Are Islam and the Nation of Islam the same thing? If not, what is the difference?
— Joseph, Sahuarita
Dear Habibi,*
Islam and the Nation of Islam are different things.
The Nation of Islam was created and founded in the United States by Elijah Muhammad, and in its ideology there is a mix of mainstream Islamic theology and American history. For example, followers of the Nation of Islam believe in praying five times a day and in the Quran. They believe in the day of judgment — but they add to it that judgment day will be in America.
The Nation of Islam doctrine is geared mainly toward repairing damage done historically against the black Africans brought to the United States as slaves — with a dash of Islam added to it.
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Some of its beliefs are of inflammatory nature. The Nation of Islam asks for American lands to be given to the black people so that they can separate from the rest of the U.S. They also want be free of taxation, forbid interracial marriage and segregate schools by gender.
Nation of Islam's women who choose to wear the head cover wear it differently from mainstream Muslims, exposing their necks. Adult males are usually well-dressed in a suit and tie. Nation of Islam mosques are usually not named, but numbered, and are called "temples," not mosques.
You can read more about the Nation of Islam at http://www.noi.org.
Practically speaking, most Muslims do not identify followers of the Nation of Islam as Muslims because its theological foundation is so different from Sunni Islam.
I have seen Nation of Islam recruiters when I visit Pittsburgh. They stand near traffic lights giving away their newspaper to some people but not others. In Hawaii, I went to one of their big conferences in 2003 where Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan's speech was televised, so I met some Nation of Islam followers.
I think what shocks me is how the Nation of Islam puts down "the white man," portraying Islam as a faith exclusively for African Americans.
Mona Darwich-Gatto, an Arab-American, has lived in several places throughout the world and has moved around with her husband, a former U.S. Marine. You can read her blog, Salaam Sahuarita, and add your comments at SahuaritaStar.com. Send your questions to askamuslim@azstarnet.com.
* Habibi and Habibati are the male and female forms of an Arabic word that means "darling," "honey," "dear" or "friend."
