W. Deen Mohammed Passes
Muslims in Plainfield and across the nation will no doubt be remembering W. Deen Mohammed in prayers today. According to the Muslim Journal, the leader of the largest constituency of Muslims in America died Tuesday.
A son of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, W. Deen Mohammed succeeded his father as leader of the Nation of Islam and opened the movement to all races.
"He was a public servant who stood up against racial oppression and worked continuously for peace, unity and reconciliation. He maintained his father's legacy of economic and political empowerment for the Muslim community," a press release from the Muslim Journal stated.
Click here to read an obituary from The New York Times and here for one from The Washington Post.
As a reporter, I came to know about the American Muslim movement and the work of W. Deen Mohammed through Masjid-ullah on Grant Avenue. Former Councilwoman Faheemah El-Amin was involved in providing food to the needy at the masjid and at a city homeless shelter. I learned that people of all nationalities gathered at the masjid for Friday prayers. One year, members saw to it that a banner was raised over Park Avenue declaring "Ramadan Mubarak!" meaning Blessed Ramadan.
Nowadays, understanding of Muslims in America has increased. For the first time, the Plainfield school district will observe Eid al-Fitr, a celebration marking the end of the month-long fasting of Ramadan, as an official holiday. Still, as much as Plainfielders value diversity, there is more to learn about the movement and the interfaith leadership of W. Deen Mohammed. Please take a moment to read about his life and work and give a thought to our many neighbors who are observing Ramadan this month.
--Bernice Paglia
A son of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, W. Deen Mohammed succeeded his father as leader of the Nation of Islam and opened the movement to all races.
"He was a public servant who stood up against racial oppression and worked continuously for peace, unity and reconciliation. He maintained his father's legacy of economic and political empowerment for the Muslim community," a press release from the Muslim Journal stated.
Click here to read an obituary from The New York Times and here for one from The Washington Post.
As a reporter, I came to know about the American Muslim movement and the work of W. Deen Mohammed through Masjid-ullah on Grant Avenue. Former Councilwoman Faheemah El-Amin was involved in providing food to the needy at the masjid and at a city homeless shelter. I learned that people of all nationalities gathered at the masjid for Friday prayers. One year, members saw to it that a banner was raised over Park Avenue declaring "Ramadan Mubarak!" meaning Blessed Ramadan.
Nowadays, understanding of Muslims in America has increased. For the first time, the Plainfield school district will observe Eid al-Fitr, a celebration marking the end of the month-long fasting of Ramadan, as an official holiday. Still, as much as Plainfielders value diversity, there is more to learn about the movement and the interfaith leadership of W. Deen Mohammed. Please take a moment to read about his life and work and give a thought to our many neighbors who are observing Ramadan this month.
--Bernice Paglia
posted by Bernice at 3:22 AM
4 Comments:
Bernice,
How many Muslims are there in Plainfield? Do the numbers justify a school holiday?
thanks...
D.
The Muslim school holiday will be canceled due to the NJ HSPA Exam which must be given that week. We were told that we would have Friday off before Memorial Day in its place.
Bernice, has this date change been confirmed? Siddeeq
When discussing the Nation of Islam, please be mindful to understand when publizing this information that you note they are note Muslims. The Nation of Islam is not a sect of Islam. They follow the Christian Bible and partially the Qu'ran. Again, the nation of Islam ARE NOT MUSLIMS!!!
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