The issue of liquor stores in poor African-American neighborhoods such as those in Oakland, California has long been an issue of contention with urban activists. Seen by many as magnets for criminal behavior and contributing to alcohol abuse among the poor, liquor stores were one of the first targets in the 1992 Los Angeles riots. It gets even more complicated when you consider that 80% of Oakland's 360 liquor stores are owned by Yemeni Muslim immigrants.

Aside from the obvious implications of Muslims selling alcohol (and in turn contributing a large share of the donations for several Bay Area mosques), this fact brings a religious dimension to a community conflict where Muslims can be found on both sides of the struggle. While a few Muslim community members (mainly African-Americans) have raised the issue of Muslims contributing to the decline of inner-city neighborhoods through their domination of the liquor store business, the war of words has never escalated into violence. For that, it took an offshoot Muslim group (well, make that an offshoot of an offshoot) to finally take matters - and several crowbars - into their own hands last week at two stores. "The suspects entered the store and questioned why a Muslim-owned store would sell alcoholic beverages when it is against the Muslim religion," Oakland police said in a statement.

Then, in full view of video cameras, the store was vandalized until broken bottles of hard liquor littered the floor. A few days later, store clerk Abdel Hamdan was kidnapped and thrown in a trunk while others lit the store on fire. Spokespeople from the Nation of Islam joined the Yemeni American Grocers Association to condemn the attacks. "That is not our way," said Nation of Islam spokesperson Tony Mohammed. "Our job is to kill the appetite (for alcohol) in the black community." After denying any knowledge of the attacks, a spokesman for the splinter Black Muslim sect that runs a bakery (their slogan: "A Taste of the Hereafter") and other small businesses in North Oakland (and apparently thinks the Nation of Islam is too soft) turned himself in to authorities.

Yusuf Bey IV - whose father founded the sect and died last year amid charges of corruption and rape - turned himself in along with an accomplice to face charges of robbery, vandalism, and making terrorist threats. While this particular string of attacks may have been solved, the larger issue of alcohol in poor neighborhoods - and Muslim complicity in its proliferation - has yet to be addressed by the larger immigrant Muslim community in a more productive manner. Barring that, more violence may be on the way.

Cont'd

Now, what is the(AAs) real problem? Because simply leading a moral life according to Islam should result in a better and more peaceful life. Is the problem economic disadvantage then? If that is so, then there are bigger issues here. There are issues of education levels, ambition, high standards, hard work etc. That is a self issue.

"What do we care, we are the privileged elite from Afro-Asia, our kids go to predominantly white schools, we live in the 'nice suburbs', we got a shining new masjid. Now all of what we do, is somehow thought of as universal - even though its not and nobody claimed it is. But nevertheless it robs AA muslims of their message."

A self-focus and social inwardness is not good and is discouraged in Islam. However, Afro-Asians who come to the US with nothing, not even speaking the language and then are able to be successful. What is about these people and their character that enables them to do well for themselves when there are countless AAs who speak the language, are familiar with the culture and have the opportunities at their feet and yet don't take advantage of them. Shouldn't that be the question you should be asking? I am NOT sympathetic to people who squander their opportunities.

"That is why I am saying, that the AA voice, who may be the relative majority at slightly more than a quarter of the US muslim population should have the centre stage. Not at the cost of belittling other people, or diluting Islam, or comitment to universal justice in any way."

They certainly should. But nobody is gonna give you power freely - you have to make your presence felt, you have to get involved, you have to raise money and encourage participation so that your presence/contribution is felt and then power and position will be had.

I don't want to go on responding because I feel I might be do it for the wrong reasons. I will just put in that sometimes we feel the reality differently, depending on where we are. That's for what the position is today compared to 50's and 60's. I personally feel I'd rather err on the side of the opressed.

I will take the positive thing from GM and FC, and I think a moderating influnce is welcome regards to the political position. I wanted to mount a protest and show a certain feeling is also present and I feel I have done that. I think re-orienting yourself towards Allah's pleasure is very important and that is what I will take from FC and GM's message. My political position stands.

May we do what is best for akhirah, and may Allah put in love in our hearts for Himself, the Prophets, our brothers and sisters in Islam, and all the opressed people of the earth of whatever faith. May Allah unite us on the path that leads to salvation, love, and peace, and if we differ, may we do so within bounds.

Wassalam.

ps. Brother GM, I don't think we are differing too much. I am not advocating NOI theology - but they are friends and comrades in the good deeds, and different in the wrong ideas. Insha'allah gradually we will be fully united under pure tawhid, iman, and with love like brother Malcolm would have liked to see.

