Let’s reflect on Islam’s anti-Racist message: In his newest book 'How to Be an Anti-Racist' Ibram X. Kendi made a compelling case for why it’s not enough to be 'not racist', and that unless we are *anti-racist* we are in fact aiding and abetting a racist default. I thought about the Quran and the Prophet (s) within this framework. The book outlines the beliefs that underpin racist ideas historically and today, many related to interpretations of Biblical stories and theology. These include things like the belief that the 'cursed son of Noah was Black' and that whites and Blacks don’t have a common, singular human origin. The Quran is not just 'not racist' as in it does *not* c

I'm seeing my fellow non-Black friends make comments like, 'Why do I need to speak up when this doesn't have to do with me?' Let me tell you how this has everything to do with us. Who was forced to build the country *we* profit from living in physically on their backs? Who are the recipients of the wealth slave owners amassed by violently forced physical labor? If not you, how has your community been enriched by that level of generational wealth? Affluent neighborhoods are often populated by white families because of historic housing discrimination. The property taxes fund their children’s public school enrichment activities and green lawns. Meanwhile, in the inner city which is largel

So there’s been a lot of discussion about the rebelling and the looting of stores. It reminds me of a verse in the Quran that is incredibly powerful. ⁣ ⁣ Backstory: The Prophet (S) had sent some companions on a raid two months before the battle of Badr, they ended up killing a person on the first night of Ragab, a sacred month. The sacred months were inviolable, and the mushrikeen were shocked, offended, outraged that its sanctity be breached by the Muslims. Of course they were using the incident to lay full blame on those who they themselves had wronged (sound familiar?)⁣ ⁣ Allah says, ⁣ ⁣ 'They ask you about the sacred month - about fighting therein. Say, 'Fighting in it is great [si

The last time I reflected on this ayah was nearly 6 years ago when I read some of the reactions to

's murder by a New York Police officer. Some argued that it was Eric's fault for breaking state law by selling loose cigarets, others criticized the protests that ensued. I find myself returning to this Ayah once again...sadly after the death of

just a few days ago. Here, Allah swt, reminds us to be upright, even in moments when we have hatred in our hearts towards someone or a group of people...'BE JUST!' is a direct command, no ambiguity about it. If this is a command from Allah with regards to people WE HATE, how then, should we be with people that we love...o