As Sulayman Nyang connected the dots during a brief history lesson on black Muslims in America, he talked about influential people ranging from political activist Malcolm X to champion heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali.
Mr. Nyang, a professor of African studies at Howard University in Washington, was one of several speakers during a conference, "The Muslim American Legacy: Embracing the Past. Building the Future." The talk was presented by the Muslim American Society's Toledo chapter and the Muslim American Society at the University of Toledo. The Muslim American Society is a charitable, religious, social, cul-tural, and educational nonprofit organization.
Held at the university's Rocket Hall, the conference focused on the presidential election and Muslim American family values.
Mr. Nyang was featured during a session on the impact of black Muslims on Islam in America and the lessons that can be gained from their experiences.
Mr. Nyang said he tells youth today that Muslims owe a great debt to Mr. Ali because the boxer insisted on people referring to him by his Muslim name, instead of his given name, Cassius Clay. "He made many Muslims and Arabs self-conscious about their Arab names," he said.
When you consider the roots of black Muslims in America, you need to consider that the roots are branching out, Mr. Nyang said, through the introduction of Islamic concepts and Arabic terminologies into the English language, culture, and cuisine, similar to the Jewish influence in American culture and in the English language.
Such blending occurs, he said, when groups come together and are friendly with one another.
Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Michigan who has been active in the Detroit area for many years, said the history lesson about how Islam spread among blacks is tied to the "slavery psyche."
Dehumanization and discrimination had a negative impact on the black psyche, he said. Some blacks joined the Muslim movement as a protest of white supremacy in America, Mr. Walid said, and some joined in an effort to carve new identities for themselves.
Conference organizers noted that the Muslim presence in the United States is long-standing and is wrought with examples of positive social change. Speakers discussed the need for an organized movement aimed at building partnerships, promoting harmony, and facing challenges together to make America a better place.
Esam Omeish, president of the Muslim American Society National, said the society has nearly 60 chapters across the country, and members are encouraged to become a "unifying, dynamic force in their community."
Members, he said, are leading "the way to break barriers and become full, exemplary citizens of this nation," adding that "Good Muslims are good Americans."
Hassan HassabElnaby, an assistant professor at UT, said local Muslim American Society members have presented numerous workshops on topics ranging from leadership to finances, but the event yesterday before an audience of 220 people was the first full-day conference presented by local members of the society.
The conference was scheduled to coincide with Black History Month because Muslims care about issues that affect America.
A primary focus for the organization, he said, is youth in America.
Sameera Ahmed, who was born and raised in the Toledo area, agreed.
Ms. Ahmed, a featured speaker during the conference, is a psychologist in Canton, Mich. Her primary message was that "young people can be Muslim and be American. We're here saying, 'You can be part of America.' We are Americans, and young people need to realize this."
She encouraged the youth to focus on what they share in common with other American youth.
"We're about coalition building," she said. "We are here to plant the seeds for the next generation."
Contact Janet Romaker at: jromaker@theblade.com or 419-724-6006.
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