Friendly Combatant,

Are you really writing a book? I'd like to know. Although I may not be ready for that sort of publication, insha'Allah, I'm seeking to publish an opinion piece on the subject here, because I'm from Oakland and have directly seen these effects and how the Diasporans here are affronted by alcoholism and its accessibility.

Unfortunately .. our historical passion for despising darker skins and shorter beards takes a new social toll down the line .. and it seems the Black African people will bear the brunt.

Despite Islamic teachings; as muslims our focus is more on establishing statehood than muslim brotherhood.
-Muslim brotherhood is the foundation of a just muslim state and not vice versa-
.. let us repeat this softly to ourselves : )

Ghulam, well said - we need to correct ourselves first. That is really what the go home idea is all about - not so much going home, but finally permitting indigenous Muslims to find their own center without the overbearing influence of immigrant Muslims destroying the brotherhood I believe we could otherwise could have attained a long time ago.

Those who are respecting there brothers will always be welcome. But today's immigrants are not respecting their brothers. They are likened to someone entering a persons home and not observing the manners required of them in that house. It disrupts not only the family, but the community and any hope of an eventual state.

I believe it is time to set things right and educate indigenous Muslims on the importance of getting their own houses in order.

If a guest is respectful, most welcome. If they are disrupting your family - we have an obligation to show them the door. At the very least we need to inform our other family members to pay bo attention to their boisterous aberant ways. We need to keep harmony amongst those family members who are acting as a family - or in this case a brotherhood.

Nameless - "Oh to be nameless, a thing forgotten" Maryam, Mother of Isa (Jesus).

I'm feeling pushed to write a book otherwise I prefer to be like Maryam.

We must be careful not to blame others. Might sound strange coming from me - Ive been a bit of a hardliner here. But it was only a focus group exercise to get to the real feelings - so I pushed s few buttons.

I do feel the problems need to be brought out in the open - but only we have the power to do something about it, by the leave of Allah Almighty.

In fact, immigrant Muslims presence in America na other Western countries was necessary in order for us to arrive at this exact point and time. It was all an education to eventually understand the right way. We had to go through this process to learn what not to do.

Everything is perfect.

But the time is here - we need to begin.

Thank you very much all you immigrant Muslims for all that you have done but we will take it from here - you can go home now - your dawa is finished.

But, ahhhhhhhh, yes, you really were not here for dawa were you? Evidenced by your lack of willingness to go home.

I would encourage you to write from your perspective - just keep the big picture in mind. Please e-mail me a final copy - love to read it.

Peace!

GM writes:
"Nobody owns or defines Islam - not AA Muslims, not Arabs not anyone. God has defined and laid out this religion. It is a global religion for all men in all times. As a Black man myself, I find this attempted hijacking of Islam as a black 'religion' absolutely offensive. What the hell is that about? In their zeal to fight a present and real injustice and prejudice, some Black Americans have tended to appropriate
Islam as a reaction against white America. This is not what this religion is about. It is not a political statement - it's a way of life."

I definitely don't think that Prof. Jackson is trying to reduce Islam to a political statement or turn it into a Black religion. I don't think he is saying it *should* be a Black religion or *should* be an Arab religion. Of course, in the ideal Islam should be as inclusive of as many groups as possible.

But I think when you talk about the real world and talk about what *actually* happens in different mosques and Islamic centers there are going to be cultural and demographic differences. And some mosques are going to have a mostly Arab crowd with an Arab khatib and the khutbahs will often be on Palestine or Iraq.. while some khatibs might have an African-American crowd and a Black khatib and many khutbahs will be on what is happening around the corner.

I don't mean to oversimplify. And I'm not trying to be divisive. We all can fit under the umbrella of Islam and we can all be practicing the same din, but when you get down to the brass tacks, get down to the details of what the actual Muslim organizations are like, and what their concerns are, and where their priorities are, I think you can find (cultural) differences.

Abdul-Halim

Good Morning to all...
I have a fairly basic question. Please forgive my ignorance. I've only been a revert for 13 months.

What is the ruling on Muslims selling liquor to non-muslims? It is my understanding that non-muslims are not bound by muslim law. I see how supplying a muslim with alcohol is wrong; would selling alcohol to a non-muslim be considered one of those "disliked -but-allowed" things?

As someone who lived in LA during the riots, and whose family (illegally) emmigrated from Mexico to East LA: This is a problem that won't be solved for a generation or two. Different = Scary and all that.

Didn't our Prophet (PUBH) say something to the effect that a bad deed done for a good reason is still a bad deed?

