Bridging the Divide Between Immigrant and African American Muslims by Utilizing the Concept of Tawheed as the Catalyst

The Islamic community boasts of being one united community. Its cornerstone belief is Tawheed (Oneness of G-d). Its fundamental principle is the Unity of G-d, and this speaks to the unity of humanity. Yet when you look at the Islamic community over its almost fifteen century history; racism, prejudice, bias, and discrimination have continued to prevail. I argue that the Islamic community has suffered fragmentation, as a result of this artificial divide. Therefore, the one united community has been more of an ideal than reality. I contend that really understanding the concept of Tawheed is the true answer--the bridge--as it were--to overcoming this artificial divide, the divide that separates the immigrant Muslim from the African American Muslim.

Imam Dr. Salahuddin Mustafa Muhammad (a student of Islam since 1964) has been a Muslim Chaplain for the NYS Department of Corrections since 1985, and has been the senior Imam of the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural Masjid Al Ikhlas in the city of Newburgh, N.Y. since 1986. Imam Muhammad is also the first Muslim Chaplain hired by a college (Bard) in America in 1996. In following his leader (the late Imam Warith Deen Mohammed) he believes in inter-faith dialogue and cooperation. He is a bridge builder who is constantly breaking down barriers that exist between Jews, Christians and Muslims. He believes we all should be able to live together in peace. Imam Muhammad is a proud husband of his dedicated and supportive wife Fonda, father of four beautiful sons, and one lovely daughter, and has seven lovely grandchildren.