I’m Muslim, an Imam at that, but I grew up with the smell of Country Ham frying on the Stove, on a cold Christmas morning. To many Muslims around the world this may be strange, and even to some African American Muslims who were born Muslim in America this is awkward to imagine. I like many Muslims in America however converted to Islam from Christianity or from everyday African American life.
I was raised among the Black church, a southern Baptist. I like most children of the seventies spent their breaks in the south. Rockingham, North Carolina was my Summer home. It was in the south that I recall seeing the images of Jesus the most. The stain Glass windows. The fans we waved to keep cool. They almost always had images of Jesus as a white man with brown hair and blue eyes. I remember seeing the picture of the same white Jesus, in the same gold frame, with that same little light over the picture, in every house I went, and even in the funeral homes. The Bible stories had pictures of all white people. As a boy I just didn’t feel right. I didn’t say anything because I loved Gospel music. Nothing had to make sense, if the music was good.
As an American Muslim I realize now how important that experience was. Most of the Muslim world abroad have never been exposed to a Bible, nor lived among Christians, nor have Christian family. Many don’t understand the verses from the Bible, so some can’t discuss verses or compare Biblical scripture with Qur’anic scripture. Most Christians don’t have a Qur’an and don’t want one. Therefore, we often fail to communicate with each other.
I struggle with my emotions when my Muslim Brothers Condemn all Christians too hell, and when my Christian Family does the same. I recognize the sincerity and commitment among both faiths.
As a converting Muslim in transition, we had to make choices. Sometimes this would lead to us being abandoned by family members and loved ones. How strange, even though we were the same person, because we said “we believe in the same God but worship him differently” our closest loved ones turned on us. Why, we’re the same person.
As a Muslim convert we transitioned into a new person but much of our identity stayed the same. We improved on the good and tried to erase the bad. For converts, Diet became an immediate challenge. Especially, those raised in the African American community. Many Muslims around the world had never been exposed to pork, some even to non-halal meats. Converts however grew up with bacon, ham, pepperoni, and pork in almost everything they ate. As Muslims, we had to almost become scientist, by reading labels. Before America became health conscious, in the 90s, almost everything was cooked in animal fat. The Muslim diet became a noticeable trait within the Muslim community. At times it became comical. My Son never had a marshmallow until he went to college. He was introduced to a halal one. I just found this out.
We continued to transition with our style of dress. We stopped going to bad places. We stopped using foul and bad language. We stopped smoking, drugs and alcohol. And some of us changed our names. For some Muslims the name change was a difficult time. This was the period, if you were not used to discrimination, you would experience the double whammy of hate. Most African Americans were prepared to have their applications rejected once an employer found out they were Black. This usually happened after the interview, thanks to human resource laws. Once you’re a Muslim however, and you change your name to Muhammad or Abdul your application would conveniently get lost by racist or Islamophobes. Your Application could easily go to the bottom of the pile. The Muslim Candidate could be the same person you grew up with, in the same environment, college, community as you, but you’ll never know because of their prejudice.
Most Muslim Converts we know are teachers, lawyers, professionals, businesspeople, social workers, etc. and students.
I worked in Juvenile Justice for 20 years, every kid and parent knew I was Muslim. No one cared if I was Muslim, they just cared about me saving their children from a life of crime or death.
As I reflect on my earlier thoughts, My transition through the Black church. I guess it was Islam that gave me a proper picture of Jesus and a respect for Christianity. My Mother used to tell me how my Grandfather Nollie used to hide us under the bed as the KKK used to burn crosses and fire bullets into our homes. This was the false picture of Christianity painted across America mixed with the white images I used to see. Black Nationalism helped me somewhat to figure out this stuff later in life. Islam however guided me to the proper sign in Jesus and to find the liberation teachings in all scriptures.
With all of this going on I am still reminded of that same young man born in the south, who loves God, loves all people, and find good in all scripture. I’m still holding on to all that is good and condemning all that is bad. I hope that makes me like a lot of other good people.
