When many non-Muslims meet an African American that is Muslim, many of them assume that they are members of the Nation of Islam (which by the way are not Muslims). Many of the Muslims who come here from other countries don't understand the Nation of Islam and dismiss them as kafirs. With the notable exceptions of Malcom X and Muhammad Ali (both of whom did eventually accept the deen; although the focus us given to their period of ignorance). Personally, I could never reconcile the obvious contradictions between what NOI believes and the truth of Al-Islam. The failure to reconcile the differences does not mean that I can not appreciate the numerous achievements of the members. The same achievements that seem to have thus far eluded the larger Sunni Muslim community.
One of the reason that the early generations were able to advance with innovations (along with the will of Allah (SWT)) is that they studied other societies and adopted what worked (as long as it was halal). The NOI, opened hospitals, farms, stores, and educational institutions which they supported and operated themselves. This is one of the thing that are absent from the Sunni community. We need people to serve the community(and not be leaders of their personal fiefdom). Our masjids need to have a plan for the future that is listed out in 100, 75, 50, 25, 10, 5, and 1 year increments. Our communities need visions for the future. If we don't we will continue to have no infrastructure like universities or hospitals although we have thousands of professors, doctors, and engineers. For a community that is highly educated, we are equally as unorganized.
Now is the time for each one of us to take initiative and begin building a lasting infrastructure in our communities.
One of the reason that the early generations were able to advance with innovations (along with the will of Allah (SWT)) is that they studied other societies and adopted what worked (as long as it was halal). The NOI, opened hospitals, farms, stores, and educational institutions which they supported and operated themselves. This is one of the thing that are absent from the Sunni community. We need people to serve the community(and not be leaders of their personal fiefdom). Our masjids need to have a plan for the future that is listed out in 100, 75, 50, 25, 10, 5, and 1 year increments. Our communities need visions for the future. If we don't we will continue to have no infrastructure like universities or hospitals although we have thousands of professors, doctors, and engineers. For a community that is highly educated, we are equally as unorganized.
Now is the time for each one of us to take initiative and begin building a lasting infrastructure in our communities.
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