Jehron Muhammad: Islamic presence in Philly unique, recognizable

Islam in Philly, unlike other American cities, has its own unique "recognizable presence," contends Qasim Rashad, Emir of United Muslim Masjid, a city-based mosque.

This presence, he argues, can be attributed to Philadelphia's roughly 250,000 Muslims, including a significant presence in the leadership of the many of Philadelphia's schools.

"You don't see black Islam in New York or Baltimore like you see in Philadelphia," Rashad said. He attributes that to persons like music mogul, Kenny Gamble, aka Luqman Abdul Haqq, one of South Philadelphia's largest developers of city homes.  Gamble also runs several charter schools under his community development corporation, Universal Companies.

The same can be said of Zakariyya Abdur Rahman, president and CEO of Nicetown CDC (community development corporation). As Gamble and his Universal Co. have developed in South Philly, Rahman's Nicetown CDC has not only developed low income homes and businesses, but also partnered with other community organizations to care for the increasing needs of the community.

Rahman, in addition, sits on the board of the Philadelphia- based Masjidullah Center for Human Excellence, the largest Masjid in the tri-state (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware) area.

The comments came over dinner recently when Richard Muhammad, editor-in-chief of the Chicago-based Final Call News, was in town to address the Locs conference and to talk to students at Shoemaker Mastery School.  "A tell-tale sign of Philly's Islamic attraction is having the editor of the Final Call in the city as often as he is," Rashad said.

Muhammad made mention of people that paved the way for Islam in Philadelphia like Philadelphia's Minister Jeremiah Shabazz.  He accompanied Malcolm X in the early 1960s and once interrupted a Klu Klux Klan rally in Georgia.  And in the 1970's Shabazz had the largest Muslim community in the city, whose numbers have still not been surpassed.

During the height of his administration in the mid-1970's, his Shabazz's Mosque #12, had radio and television programs, and owned Shabazz Bakery, maker of the world-famous bean pie.  The mosque sold weekly more than 100,000 Muhammad Speaks newspapers and was one of the largest sellers of frozen fish in the city. His legacy was documented in a Scribe Video documentary titled, "Seeds Of An Awakening: The Early Nation of Islam In Philadelphia."

Islam's Philadelphia influence also comes from educators like Sharif El Mekki, an educator and activist and principal of Shoemaker Mastery.  He also attended the dinner.  President Obama and Oprh Winfrey have recognized El Mekki for creating a school that partners with communities to turnaround failing schools. In addition, New Leaders has awarded the Shoemaker Campus, under El Mekki's leadership, with the prestigious EPIC award for three consecutive years for accelerating students' achievement levels.

Still, El Mekki believes that Muslims in Philadelphia are becoming complacent because of our ubiquitous presence. "Masjid's and Halal stores everywhere, that's not the end all," El Mekki, who spent part of his childhood growing up in Iran, said.  "I think we're missing the mark in some regards because we've gotten comfortable."

When El Mekki first became a teacher, and was discovered to be a Muslim, he said, people held him to a high standard. "This is a sign of honor and respect, he said." To have a city full of Muslims, "it should be the best city in the country."

El Makki references Prophet Muhammad, who preached the importance of wanting for your brothers and sisters what you want for yourself. El Mekki stressed the importance of unifying the entire Muslim community regardless of school of thought, or racial or ethnic backgrounds. "It's not just helping your brother in faith, but it's also helping your brother in humanity," he said.

Eric Muhammad, the executive director of Griotworks, an arts based nonprofit that encourages artists to be involved in the community, said during dinner that when Islam was initially presented to him, it was presented "as a solution to our social ills."

The Baltimore native said that when he moved to Philly, he saw black Muslims "as a guide post for the broader black community." And because, he said the "affection people had for Islam" and the fact that it was deeply ingrained in their psyche, it was a simple process to raise the "consciousness of artist" by pulling on what was already there.

Rashad said whether it's the fascination for Philly beards or faith in the religion, "we have a unique brand of Islam." He said it was always encouraging when "so-and-so joined the Nation," or some masjid, because the feeling back then was "he got his life together." He said that the fact that "black Muslims don't get associated with 9/11 puts us in a unique position," and able to do things the immigrant Muslim population can't.