Opinion: “Islam Remains a Key to Detroit’s History”

February 17, 2006

Source: The Detroit News

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060217/OPINION01/602170308/1007/OPINION

On February 17, 2006 The Detroit News ran an opinion piece by Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Michigan. "Rarely do we equate Black History Month with the Islamic movement in the United States. In fact, Islam and the history of African-Americans in Detroit have a stronger link than with most other regions... The Nation of Islam gained popularity in Detroit [in the 1930s] and later spread to Chicago, Milwaukee and Washington, D.C... Many African-American Muslims with roots in Michigan -- such as Imam W. Deen Mohammed, the first Muslim to make the invocation in the U.S. Senate, and Adam Shakoor, America's first Muslim judge and co-trustee of the Rosa L. Parks Trust -- are a testament to how Muslims have contributed to the fabric of society. African-Americans and Muslims, regardless of race, enjoy many freedoms not enjoyed 70 years ago; however, the goal of freedom, justice and equality has not been fulfilled... February is more than a time for reflection on African-American history. It is a moment for all of us to contemplate how far this nation has come in achieving 'liberty and justice for all.' Our nation's struggle for equal protection under the law should peak during this special month."