confirmation of his decision. Such a sense of belonging is particularly valuable for an inmate who is cut off from the world. From my personal experience as a chaplain in the U.S. Federal penal system, Islam is most impressive for prison inmates because of its simplicity, comprehensiveness, universal egalitarianism, and the brotherhood of its community. It has special appeal to those who are oppressed and are not tied to any privileged class.
Thus, African Americans are historically attracted to it, and constitute the majority of inmates accepting Islam. Also, inmates particularly appreciate Islamic practices because they are unbound by any institutional or hierarchical requirement. An inmate does not need a church authority for its confirmation; in fact, Islam is antagonistic to any concept of clerical hierarchy.
Indeed, he can perform the prayers without resorting to outside attestation. One cannot but be impressed by the elegance of the five daily obligatory salat (prayers) performed in a group. As another instance, the month of Ramadan in particular, has a special significance for inmates in prison. The self-discipline and devotion it inspires impresses them. It is a time of intense spiritual activity along with abstention from food and drink. The days are spent in reading the Qur'an and reflecting on its message, interspersed by obligatory and supererogatory prayers and the evenings in special prayers (taraweeh) ending in nightly vigil (tahajjud). It serves to solidify their bonds of brotherhood. With these palpable changes, their behavior becomes exemplary. Islam places great emphasis on the reformation of an individual within a society.
Even more so, on individuals who are guilty of a crime: they should be reminded and helped in this endeavor. Reformation and rehabilitation of an inmate must start within the prison and continue when he or she leaves. Individual reformation starts with a self-purification process (tazkia tun-nafs) that includes cultivation of faith (iman) and God-consciousness (taqwa), combined with the righteous conduct (aml salih). A believer must be constantly engaged in this struggle (jihad) of tazkia tun-nafs with his ultimate desire being to attain the grace (rahmah) and pleasure (rida) of God. Most inmates come into prison with a variety of addictions. An anti-addiction group called Millat Islami, wherever active, has had remarkable success among inmates. Islamic rehabilitation for addicts aims at changing his/her heart and mind by developing taqwa, thereby generating a sincere and conscientious effort to give up the addiction. Such addicts must be constantly persuaded and carefully reminded of the Islamic prohibition against intoxicants. For the weak, Islam offers the motive of tawbah (repentance) and of asking for forgiveness from the Lord and Creator who is Tawwab (Often Returning), regardless of how often one falters if they repent sincerely. For those complying with God's edict, the immediate reward is apparent psychological elation and personal fulfillment. Unfortunately, there is a dire shortage of qualified persons who can teach Islam in an institutional setting.
Because most of Islam is self-taught, an inmate's understanding is often skewed, with more emphasis placed on exterior appearances such as wearing a koofi (skullcap), and possessing a prayer rug and prayer beads. Also, initially, because of its black nationalism aspects, African American converts to Islam were predominantly associated with the Nation of Islam started by Elijah Muhammad. Presently, most are merged into one community of believers representing the universal Ummah with one creed and belief focusing on the centrality of Allah.
Internalization of Islam comes with time, study and reflection. Inmates want to learn and become better Muslims, but there is little support provided them from the outside. There are very few Muslim chaplains in U.S. prisons. For example, of the more than 0 chaplains in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, less than a dozen are Muslim. The situation is not much different in state and local prison systems. The only possible exception is the state of New York, which has more than 40 full-time Muslim chaplains due to its large population of Muslim inmates. Contracting with local Islamic centers makes up for deficiencies in most cases. But while volunteers of other faiths flood federal, state and local prisons, regrettably few Muslims volunteer. It is generally recognized that the rate of recidivism among Muslims is low and a majority of them are far less likely to become repeat offenders. Sadly, however, after their release only about 25% of them can pursue their Islamic practices with any regularity. This is because most of their time is taken up by employment needs and the need to deal with bills for expenses incurred by the family while the inmate was incarcerated. There is little time available to visit Islamic centers and/or meet with the community.
