Khalifah Consciousness

Posted on May 2, 2008 by Dawan
Filed Under Current Events, News, Presentation, Religion, Reviews, politics |

As issues arise in Muslim communities, we are reminded of our duty to do what Allah (swt) has prescribed in Qur’an and accept the responsibility of Khalifah which Allah has bestowed upon us. Under the banner of Khalifah Consciousness we become more aware and are able to overcome the affects of deep psychological conditions that prevents us from acknowledging issues within and around our communities that need to be addressed. The following blog is an example:

Qur’an Conference promotes Unity of Humanity

Under the leadership of Imam Abu Qadir El Amin, the Muslim Community Center of San Francisco, California, is to be commended for producing one of the most enlightening conferences for people seeking to be more consciousness of religious Prophecy, the current times in which we are living and leadership for future generations. Held April 19^th and 20^th at the Masonic Auditorium and attended by predominantly Muslim African Americans, San Francisco Muslim Community Center’s Qur’an Conference is an annual event dedicated to spiritual awareness and guidance through the understanding of religious scriptures. Although the scholarly presenters referred to revelations from various collections of Scripture, the message overall focused on Creation Science and the completion of human evolution according to Scripture. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of understanding that the Qur’an and original Arabic language is a Blessing from God and our most reliable source of authentic scriptural information, referring to, correcting and upgrading the valid scriptures that were produced from earlier Revelations. Many viewed the event as an educational celebration for those who believe in and worship One God! Most of the religious faiths or paths were mentioned and acknowledged in past, present and future context as part of The One God’s Creation and Plan for the evolution of human beings. The chronological history and specific role of Muslim African Americans was referred to as a sign in scripture pointing to the establishment of Islamic leadership in the west and paving the way for Immigrant Muslims to build communities in America. Throughout the event, human evolution, brotherhood of humanity and righteous leadership was explained and supported with scriptural content. All speakers were unified and in line with the principle tenants of the Islamic way of life.

The first day featured presentations by young and upcoming Islamic leaders such as Imam Zakee Madyun from Jamatul Salaam of Oakland. Imam Sulaiman Hamed, a young Islamic scholar born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Imam Sulaiman received local training from Sheikh Nasir Abdur Ra’oof and Imam Faheem Shuaibe, before attending Abu Noor University in Syria. His father Naazim Hamed and mother Saliha Hamed (Peace Be upon Her) were leaders in Muslim communities throughout the Bay area for over 40 years. Sister Shahidah Sharif, also a student of Abu Noor University gave a dynamic presentation on sincerity in religion and the contributions of women in Al-Islam. Next up was Imam Usama Cannon an instructor at the prestigious Zaytuna Institute, who introduced some valuable tips to understanding Arabic grammar. The highlight of the day was the historical overview of Islam in America delivered by Sister Gloria Karim and her husband Imam Darnell Karim, the renowned Arabic Scholar. These two Muslim pioneers from the Chicago area were childhood classmates of Imam W. D. Mohammed, who now leads the largest community of Muslims in America. Sister Gloria’s parents were early followers of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad and her grandparents were early followers of Fard Muhammad, who led a group of about 25,000 Muslims in America during the 1930’s. Imam Darnell Karim closed the program with some etymology of Arabic language in Qur’an, reiterating definitions and deeper meanings from Imam Mohammed’s teachings and pointing out Qur’an references and relevance to the times we are living in now.

The second day was reserved primarily for the highlight of the whole conference, Imam W. D. Mohammed! However, prior to him speaking, we heard briefly from Dr. Hatim Bazian Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at UC Berkeley; Abdullah bin Hamed Ali another resident Islamic scholar with Zaytuna Institute; Imam Haazim Rashed of Sacramento; Imam Sulaiman Hamed; Imam Darnell Karim and Imam Abu Qadir El Amin, who also led the escort of Imam Mohammed to the stage. Their spectacular entrance was accompanied by the wonderful sounds of an African percussion ensemble featuring Muhammad Ali, Naim Shabazz and Rashid Ali. The group’s performance contributed to an already heightened spiritual atmosphere brought on by the mere presence of Imam Mohammed. As the excitement settled down and Imam Mohammed began speaking, he reflected on some history; the mission of his father, The Honorable Elijah Muhammad; how black theology and the attempt to prefix everything with the word black has had and continues to have a counter-productive impact on African Americans today; and he cautioned us about trying to hold on to American values or ideals that are dead.

