Islam in the United States - Essay Example

PHILADELPHIA’S NATION OF ISLAM Introduction In a study conducted in it was identified the Islamic nation is the second World’s largest religious group with a population of 1.57 billion followers; this is approximately 24% of the world’s religious followers. It has dominated certain region like Northern Africa, Middle East as well as the Horn of Africa.1 Additionally, some of its followers have been identified in Asia, Russian and some parts of India. On the other hand, developed nations like the United States have a significant number of Muslims, majorly the African-Americans; a large number of Islam followers have been identified in some of the largest United States Prisons. The emergence of Islam in the United States can be traced back from as early as 1830’s with a West-African Prince known as Rahman, who had spend forty years as a slave, but freed by order of President Quincy Adams.2 This discussion will focus on the Nation of Islam in Philadelphia, basically explicating how this group has impacted social structures in Philadelphia, how they have changed overtime, memories attributed to this group as well as whether this group has been covered in the media. Impacts of the Nation of Islam in Philadelphia The emergence of Islam in Philadelphia can be traced back over the last three centuries. Historical evidence indicates that the first Muslim travelers to land in Philadelphia were from North Africa as well as from Turkey in the early and the late 1800’s. In the late 19th century, Muslim immigrants managed to convert a significant number of African-Americans into Muslims, an act that has had impacts up to date. Currently, there are approximately 30,000 Muslims in Philadelphia; this number is subject to change owing to the fact that many Africa-Americans are currently being converted to Islam. 3 Additionally, the Nation of Islam has developed and expanded to an extent that the group has managed to undertake various Pilot Projects such as; creating videos that narrate the historical development of the Muslim Community in Philadelphia i.e. through the scribe video. Through the Muslim Voices of Philadelphia, it is possible for one to understand the impact of the Nation of Islam, owing to the fact that this group has attracted various Muslim communities from various parts of the World such as: Ahmadiyya, Sunnis, Shia among others. The Nation of Islam in Philadelphia has been associated with development of schools, real estate holdings and other forms of Businesses in the early and the late 1930’s. Currently, the group has developed and is still managing businesses as well as real estate holdings, however, it is currently referred as the American Society of Muslims. This group has currently expanded and attracted a huge following among prisons, with majority of followers being African-American Inmates. How the Nation of Islam in Philadelphia is Remembered There are certain issues that occurred within the Nation of Islam in the early and the late 1900’s that are remembered by a large number of people. To begin with, the association of one of the greatest Human Rights Activist Malcolm X with this group is an issue that cannot be forgotten. Malcolm joined the group and converted to Islam in the early 1960’s only to be assassinated in 1965. There are various allegations regarding the death of Malcolm X, being one the prominent African leaders at that time. A certain quarter of the American populace alleged that the frictions that existed in his relationship and the then Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad, could have been the cause of his death. This group is also remembered for alleged internal conflicts between the leaders regarding seperationism as well as infidelity; that is, certain quarters of the Nation of Islam leaders rejected who they perceived as infidelity as being propagated by one its leaders, Elijah Muhammad. The group is also remembered as one of the religions that have attracted a large following in Prisons, creating a paradigm shift from the normal physical violence associated with prisons to a scenario of peace, especially by inmate followers. Additionally, the Philadelphia’s Nation of Islam has also been remembered and recognized as being the first religious group that acted as a movement and propagated ideas of Black Nationalism. This group acted a rights movement, by making attempts to fight for equality between African-Americans and the Whites. How the Nation of Islam has been Covered by Philadelphia Media In an article published in the www.princeton.edu, the Nation of Islam has been identified as an African-American religious movement. The article basically described how the Nation of Islam in Philadelphia came into existence, highlighting and describing its leadership structures and the population of its members since its inception to the current period. Additionally, as a informative article regarding Philadelphia’s religious dimension, the article describes various changes that have been exhibited by the Nation of Islam overtime and how it has been shaped over the last three decades. The Nation of Islam has a website; this website focuses on disseminating information concerning activities undertaken by this famous religious group in the United States as well as in other parts of the World. Additionally, this website disseminates information regarding the activities of these groups as well as its future development plan, not only to the populace in Philadelphia, but also in other parts of the World. Issues regarding the Nation of Islam are also covered by its live Webcasts that are aired to the general public through its official website. 4 Radio Islam is one of the media channels that covers issues related with the Nation of Islam in Philadelphia; this radio station usually hold Muslim related discussions, not only those that affects the Nation of Islam in Philadelphia, but also those that affects other Muslims in other parts of the United States and the rest of the world. 5 Bibliography Accessed November 29, 2014. http://www.radioislam.com/. Top of Form Bottom of Form History of the Nation of Islam. Atlanta, GA: Secretarius Memps Publications, 2013. Top of Form Bottom of Form Steunebrink, Gerrit. "Sovereignty, the Nation State, and Islam." Ethical Perspectives, 2012, 7-47. Top of Form Bottom of Form "Video & Webcast | NOI.org – The Nation of Islam Official Website |." NOIorg The Nation of Islam Official Website. Accessed November 29, 2014. http://www.noi.org/webcast/. Read More