http://elan.contexthosting.net/index.php/issues/index/ en elan@elanthemag.com Copyright 2009 2009-01-08T02:18:40-05:00 http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/what_malcolm_taught_barack/ http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/what_malcolm_taught_barack/#When:04:05:44Z A daughter recounts her father’s legacy, and sets the record straight on the 44th President. SINCE MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY, I have committed my life to perpetuating my family’s legacy of unyielding service to humanity.  A significant aspect of that work involves protecting their legacies from being misappropriated and misrepresented for someone else’s agenda - or because they simply don’t understand the full scope of my father’s evolution and lifework.  In 2002, I published my first book, Growing Up X, a coming-of-age memoir about a daughter who not only witnessed the traumatic untimely death of her father, but was blessed by the unparalleled strength, courage and guidance of the most dedicated mother.  Most people don’t realize that my father, Al Hajj Malik Shabazz aka Malcolm X, was an extremely young man - just in his 20s - when he committed himself to social justice.  He was barely an adult when he hoisted humanity upon his shoulders and began advocating for human rights. I often hear people say my father changed when he went abroad.  He didn’t change - he simply evolved. My father is regarded worldwide as a man of impeccable character and integrity.  Quite naturally, I was utterly appalled when I switched on my TV screen and saw a very intimate picture of him kneeling in prayer surrounded by a montage of images of what would be associated with terrorism and extremism.  Not only did this perpetuate extreme and negative depictions of Muslims and Islam, but also unwarranted, inaccurate images of my father.  To hear the audio of his words being used to demean Obama and create divisiveness among his supporters was beyond disturbing. Those images of Islam, Muslims and my father along with the statements (Al-Zawahiri’s statements) served to imply negative assumptions about Islam, about Muslims and of course about my father.  Were he alive today, my father would share everyone’s joy about the prospect of returning the United States to a position of credibility, respect and leadership in the world.  He would extend his hand in service and support of President Obama’s agenda and initiatives to empower citizens of the U.S. - and of the world - in the exercise of human rights. My dedication is to continue to seek knowledge and do what I can so that my father’s image isn’t used to promote terror, violence and animosity in this country or anywhere on this earth.  Forty-four years after his martyrdom, he remains the most famous and recognized Muslim American, as well as a role model for men and women alike advocating for social justice.  The Autobiography of Malcolm X remains on the all time best-sellers list since its publication.  His legacy continues to inspire individuals from all backgrounds, ethnicities and religions to believe in equality, freedom and the inalienable rights intended for all of humanity. Obama himself has said that my father’s autobiography provided him with a sense of identity. My father didn’t commit himself to integrate schools nor to integrate restaurants.  He never felt that one should have to ask or plead with his brother to drink from the same fountain or eat in the same restaurant.  As a result, his focus was much broader; he fought for the inalienable God-given rights primarily of those psychologically traumatized by generations of slavery and its aftermath of prejudice and institutional racism.  One of his greatest gifts is that through his teachings of history, he empowered the African diaspora with a sense of identity, self-respect and purpose. Forty-four years ago, the idea of an African American as President of the most powerful nation on earth - let alone President with a name that is common among Muslims - wasn’t even imaginable.  Yet in 2008, the people of the United States of America voted.  I’ve never witnessed such worldwide interest and pure elation regarding the election of a U.S. President.  My father would have likely appreciated the fact that for 21 months, Obama proved himself to be a man of commitment and determination, and that he effectively built coalitions across the lines of race, gender, creed and age.  My father would have shared the world’s joy regarding his decisive victory - and not just because Obama is an African American - but because he’s an African American who is beyond qualified and prepared. “I WAS UTTERLY APPALLED WHEN I SWITCHED ON MY TV SCREEN AND SAW A VERY INTIMATE PICTURE OF HIM KNEELING IN PRAYER SURROUNDED BY A MONTAGE OF IMAGES OF WHAT WOULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH TERRORISM AND EXTREMISM.” A Harvard Law School graduate, President of the Harvard Law Review, a constitutional law professor, a U.S. Senator and a hard-working individual willing to put himself on the line in order to build coalitions, Obama is unsurprisingly respected by leaders the world over.  