Not known for his participation in or commentary on politics, Imam Mohammed acknowledged his American heritage, the Constitution, some of America’s great leaders and to the amazement of many in the audience, he even voiced his love and respect for the values and leadership of Ronald Reagan, but after explaining why, quickly said “those days are over.” He referred to G. W. Bush as the end product of a long decline in American leadership. “We are living in the conclusion of the great issues for man in Scripture; it’s very hard to find a leader who can inspire the American people today. Many are saying President George Bush is a disappointment and it seems as though he doesn’t care.” Imam Mohammed also pointed out that moral degradation, wanton and willful disregard for human and civil rights, increase in crime and prisons, blatant resurgence of discriminatory practices and rampant destruction are clear signs that “the America we once knew is no more.” “We have reached the end of an era.” He said, “It is a new day” and alluded to the idea that Barack Obama could be the best hope for restoring decency and dignity in America. Imam Mohammed, following his theme “The Religion of Originality (Fitrah) & Muslim Identity,” connected government, politics, education, science, business, commerce and cultural issues confronting America today to religious Scripture. Periodically interchanging the name Allah with the word God he referred to Torah, Bible and Qur’an, balancing the signs of despair with signs of hope. He encouraged all people to trust in Allah (God), His Prophecy and conduct their lives according to what is prescribed in Scripture. While acknowledging the validity of earlier Scriptures, he emphasized that the most complete and authentic source of Revelations from God is The Holy Qur’an.

After a very competent article covering the second day of this magnificent event written by Matthai Kuruvila appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, a few Muslims in attendance and some who did not attend circulated electronic media expressing their concerns about a divided Muslim image due to the lack of Immigrant Muslim support. But, this is nothing new, because we know that even before 911, Immigrant Muslims were more concerned with being accepted by American society than Muslims with a deep history in the American experience. The desire to assimilate into western culture over the desire to establish Islamic tradition has caused division amongst Muslims globally and can certainly cause division in America. We should remind ourselves that there is a difference between Immigrant Muslims and Muslim Immigrants and a difference between African American Muslims and Muslim African Americans. The difference is in how Muslims perceive themselves! A reasonable percentage of Immigrant, American and African American Muslims have adopted American lifestyles that are predominantly influenced by Christianity and are promoting what they consider to be a more democratic brand of Islam. Once the Americanization process is in motion, it conjures up old habits and practices (including the undesirable ones) and lodges them into the subconscious mind. As a result of desparately trying to fit in with popular American trends, many of these so-called democratic Muslims buy into the media’s promotion of negative images and stereotypical propaganda, especially when it comes to African Americans. The arrogance and petty bourgeois attitudes inherited along with these trends, leads to the discriminatory belief that Muslim African Americans are inferior when it comes to Islamic scholarship, so the bourgeois Muslims choose to distinguish and distance themselves. Some are even embarrassed when they receive invitations to participate in events produced by Muslim African Americans. Yet, what we learned from the Islamic Scholars speaking at the event is, Qur’an Conferences are for all Muslims and all Muslims can benefit from understanding the specific role of Muslim African Americans in Islamic history, which for those who understand is revealed throughout Al-Qur’an in past, present and future context! In addition, we all know that The Qur’an’s reference to the unity of humanity or brotherhood of man closed the door on racial discrimination in Al-Islam. Qur’an Conferences such as the one produced by the San Francisco Muslim Community Center provides opportunities for all Muslims and righteous people of Scripture to share in a victory over The Shaitaan El Kabir (Big Devil) and his shaiteen (little devils) by coming together to gain a deeper understanding of religious Scriptures.

Dawan Muhammad AbduMuqaddim

Cross-Cultural Media Consultant, AMICC

Co-Chair SBIA Media Committee