Violence is almost always wrong...but I guess that is the ex-Quaker in me.

Warm Regards to all,
chicana muslima

Friendly Combatant,

Regarding your 08 December @ 7:01 post:
Brilliant! As the granddaughter of illegal immigrants, I couldn't agree more. Your statement needs to be on a poster somewhere.

We need to respect AND educate ourselves about the CULTURAL differences within the myriad of peoples that make up Islam - they can be huge.

What is polite in my culture may be a serious breach of good manners in yours- I say this as someone caught between the Mexican and Anglo cultures.

Okay, I'll stop talking now...
Regards,
Chicana Muslima

Spiritual Chicana,

Drop the Muslima tag - it carries much excess baggage.

Look for the people searching for spiriuality and stay away from people claiming to be Muslim - this is the best advice I can give you. They will draw you away from Islam.

The Sahaba, before receiving advanced siritual training, were told not to call themselves believers - only Muslim. Believer is something entirely different. When belief has entered our hearts - cultural differences disapear.

There are those who are above believer - Knowers. They need not believe - they know. FIND one of these people. There are many frauds - ask Allahs protection and you will find your way, but you must look.

Thank you for your advice. It is very deep. I will ponder it tonight.
salaams,
CM

friendly combatant:

What I have seen from you has been mainly:

1-an attack on immigrant muslims (yes, they can sometimes be misled in their ways but they are vital to us, as the ansar and muhajirun were vital to each other)

2- an obsession with the end of time

You wrote:

"This, more than anything is why immigrant Muslims need to butt out and why they have done so much damage in America. Converts, in gerneral, are much more spiritual than born Muslims - they have been searching their entire lives and have sacrificed so much to become Muslim. Left alone they would have found their way alot sooner - but that is hard to quantify - in reality, the lessons learned from seeing the wrong way will only help to make them stronger.

We have out of kindness and respect defered to our immigrant Muslim friends long enough. It is time to flisten to our hearts and find our own way. That way will lead us to where we need to go. "

I hate it when converts toot their own horn. Im a convert too, and everyone pats me on the back and says how good I am, and how bad they are in comparison. It seems this may have gone to your head. As Muslims, we dont deal with the "what if"s, we deal with what IS. So its completely disempowering to sit here and take about "if" the immigrant muslims would leaveus alone, we'd handle this american muslim problem straight away. I think its overambitious and silly. take away the immigrant community and we're a teeny insulated community.

plus, kindly speak for yourself. you dont speak for all converts. I love my immigrant friends. some of them are very misguided, some of them are good muslims, but still flawed like all of us. I dont know what I would do without some of them.

This is a reflection of your good heart - not to boost your ego.

Never claimed to be speaking for converts. Nonetheless, I have been around the block and have graduated from the toddler stage of accepting everything our immigrant Muslim friends have to say. I have also experienced what it is like to live in their country and can better understand the level of arrogance it must take to think you can lead a people you know little or nothing about better than they can lead themselves.

So, two questions.

First, how long have you been a convert?

Second, can you site an example where an immigrant Muslim person or organization has fostered an indigenous Muslim to lead their own people?

There are a few clouded examples, but when you peel back the wrapper you will almost always find the trophy syndrome - need I explain, or the self serving benefits from the draw that that particular poster boy can bring to a convention or event.

Examples of real support to the indigenous Muslim community are found where? Show me lasting examples of immigrant Muslims giving back to the communities they take so much from. Most of their charity heads overseas, not spent to help local communities. What has brought them to non-Muslim lands where there is growing anger and hostility towards them. What?

Students I have met overseas, initially sponsored by immigrant communities, usually get dumped in the first or second year - left dangling in the wind in a strange foreign country. Those they do continue to support are almost always pressured into returning to teach the unruly children of immigrant Muslim doctors and accountants - such a waste.

So please, one example of unselfish support would do wonders to shut me up - just one. I have found not one in my many years within the Muslim community. I am saying amongst the immigrant Muslim community in America.

I can, however, point you towards one very unselfish person who has done wonders for converts - thatís the good news. But, I will not offer his name here - if you want you must find for yourself and if you do want, you will find. Even amongst those following this person there are immigrant Muslims in America who are on their own crusade - so to speak.

continued . . . .

There is an epidemic of people calling themselves Sheikhs today who are not the least bit qualified. 1-800-fatwa lines are a prime example of what I am talking about. For the most part Immigrant Muslims in America are drawing people away from Islam and turning them into reactionary, hostile, angry people. If you have not seen this yet, you are either very new or very blind.

