Asa,
I pray all is well with you and your families. In the wake of current events here is my personal appeal to our community.
Allah(S) has informed us that He does not look at our ethnicity, race, color, social economic status, what country we come from or flag we cherish, only our deeds. Our Beloved Prophet(S) said in his final sermon: “All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab have superiority over an Arab. White has no superiority over a black and a black has no superiority over a white. The exception in All cases except by piety and good deeds.”
As Muslims we are encouraged to value those things in life that will benefit us in the hereafter, those deeds of everlasting value and are pleasing to Allah and are legislated by our Prophet(S).
In light of our current political, social and spiritual conditions as Muslims we must hold ourselves accountable before we are held into account.
As an Ummah we fall short of following the example of our Prophet(S). Many people of color (especially this Ummah) continue to suffocate from the “knee” of white supremacy on our necks.
As a people we have much in common when it comes to the stinking carcass of racism. When it comes to the Muslim African American returning back to Islam experience we suffer the danger of a two edged sword. It’s not just the external white supremacy that we have come to expect but it’s the unexpected racial intolerance from our “new” family within the Muslim community.
At this point in our history as more people of color find their way to Islam in search of hope, clarity and a new found relationship with their creator only to find ourselves facing something much worse.
Here in Milwaukee our community has grown in social, educational and economic prosperity, for some. The Milwaukee Islamic Dawah Center has and remains as a beacon of light and hope for many families Muslim and non-Muslims. Yet, for the past 25 years there had been very little substantive growth at the Dawah Center in relation to the greater community. Most of the wealth that is generated in the City of Milwaukee is accumulated, removed, spent and invested outside of the community where the wealth is being extracted.
We must collaborate in substantive efforts for reform within our Ummah. We have an opportunity to show the rest of the state and the world how Muslims address the internal issues of social, economic and racial disparities.
Our beloved Prophet said:
“Learn that every Muslim is a brother/sister to every Muslim and that Muslim constitutes one brotherhood.”
If you want to support organizations that help Milwaukee's African American faith communities during this difficult time, here are some ideas:
Your brother,
Will Perry
President, Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance
Executive Director, Milwaukee Islamic Dawah Center