Matters of Race ….
Umar Lee has a recent post and links to other blogs on some important issues regarding racial issues in the Muslim community. Check it out here.
Despite what some Muslims may tell you, or to those who say I try and insert American notions of race in the Muslim World where they do not belong, race is very real in the Muslim World and particularly in the Arab World where black skin is seen as a sign of inferiority and this is something that predates colonialism.
Assalamu `alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
Racism exists all over the world. The Muslim World is not excluded from racism. As a matter of fact the Prophet – sallAllahu `alaihi wa sallam – said that this would be something that would stay in the ummah till yawm al-qiyamah. Racism against Black people reached a high point due to the African Slave Trade. That is right. Blacks were being exported from Africa into Arab countries in huge number. Just like in the US. That does not mean that slaves were exclusivelly Black, but most slaves were Black. The Arab developed a negative attitude towards Blacks. European and American imperialism has only helped to solidify the negative view of Blacks through such mediums as Hollywood. Foreign Muslim come to the US already with these racists attitudes. May Allah remove racism form the hearts of the Muslims, Amin.
Khalil
Khalil Al-Puerto Rikani
November 25, 2007 at 4:31 pm
hmm intresting I will check it out , yes sadly in the arab world is very racist , by the way I am not just saying this I am an iraqi and grew up with a lot fo racist thoughts due to the environment I was in , I think its evil and i pray its stops . This is obsession with colour needs to stop its shallow and pathetic .
amal
November 27, 2007 at 2:31 pm