Showcasing diversity in the Black community: MASS presents Black Muslims in America
Multicultural Academic Student Services (MASS) hosted their Black Muslims in America event Thursday, Feb. 16 in the Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity (CSID) at Bovee University Center as part of the Black History Month events.
Students of all races and religions filled up the CSID on a snowy Thursday night to learn about influential Black Muslims and how Islam was brought to America and became prevalent in Black communities.
Students hold up hearts with their hands at the end of the Black Muslims in America event, Thursday, Feb. 16 in Bovee University Center. The room filled with applause at the end of the event.
A slideshow full of videos and facts about Islam and Black Muslims in America, as well as discussion questions, were shown over the projector to the quiet crowd. Popular Black Muslim figures such as Omar ibn Said, Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali were all part of the presentation as well as celebrities like Shaq, Janet Jackson and SZA.
“It's important to showcase the diversity and intersectionality of different communities but specifically the Black community,” Mahum Hakim, event leader and coordinator said.
Youtube videos like “Introduction to Islam | Belief | Oprah Winfrey Network” by OWN and “American Muslims on what Muhammad Ali meant to them” by Quartz, to slides about popular American Muslims, attendees were showered with information for the entirety of the event.
At the end of the slideshow, the crowd gathered into small groups to go over the discussion questions briefly before discussing amongst the entire room.
Discussion questions included:
- What is your perception of Islam? Has it changed through this presentation?
- How does the media’s portrayal of Islam compare to what you’ve learned?
- Many people don’t realize many celebrities are Muslim. Why might they be so reserved about their religious identity? Have you ever felt like you needed to hide your religious identity?
Lagos graduate student Rafiat Adebayo presents during the Black Muslims in America event, Thursday, Feb. 16 in Bovee University Center. The presentation covered the origins of the Nation of Islam, as well as its reformation.
“I hope that people learned a little bit more about Islam, the religion itself and also the diversity or Black community,” Hakim said.
According to cmich.edu, MASS plays a critical role in providing the campus community with various opportunities to create awareness regarding the diversity that exists at our university. As stated by Hakim, this event is an example of that.
“Going to a [Predominantly White Institution], it's really important to have spaces like the CSID,” Hakim said. “Just because it can be a little overwhelming to have to talk to a majority crowd instead of a minority crowd, if that makes sense.
“Having a space where you have a really big diverse group of people to talk to with different perspectives. I think it makes it easier and a lot more comfortable to have conversations.”
The MASS Black History Month 2023 events calendar can be found here.
