An American Muslim Immigrant Assesses the Million-Man March

In my humble opinion, efforts must be made to reach a closer understanding with the Nation of Islam for the purpose of working on a common Muslim political agenda--domestic and international. Through the Million Man March, the Nation of Islam has created a better impression of Muslims in the hearts of millions of Americans--both White and Black. Thus, they have opened doors of dawa (enlightenment about Islam) for all Muslims to reach out to those who have become more receptive to Islam than ever before. The Nation of Islam can be a great source of strength to all Muslims in the United States, and therefore to all Muslims around the world. In spite of their own relatively small numbers, and despite an organized assault on them by the media and many opponents within the Black, Christian, and Jewish communities, they had the courage to recite the name of Allah openly in front of non-Muslims. They did it with pride and others accepted it. The activities were started with the azan (call to prayer) and ended with a recitation of the opening sura of the Qur'an by Louis Farrakhan himself. All Muslim and most non-Muslim speakers started with "as-salamu aleikum" (peace be upon you). Likewise, the Nation of Islam volunteers who were posted everywhere around the Mall greeted all with the same greeting. When I got out of the Metro station, one of the guards said "as-salamu aleikum" to me. When I replied with "wa aleikum assalam," (and peace be upon you, too) there was a traditional hug in Arab Muslim style. There were many such exchanges of greetings and hugs during the day as I stopped and talked to the guards.