African-American Muslims facts for kids

African-American Muslims, sometimes called Black Muslims, are a group of African American people who follow the religion of Islam. About 1% of all African Americans are Muslims. However, they make up more than 20% of all Muslims in the United States. This makes them one of the largest Muslim groups in the country. They belong to different branches of Islam, like Sunni and Shia, and also smaller groups such as the Nation of Islam. The story of African-American Muslims is a big part of African-American history, going back to the time of the American Revolution.

A Look at Their History

Many years ago, about 30% of the people brought to the Americas as slaves from West and Central Africa were Muslims. These individuals were often able to read and write. Because of this, they were sometimes given important jobs by their owners. During the time of slavery, most of these people were forced to become Christians. However, some, like Omar ibn Said, managed to remain Muslim throughout their lives in the United States.

In the 1900s, more African Americans started to become Muslim. This often happened through groups that focused on black identity and had unique Islamic practices. Two important groups were the Moorish Science Temple of America, started in 1913, and the Nation of Islam, which began in the 1930s. By 1963, the Nation of Islam had at least 20,000 members. Famous people like activist Malcolm X and boxer Muhammad Ali were part of these groups. Other Muslim groups, like Ahmadiyya, also welcomed African Americans in the 1920s and 1930s.

Malcolm X is seen as a key figure who helped many African Americans move towards mainstream Islam. After leaving the Nation of Islam, he traveled to Mecca, which is a holy city for Muslims. In 1975, Warith Deen Mohammed, the son of Elijah Muhammad, became the leader of the Nation of Islam. He guided most of its members to follow traditional Islam. However, some members, especially Louis Farrakhan, did not agree with these changes. Louis Farrakhan later restarted the Nation of Islam in 1978, following its original ideas.

Where Do They Live?

African-American Muslims make up about 20% of all Muslims in the United States. Most of them are Sunni Muslims. Many of these Sunni Muslims are part of the community led by W. Deen Mohammed.

Cities with many African-American Muslims include Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Newark, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Atlanta. The Nation of Islam, led by Louis Farrakhan, has between 20,000 and 50,000 members.

Different Groups of Muslims

In the early 1900s, some African Americans created groups based on Islamic ideas. These groups often blended Islamic teachings with other beliefs.

Moorish Science Temple of America

Noble Drew Ali founded the Moorish Science Temple of America.

The Moorish Science Temple of America was started in 1913 by Noble Drew Ali, whose birth name was Timothy Drew. He taught that black people were originally from a group called the Moors. He believed their Muslim identity was lost during slavery. This group encourages a return to their Moorish and Muslim roots. It mixes ideas from Islam with parts of Buddhism, Christianity, and other beliefs.

Sunni Islam

Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam worldwide. The word "Sunni" comes from "sunnah," which means "usual practice" or "tradition." This refers to the sayings and ways of life of the Prophet Muhammad. Sunni Muslims follow the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad.

The conversion of Malcolm X in 1964 was a big moment for the growth of Sunni Islam among Black American Muslims. After he left the Nation of Islam, he learned about Sunni Islam and became a follower. Others from the Nation of Islam soon followed him.

When Warith Deen Mohammed became the leader of the Nation of Islam in 1975, he started to guide many Black Muslims towards Sunni Islam. He taught that the founder of the Nation of Islam was not divine and that his father was not a prophet. He changed over 400 temples into traditional Islamic mosques. He also introduced the Five Pillars of Islam to his followers. These are important practices like praying five times a day and fasting during Ramadan. He welcomed white people as fellow worshipers. He also encouraged African Americans to change their last names, which were often given by slave owners. This led to the largest group conversion to Islam in the United States.

Today, many Black Muslims who follow the Sunni tradition can be recognized by the hijabs worn by women and the kufi caps and long beards worn by men. These beards are grown to follow the tradition of Prophet Muhammad.

Nation of Islam

Louis Farrakhan has led the Nation of Islam since 1981.

The Nation of Islam (NOI) was created in 1930 by Wallace Fard Muhammad. Fard's ideas for the NOI were inspired by the Moorish Science Temple of America. He taught three main ideas: that Allah is God, that white people are evil, and that black people are the original people of the Earth.

In 1934, Elijah Muhammad became the leader of the NOI. He taught that Fard was a form of God and that he himself was a prophet taught by God. Two very famous people who joined the NOI were Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali. Both Malcolm X and Ali later became Sunni Muslims.

Malcolm X was a very important leader in the NOI. He believed that black people should be completely separate from white people. He left the NOI and later became a Sunni Muslim after his pilgrimage to Mecca. He is seen as the first person to encourage African Americans to move towards Sunni Islam.

After Elijah Muhammad died in 1975, his son, Warith Deen Mohammed, became the leader. He led the group towards Sunni Islam and changed its name. However, Louis Farrakhan disagreed with these changes. He left and restarted the Nation of Islam in 1981, following Elijah Muhammad's original teachings. The Nation of Islam still has a strong presence in the African American community. They focus on education, economic independence, and personal responsibility.

The Nation of Islam has received criticism for some of its teachings.

Five-Percent Nation

The Five-Percent Nation was started in 1964 in Harlem, New York City. It was founded by Clarence 13X, who used to be a member of the Nation of Islam. Clarence 13X disagreed with the Nation of Islam's teachings about God. He taught that the black man himself was God.

Members of this group call themselves Allah's Five Percenters. They believe that 10% of people know the truth about life but keep 85% of the world in the dark. The remaining 5% are those who know the truth and want to teach others.

Ahmadiyya

Mahershala Ali is an Ahmadi Muslim.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worked to attract many different groups of people at first. But they soon saw the racial problems in the US. So, Ahmadi missionaries started to focus on African Americans and Muslim immigrants. Ahmadis often spoke out in favor of the Civil Rights Movement. In recent times, some Ahmadi Muslims have come to the United States as refugees from countries where they faced difficulties.

Islam in Prisons

Many African Americans in prison become Muslim. Studies show that Muslim inmates make up a significant part of the prison population. Most of these inmates were not Muslim before they came to prison. About 80% of prisoners who find faith while in prison convert to Islam. These new converts are mostly African American.

Notable African-American Muslims

Here are some well-known African-American Muslims:

Before the 1900s

• Abdul Rahman Ibrahima Sori: A prince from modern-day Guinea who was enslaved in the United States. He was freed after 40 years and returned to Africa.

Politicians

• Ako Abdul-Samad: Member of the Iowa House of Representatives.
• André Carson: U.S. Representative for Indiana's 7th congressional district.
• Keith Ellison: Attorney General of Minnesota and former U.S. Representative.
• Ilhan Omar: U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district.

Athletes

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Famous former basketball player.
• Hakeem Olajuwon: Famous former basketball player.
• Muhammad Ali: Legendary former professional boxer.
• Mike Tyson: Former professional boxer.
• Ibtihaj Muhammad: Olympian Professional Fencer.
• Kyrie Irving: Professional basketball player.

Entertainment

• SZA: Singer and songwriter.
• Ice Cube: Rapper and actor.
• Iman: Fashion model and actress.
• Dave Chappelle: Comedian.
• Mahershala Ali: Actor.
• Akon: Singer.

Religion

• Siraj Wahhaj
• Warith Deen Muhammad
• Khalid Abdul Muhammad

See Also

• Hispanic and Latino American Muslims
• Islam in the United States
• Muslim Romani people
• Islam and hip hop in the United States

General:

• Religion in Black America