It is time that the Muslim community appraises itself of its obligation of dawa (Islamic outreach), and in particular of its responsibility towards the incarcerated. They must overcome the inhibitions against involvement in prisons and the fear of contact with criminals. Not only do the Muslims inside prison need help, but more importantly, so do the Muslim ex-offenders after their release. They must be supported in their journey within Islam and must be shown how to become contributing members of the Islamic community. The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) have been bringing prison chaplains and volunteers together since 1998 in their "Islam in American Prison" conferences. These delegates deliberate on various ways of serving inmates, such as the provision of free literature within prison, helping the families of those incarcerated, building halfway houses for those released, and similar other beneficial measures. Whether American Muslims urgently respond to their recommendations for this neglected part of the community, is yet to be seen.
Today's Criminal Will Become Tomorrow's Islamic TerroristCNSNews.com | June 25, 02 | C.T. Rossi Posted on 6/25/02 5:40 AM Pacific by Stand Watch Listen
America is about to view a remake of a classic story. It's not a multi-million-dollar Hollywood comic book-turned-movie spectacle nor a modernized version of a long-favored stage drama. Rather, America is discovering a 700-year-old stage for herself - the story of the Janissaries.
The Janissaries were the elite fighting force of the Moslem Ottoman Empire for centuries. Their ranks were filled with young Christian men (who often converted to Islam) conscripted to fight for the sultan. They became instrumental in holding together the Ottoman Empire precisely because they were free from the tribal loyalties that left other Moslem Arabs and Turks, at times, conflicted. In today's parlance, we would merely call them Moslem extremists.
While most reporters (and unfortunately the White House) look at the John Walker Lindh and Jose Padilla stories as some type of strange socio-religious anomaly, these instances are anything but. The advent of Jihad Johnny and Abdullah al Muhajir represent the revival of a proved weapon of radical Islam - the Janissary warrior. And the recruitment has just begun
The key element in the recruitment of the new Janissaries is to seek out and evangelize those who are disaffected with Western culture. In the case of John Walker Lindh, Islam provided a young man with moral boundaries when his parents would (or could) not. With Jose Padilla, the story was different
Padilla was recruited to his new vocation as an Islamic terrorist after prison. Time will show that Padilla was not alone.
Perhaps the foremost expert in prison evangelization in America is Chuck Colson, co-founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries. Colson is now warning that the Islam being preached is neither "noble" nor "peaceful."
In the June 24 issue of the Wall Street Journal, Colson relates the story of how, when addressing an open meeting of prisoners, his use of the name Jesus was met with attempted censorship by Moslem inmates who upon hearing the name would turn up the volume on their portable radios. Not stopping there, Colson states that the multi-faith gathering came within a hare's breath of becoming a full-scale prison riot - his ability to quiet the Christian prisoners being the pivotal factor.
Colson also made mention that Al Qaeda training manuals outline plans whereby American inmates are targeted for conversion because such individuals may be "disenchanted with their country's policies." These "converts" are extremely useful to terrorist groups as the inmates "combine a desire for 'payback' with an ability to blend easily into American culture." This Islamic prison outreach, as recommended by Al Qaeda, is taking place - the most prominent ministry being the National Islamic Prison Foundation. Colson also notes that a main funder of such programs is none other than Saudi Arabia.
While the new American Janissaries, harvested from penitentiaries, could prove eminently useful to terrorist groups in waging a domestic terror campaign upon America, the solicitation of Moslem acolytes is not limited to American jails - nor even to America.
Islamic "missionaries" have also descended upon the volatile Chiapas region of Mexico. Since 1996, more than 300 conversions amongst the Mayan people have been made. According to the Houston Chronicle, the leader of the Islamic group, Shaykh Abdalqadir as-Sufi, "has sharply condemned democracy and global capitalism." The Chronicle also provided a telling quote from Moslem missionary Esteban Lopez: "There isn't a pure Islamic government in the world. That's what we hope to create."
All of these patterns lead us to serious questions that need to be asked
Many Moslems have traditionally been critical (if not paranoid) of the proselytizing nature of Christianity. Such skepticism about the honorable intentions of Christianity led to the imprisonment of Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer in Afghanistan for their overt religious discussions with Afghani locals. It is also the attitude that makes it illegal to wear the religious garb of a faith other than Islam in Saudi Arabia
But now Moslem missionaries seem to be turning up in the oddest places, places that are violent and unstable, places where the people might harbor animosity toward American society, places recommended in Al Qaeda's grand strategy. Saudi money also seems to be in play.
