I grew up in a different world from most people. One would call it a different society if one wanted to. The name of this society is the United Nation of Islam; we called it the UNOI for short. Many people might wonder if I was part of a utopia. The answer depends on how one views the world. I viewed it from a whole different perspective. It was very different from how I am living my life today. Whenever I begin to tell people about my experiences with UNOI, they automatically think I’m a Muslim. This group originated from a Muslim Group, but I wasn’t considered a Muslim. Being a part of the Nation shaped me into the person I am today.
I have five brothers and sisters. They all had home births; it was the way of the Nation. Conversely, I was born
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I figured it was because I was such a hard-working person in the Nation, I took it with me. Making friends and getting comfortable with my surroundings, became easier for me. Things did start looking up for me.
I’m currently a senior and I’m in the top third of my class. My ranking is currently 11 out of 318 students. Looking at where I’m at now, I’m happy that I just kept working hard. When I go to college I plan on majoring in Mass communication. I always loved to edit videos, and I would love it even more if it were my dream job. So I’m just going to work at it until I reach that goal.
I’m proud that I know how to work and operate in this world, but I still miss the Nation. Being away from the Nations for all these years, I feel like something is always going to be missing from my life. I wonder how my life would of ended up if I wasn’t in the Nation. In my opinion the Nation shaped me into the person I am today. If I grew up in the real world, I wonder what would have happened, what would I be like? I hate that I’ll never know the answers to these questions, but in a way I would not trade being in the Nation for
In 1961 James Baldwin met Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam movement at the time. Baldwin’s experience within the Christian Church prior to his meeting with Elijah helped him analyze the Nation of Islam. This also allowed him to draw parallels between the Nation of Islam movement and the Christian Church. How James Baldwin understood the way the Christian Church worked, and a close look at the Nation of Islam, brings to light the credibility of organized religions.
Compare and Contrast Nation of Islam with real Islam. The Islamic religion is referred to as the original faith. Their holy text is the Koran and the followers of the Islamic religion are called Muslims. They worship God and the prophet Muhammad. However, in the early 1900s, a new religion, the Nation of Islam, began.
There are many challenges that one must face as we go through life. I have faced a few myself, however, none proved more challenging than moving from my country; Jamaica, to the United States and subsequently moving to the state of Wisconsin. Deciding to leave behind family and friends is the hardest decision to make, however, there are a few things that I was not prepared for that made the transition more challenging than expected. Moving away from all that is familiar culturally, socially and economically can be even more of a daunting task than imagined. There are things that are taught to us by our parents and others that are more dictated by our environment than anything else, so when I immigrated to the United States I had three major challenges to overcome.
close friends, and a stable job. Life was very easy and interesting for me. But living here,
symbolizes blatant racism. To others, it is seen as a savior of the black community.
In conclusion, leaving my country was the hardest decision I have ever made in my life. I know it’s easy to imagine yourself with different things and in different places, but when it comes to reality; it’s very hard, especially, when you decide to move to another country, and try to adjust yourself to everything new. I am very grateful for everything we have today, America is
Coming to a foreign country is a daunting experience. When I first moved to America, I had to leave everything behind such as, - my family,friends, and life back home. Although I welcomed the change, I was also afraid. This fear hovered over me for a long time before I had the courage to let it go. My experiences, both good and bad, allowed me to break out of my shell, become a leader for my family, and strive against all the odds to achieve my goals.
Too Much No matter how strongly one feels about something, sometimes thoughts and actions can become too intense, too extreme, quite simply: too much. The idea of exceeding normal boundaries is a key idea in the Nation of Islam movement in America in the 1950s and 1960s. The Nation of Islam preached an idea that was very unfamiliar to common thought in America at that time. Ideology practiced by black Muslims, as those people of Islam were known as, was very intense, very driven, very narrow minded, but it made a lot of African Americans feel better about who they were and where they were at.
