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Michigan Daily - February 20, 2004 Speaker addresses issues of black religious identity By Michael Kan Blacks across America face a burden on their soul, said Muslim leader Warith Deen Mohammed. They deal with the consequences of being taken away from their homeland of Africa several centuries ago and while living in a place where people are often identified by their skin color, he added. Speaking last night at the Michigan Union to more than 100 Ann Arbor residents and students, Mohammed said this identity of skin color has to end. He called on members of the Muslim community to reclaim their identity, not only as Muslims or as blacks, but also to think themselves as human beings above all else. Only through this identity can people work together, he added. The lecture, titled “Correcting Islam’s Image: Where is the balance Between the life of Faith and addressing material needs,” featured keynote speaker Mohammed, who is the son of Elijah Muhammed, leader of the Nation of Islam from the 1950s to 1975, and formerly led the American Muslim Mission. At the event, Mohammed attempted to clarify the message of Islam by explaining the Muslim community should not only identify themselves by their faith or by their race, but more importantly recognize that all people regardless of ethnicity or creed are equal to one another. http://www.michigandaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/4035bc427e646 |