Are we prepared to ask the hard questions? Probably not.
And so the conscription of the new Janissaries continues. Under the guise (and legal protection) of a noble religion, the forces of radical Islam recruit disciples, for whom there is only one prerequisite - a hatred of America. All this is an old tale . . . but now it's coming to a theater near you.
(C.T. Rossi comments on contemporary culture for the Free Congress Foundation.) Free Congress Foundation http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/705600/posts
(16) <http://leb.net/pipermail/lexington-net/ 00-October/002361.html>http://leb.net/pipermail/lexington-net/ 00-October/002361.htmlIslam and Race Relations in Americaby Muqtedar KhanSeptember 29, 00
With a history of slavery, racial discrimination and intolerance, Americahas had more than its share of social divisions and internal discord.Needless to say, it still remains the best example of tolerance andpluralism that has been achieved in the modern world. While it was the whiteAmerican who practiced racism, it was also white Americans who took up armsto end racism -- whether it be through religious violence, abolitionists, orthrough a civil war. Nowhere in the world, do racial or any other minoritiesenjoy as much freedom or come so close to operational equality as doAfrican-Americans or Hispanics in the U.S.A. In many Muslim states,discrimination based on ethnicity is widespread. In some of these states,salaries are based on ethnicity and rather than experience orqualifications.
The crux of the argument is simple. For all its deficiencies in eliminatingdiscrimination, America is found lacking only in comparison to its ownideals and not with respect to any real society anywhere on the planet.Therefore, I am suggesting to all Muslims, of every race and ethnicity, torecognize the "good thing" they have here in America and do something aboutmaking it better, or at least to try and arrest its decline.
This appeal to American Muslims to contribute to improving race relations inAmerica, is not solely based on the fact that they have benefited from it,but on a sound premise that they are in an advantageous position tofacilitate it. Before I get into articulating the role that American Muslimscan play to improve race (un)relations, it would be useful to take a stockof the situation. For below the general nationalistic fervor, there arethree major social undercurrents flowing in America. They are, racism,ethnicity and religiosity.
In conditions when flag waving is not the most important preoccupation ofthe populace at large, as it was during the World Wars, the Cold War, andmost recently during the televised Gulf War, these undercurrents begin toinfluence the socio-political discourse of the country. The end of the ColdWar has turned the country inside out. While formerly it was externallyfocused on geopolitics, on keeping a close eye on the oil wells, on countingof guns and modern catapults, and on trying to peep over the iron curtain,it now has become internally focused. It is now more concerned with healthcare, crime, taxes, and on the life and times of former football greats.
Indeed, the election of Clinton, the first domestic policy President in along time, was adequate testimony to the inward refocusing of the nation.And naturally, when you begin to look, under the bed and in the closet, asopposed to looking out the window, one is most certainly going to find a lotto complain about. And that is what is happening to America. After years ofexternal orientation and of believing the autobiographical discourse(propaganda) of a society based on freedom and equality of opportunity,Americans is aghast and a tad bit irritated with the America that is lessthan what they believed it to be. All the divisions, the fault lines, andthe oversights in public policy are slowly coming into focus as Americanstake a long look at the America that came out victorious in the long andtedious, expensive and dangerous cold war. The irritated reaction, manifestin the pungent rhetoric on the airways, or even in Congress, is doing moreto aggravate the deficiencies than to address them constructively.
It is in this atmosphere of social tension and vitriolic discourse thatMuslims of America, who have benefited from the generosity and eventolerance of this great country, should pay their dues when it needs itmost. Muslims in America number anywhere around six million, according to aCongressional Quarterly Researcher report. This same report, (April 1993)also suggests that over 40%, of them are non-immigrant Americans. Whilethere is no census data available to make scientific arguments as to theracial or ethnic makeup of Muslims, enough anecdotal evidence is availableto argue that American Muslims include substantial numbers from both whiteand black races. Indeed, in some Muslim congregations in Northern Virginia,the Imamate is being done by Caucasians as well as African Americans.Muslims who follow their religion are able to transcend racial boundaries.It may be a rare sight to see a Caucasian member of an African Americanchurch, but to see a white offer namaaz (Muslim prayer) behind a black Imam,and vice versa is commonplace in mosques everywhere.
