I volunteer weekly at the Clara Muhammad elementary school in Anacostia, Washington DC. As a Muslim who grew up in the Chicago suburbs with a large, predominantly South Asian community, this is big for me.
This experience is connecting me to a large cut of the Muslim community in the United States, which has been historically isolated from the rest: the African American Muslim community, representing the largest ethnic minority among American Muslims.
The Clara Muhammad School and the American Muslim community
The Clara Muhammad (CM) school is a private Islamic elementary school with about twenty-five students in Anacostia, a neighborhood that is about 92% African American. This school, along with the network of 33 CM sister schools in the U.S., was founded in 1975 by Clara Muhammad and Imam Warith D. Mohamed, both family members of the late Nation of Islam leader, Elijah Muhammad.
Since those days, the African American Muslim community has integrated their theology and practices with mainstream interpretations of Sunni Islam, but issues of social integration within the larger Muslim community still exist. The importance of this process for the harmony among black Muslims and Muslims of other ethnic backgrounds in the United States can’t be overstated. Despite varying histories and narratives, we make up one diverse community with a lot of work to do.
As a mentor and tutor
So, every Monday, I take time away from my full-time interfaith commitment at Buxton to serve within my own faith community in DC. I serve as a tutor and aide to a fourth and fifth grade class and help students who face academic challenges. My time is both fun and informative, especially of the challenges of a small school educating young, underprivileged kids who seek a uniquely religious education. In addition to subjects like math and language arts, students get the chance to take Arabic and an Islamic studies class, and they take time out to pray as a community.
What is most interesting to me, as someone who grew up in the public school system, is how class subjects intertwine with a holistic message that education is for the purpose of serving God and your community. I do also get a kick out of the occasional Muslim expressions, “inshaAllah!” (God willing) and “alhamdulillah!” (all praises to God) thrown around in class.
The kids on the big stage! (sort of)
Being able to connect with the people of this community and have fun with my class has been a tremendous experience, and I encourage you to visit.
This Friday afternoon (11/20/09), the kids of Clara Muhammad elementary are performing a play about Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, at Masjid Muhammad, which serves as CM’s main mosque. If you’d like to attend, feel free to call (202-467-2075) or email me (rizwaan.akhtar@buxtoninitiative.org) for details.
Tags: African American Muslim, black Muslim, Clara Muhammad, DC Muslims, Masjid Muhammad, Nation of Islam
Thanks for sharing. I’d be interested in visiting the Clara Muhammad School sometime. I know very little about the African American Muslim community. Have you found any major differences between the African American Muslim community and your own?
That’s a great opportunity you have. The students will never forget the South Asian boy who comes to class every Monday.
Riz, this is so great to hear about. Thanks for going out there and making a difference!
I too would love to visit this school insha’allah. I love being in a school environment regardless but I’ve never been to a Muslim only school.