MAny converts are simply replacing one identity with a new identity and they will fight to protect the new identity without valid reason - all emotion. I hope you are not among these converts. Angry at the culture that discriminates against them, they convert. Rebelious against their parents, they convert. Obsesive compulsive, they embrace the order and rules - these are the people supporting the wrong immigrant Muslim teaching.

A person reads 100 books on marriage, gets themselves a certificate from a business called a university and then thinks themselves qualified to teach about marriage without ever loving soemone or being married. Such idiots, such fools. This is not Islam.

You must be married and have loved someone to teach about marriage. So go to book scholars and learn about marriage and pretend to be understanding marriage or find someone who has been married for fifty years and ask them. I will repeat this, almost all immigrant Muslims in America are teaching a brand of Islam that has nothing to do with Islam - Islam from books. You must understand this if you are to progress.

Take from my experience or leave it - no one forcing you to see things as I do.

Ma Salaama

It seems you identify the problem as being that scholars have become too bookish and are not relying on real life examples. I think that there must be a balance. I think the scholar should be book-learned, or his knowledge will be questioned. After all, most of the sacred knowledge of our religion can be found in books: the Quran, and books of ahadith. Books. If you want to know how the Prophet lived, you go to a book. Of course, you can also see another Muslim living like the Prophet by example. But these are rare, thus we have books. I agree that a scholar should be married before he talks about marriage, yet I have also given public lectures about marriage in Islam, and Im not married.

I agree there are not many indigenous Muslim scholars or speakers, but this I believe is in proportion to our number. If we want to increase that number, then we must go to a university of some sort, (perhaps you can suggest one since you take issue with certain schools), and study Islam.

Your insistence on being vague and telling people to "look for yourself" makes you sound mysterious and silly. Of course people will look for themselves, look "inside" and all that psycho babble......but if you support one indigenous Muslim scholar, say his name, share the wisdom, pass it on, man. Personally, I think Hamza Yusuf is a rare breed of Muslim scholar, and I admire him greatly. While I dont find all my needs fulfilled in him, thats why we have a diversity of scholars. Im not afraid to throw a name out there. I think he's a well intentioned man seeking truth, he's very well-read, and he represents the white Muslim community---an even rarer find.

(cont'd ) Why do you need an example of immigrant Muslims "fostering" an indigenous Muslim? What do you mean by fostering? And what do you mean by leading their own community? Perhaps immigrant Muslims think that we are all one community, and that we should have leaders representating all of us, not the ethic sections. I think you need to do away with this dichotomy you've set up. Let's stop viewing Muslims as black/white, immigrant/indigenous......let's just view them as Muslims. Believe it or not once we do that, once we REALLY see one another as Muslims, that will be all we will ever need.

The imam at my masjid is an immigrant Muslims, yet whenever I come in he drops the hint at me that I should go to an Islamic university and get a degree. This, and I am a woman, mind you. A white female convert, 21 years old. Yet this Pakistani (yes, immigrant!) man is telling me to get my degree in Islam. Clearly he sees something in me.

Another brother I know, from Morocco, has told me the same thing.

You sound let down by our immigrant Muslim friends. Did somebody hurt you, fail to treat you as a Muslim? Fail to encourage you to learn more? If so, I know what it's like. Yes, there are problems, yes, indigenous Muslims need to step up to the plate, especially female ones. We are too caught up in the dunya, we must learn the sacred knowledge of our religion. You sound like someone who would be a great representative for indigenous Muslims, what are you doing to make that happen for us?

Mysterious and Silly?

I have learned not to waste my time and while sincere you still have a long way to go. My telling you anything is pointless if you are not ready to listen. Searching for yourself will help ready you.

As long as you are willing to take the advice of a paid Imam employee at a country club posing as a Masjid - run by doctors and accounts who flocked to America to smother themselves in dunya, what I say will matter little.

Hamaza Yusef is not of the caliber of Sheikh I am refering to. He runs a business in the form of Zaytuna Institute similar to immigrant Muslims who come here and establish non-profits, thinking they are serving God when it is only their own ego they are serving. While sincere, both he and I have a long way to go.

Without a real authorized living Sheikh, you will not find reality. Most of the ways are cut now, only one remains, but our egos are keeping us from finding it. We think that we can manage from books. We think ourselves Sheikh's unto ourselves. This is wrong.

I believe many, including Hamaza Yusef will find this one way and this one Sheikh and people will flock towards him in the near future. There may be much difficulty in the processes - no one said it would be easy.

Search and Ye Shall Find, Knock and the Door Shall Open.

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