But the major factor was moving away from my family and living in an alien environment with people either I never met before or talked to them just a couple of times before coming to Canada. All my uncles arrived in Canada a long time ago, so I never had the chance to develop any relationship with them. Only family and relatives I knew were people I spent 18 years of my life with, in Pakistan. I always knew that living away from my family and friends will be different, but I never realized the changes I would have to make in my lifestyle to fit in a new environment. Mainly because of difference in lifestyle. I lived a luxurious life compared to how people live here in Canada. We had three cars, two drivers, two security guards and two maids always at the service inside our house. I never had to do any chores in my life. From cleaning the dishes and washrooms to doing laundry and getting groceries, there was always someone present in my house to do my chores. You could pretty much say that I was spoiled. That 's the reason why living in Canada was so much complicated for me. Here in Canada, no one cared if I have eaten anything or slept empty stomach. Everyone was busy with their lives. My uncle and aunt both worked full time, so we never use to have family dinner except sometimes on weekends. I had to learn how to cook, do laundry, clean washrooms and everything else all by myself. And very soon I became, from being always dependent on others to an independent person. Or you could say an average person. It became my first transformation that made me change my
Since I still wanted to make friends, I desperately continued to try to break down the barrier between my peers and I and I slowly began to succeed. As I began making more and more friends, my experience in the U.S. started to become a happier one. Although there were still many things about American culture that I did not understand, I chose to face my fears head on which lead to a more content life. I realized that no matter where you are from, what obstacles you had to face, or what social class you belong to, coming to America gives you an opportunity to build a new and better life for you and your family. The journey to learn this lesson was not an easy one, but I’m glad I learned it.
In the early 1930’s, in Detroit, when the Nation of Islam was initially founded it was not really widely known. It was a very secluded and introverted religion and community. It was not until they came under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad that the Nation of Islam became a household name in the early 1960’s. The Nation of Islam, during the 60’s, was one of the forerunners for African American unity. They strove for a separate black community. They wanted to be completely separated from the white community only because, according to their beliefs, white people were all devils. Elijah Muhammad being influenced by many people and factors in his life led the Nation of Islam to the point where many blacks started to look toward Islam as a way out. The Nation provided an escape from the harsh racial treatment and discrimination that was going on during the time. The brutality of the police is a great example. Within the Nation, however, some political moves were also taken towards blacks acquiring their civil and human rights. The Nation’s efforts seemed to be at it’s all time high from 1960-1965 during the time Muhammad and Malcolm X, as his right hand man, led the Nation. After that time period however, the nation seemed to fall apart. Once Malcolm X was dismissed from the Nation, the Nation and it’s followers seemed to become a bit quieter. It was more than likely due to the fact that after Muhammad’s death, the Nation split into different paths and even in a new direction.
In The Idea of the Muslim World, Dr. Cemil Aydin discusses contemporary stereotypes and issues regarding the concept of the "Muslim World". His approach to the concept includes a historical examination of the Muslim religious community starting from the nineteenth century, achieving full flower in the 1870s (Aydin, 3). Aydin offers a "critical genealogy of the idea of the Muslim world, showing how, starting in the late nineteenth century, pan-Islamists and Islamophobes have used the assumption, ideal, and threat of Muslim unity to advance political agendas" (5). This approach is important as it demonstrates how the purpose of the creation of the Muslim world was so the Christian West could position it in everlasting conflict against Islam.
It is through the events in the journey of life that shapes and molds who we are as people. As for me, immigrating to America was one of those milestones that have shaped who I am. Those who have had the opportunity of moving from a different country to America know what a privilege it is. I felt the same honor to know that I would be journeying to the land of opportunity. Without hesitance, I spent the last two months packing and making the final preparations before moving to a new continent. Although it was a bittersweet time, leaving my beloved family behind, I knew that I couldn’t resist the treasure that waited for me in the new land. Coming from a developing nation the high level of sophistication that greeted me on arrival to America made feel like I was in paradise.
A primary question imposes itself. Do we muslims represent an umma in the contemporary world?
When I first enrolled here at State University, I never thought I would ever be in the position to graduate. Finishing college was a huge goal growing up but it was also my biggest fear. But after three and a half years of dedication I plan to get my degree in the fall. Getting this far in college was not easy, it took encouragement from family, dedication, and assistance from others to reach this position.