African-American Muslims Feel Eclipsed in the Public Eye by Immigrant Muslims

January 30, 2002

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-013002muslims,1,117407.story

On January 30, 2002 the Los Angeles Times reported that "feeling snubbed by Muslim immigrants who are defining the faith for the U.S. public, African American Muslims are calling attention to the way they, too, practice their beliefs...Ironically, the increasing attention on Muslims in America [after Sept. 11] has left many African American Muslims feeling marginalized. 'We share the faith with immigrant Muslims, but not much else,' says Abdul Karim Hasan, Bilal's director. 'For African American Muslims, the priorities are economic justice, education and service to humanity at the street level in our country. We don't make decisions based on what is good for Pakistan, Afghanistan or the Middle East.'"