Christianity, Islam's older cousin, has similar universal claims. However,its execution in America has been far from impeccable. There are whitechurches and there are black churches. At one time this segregation wasformal. Now it is informal, habitual and perhaps even ideological. There isa White Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him) and a Black Jesus (pbuhtoo). Christianity in America, rather than transcending and eliminatingracial discrimination and segregation, has succumbed to the evils of colorintolerance.
Fortunately, Muslims have so far successfully resisted this evil. Again manywould disagree with this, but even the most intransigent of anti-Islamicistswould agree that racial discrimination was never institutionalized inIslamic history. They will also agree that Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) has neverbeen ahistorically appropriated by any racial or ethnic group.
We may recall that Malcolm X, one of the most militant of black racistleaders, completely turned a new leaf after his pilgrimage to Mecca. He wasstruck by the colorblind nature of Islam. On his return to America hisactions changed and his political pronouncements are evidence to thistransformation. This argument is certainly not an attempt to market Islam asthe solution to racial discord in America. It is an attempt to identify awidening window in American society which is color blind. A large group ofAmericans, who adhere to a set of values which has no room whatsoever forracial considerations, is gradually emerging as Islam settles in the States.And it is this multiracial group which can facilitate dialogue and action tobring the two races together. It is American Muslims who can and should actas mediators.
American Muslims are now in a position to introduce a third dimension intothe race equation, which can both mediate as well as demonstrate. AmericanMuslims already manifest racial harmony in Mosques, in community centerrelated activities and even in inter-racial marriages. There are over 1500Islamic Centers in the USA and most of them are exemplary centers of racialharmony. The only place where this is missing is in the centers of theNation of Islam and the reasons for such a state is self-evident. ButMuslims seem to keep this to themselves. And it is here that they can play arole by introducing the third dimension in America's race relations byopening up their communities to America.
By becoming more visible and more prominent in America, American Muslims canshow that yes, indeed, communities and individuals once suffering fromracial prejudice can overcome them. As Nietzsche says, it is the overcomingof the self, rather than struggling to overcome the other, which is thegreatest virtue of all. They should invite non-Muslim Black and Whiteneighbors to their community functions and open their Mosques and centersfor visitation. Muslims should include the subject of race relations intheir discourse, on community television programs, and in their magazinesand journals. Some Muslims themselves feel that they are victims ofdiscrimination and stereotyping. But by parti,cipating in America'sprominent struggles, they cannot only make themselves more at home, but alsobe accepted through a more positive contribution to its society. It is onlyby embracing America's problems will they be more acceptable to America. Andin my opinion the best way to do that is through offering a third point ofview in American race relations through demonstration as well asparticipation. Every ordinary Muslim today becomes an ambassador of Islam,either by choice or in defense. We are always explaining how jihad is not aholy war, and how every one of us is not a cousin of Saddam Hussein and howlike ordinary humans, we Muslims too have a heart and a soul. To this burdenof being a Muslim, I would like to add the onerous duty of carrying amessage, not just in words but in deeds, of racial harmony. We havebenefited from the tolerance and plenitude of this society, it is onlyfitting that we should pay our dues.
Tocqueville in his Democracy in America made some interesting observationswhich are germane to the discussion here. He remarked that while in theSouth, laws were employed to maintain a distance between the Black and Whiteraces. In the North, informal customs had emerged which performed the sametask. Whether through institutionalized or informal practices, the two raceshave maintained a distance between them. The lesson one learns fromTocqueville is that it is not laws that change people. We need somethingmore than legislation to bring about racial harmony in America. PerhapsTocqueville himself has an answer. He argued that perhaps the reason whyDemocracy has prevailed at all levels in America is due to the hands-onexperience that Americans had with democratic practices. He suggested thatthrough local institutions, Americans were practicing democracy even beforethey became a nation. It is this hands-on experience of racial harmony thatis absent in America. It is this lacuna in the American experience thatIslam and American Muslims can fill. American Muslims can bring theirexperience with racial harmony, an experience that was not precipitated bylaws or by custom but by a recognition and internalization of the sense ofequality between races in the eyes of God. If the American Muslims can bringthis experience with racial harmony to America, it will be easily theirgreatest contribution to America and American democracy
Lampholder Publications