And I know my own father would have been impressed by the sheer diversity of support from places like the Philippines, South Korea, South Africa and virtually every corner of the globe that President Obama has received. My father would never ever demean Obama; he would share the world’s excitement about the prospect of returning the U.S. to a position of credibility, respect and leadership.  He would lend his support to this opportunity for unity and peace. One would hope that President Obama will lead by example, adhering to the Constitution that the founding fathers fought so hard in this new world to establish.  One would hope that during his Presidency, a just and peaceful solution will end the decades long conflict between the nations of Israel and Palestine.  Most people don’t know that the Palestinian people have lived without a state for more than 66 years.  Most are unaware that Palestinians have been brutally oppressed and made refugees in their own homeland and in surrounding countries.  Very few know that in the Gaza strip, the Palestinian people have been completely blockaded where they are, unable to receive food, fuel and medical aid.  The situation is so dire that even their hospitals are forced to have power cuts because of the lack of supplies, and they are slowly being starved into submission while the world silently looks away. “MY FATHER WOULD HAVE LIKELY APPRECIATED THE FACT THAT FOR 21 MONTHS, OBAMA PROVED HIMSELF TO BE A MAN OF COMMITMENT AND DETERMINATION, AND THAT HE EFFECTIVELY BUILT COALITIONS ACROSS THE LINES OF RACE, GENDER, CREED AND AGE.  MY FATHER WOULD HAVE SHARED THE WORLD’S JOY REGARDING HIS DECISIVE VICTORY ...” I believe that President Obama and the citizens of the world will also come to understand that Islam is a religion of peace and unity, which in effect, are the same ideals for which my own father advocated.  These ideals run contrary to those of that small minority of people who have obviously strayed away from the message of the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when he taught that even if you absolutely have to fight, it should be avoided at all costs as a peaceful solution is better and bloodshed is abhorred by God.  That even in such a case, you should display the beauty of Islam in your conduct in battle in an honorable way by adhering to the strict laws of conflict and chivalry that have been a fundamental part of the religion since the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 1400 years ago.  This includes the order not to harm a single innocent person regardless of their religion or race because according to the Qur’an, if you kill one innocent person, the travesty is considered so great to God that it’s as if you have killed the whole of humanity.  I am certain that I, along with the overwhelming majority of Muslims, resent the falsehoods and stereotypes perpetuated of Islam.  There exists instead a very small minority of individuals who use a religion that has historically been a force for social change, education, justice, equality and unity among people of all ethnicities, as a tool to promote their selfish message of hate, to kill innocent people and to misconstrue its beautiful teachings as a means to divide mankind and gain a false sense of power.  It is my true belief that President Obama is well aware of the absurdity of condemning an entire religion and trampling on the human rights of its followers in response to the extremism of a limited number of practitioners and/or to condemn any religious group because of the actions of a few.  By this acknowledgment, he would by default be treating Muslims and Muslim countries with the same respect and dignity with which any person should be treated.  I am confident that President Obama will be a shining beacon of what it is to be an American of true integrity - just like my father. Ilyasah Shabazz is the third daughter of Malcolm and Betty Shabazz.  She leads a life dedicated to preserving the X legacy, and developing educational programs which foster self-empowerment and individual responsibility.  She is the author of ‘Growing Up X’, and is currently working on her new novel, ‘Retracing My Father’s Footsteps’. 2009-01-08T04:05:44-05:00 http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/universal_appeal/ http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/universal_appeal/#When:04:29:49Z Discover Obama’s intricate international history USA Born in Hawaii (Honolulu, Hawaii) Completed undergraduate studies at Columbia University (NY,NY) Attended Harvard Law School (Boston, MA) Illinois State Senator (Chicago, IL) Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham, was from Kansas (Wichita, Kansas) Studied at Occidental College for two years before transferring to Columbia (LA, CA) Obama’s current home (Washington D.C.) Obama’s half-sister, Maya Soetoro, lives in Hawaii and is married to a Chinese Canadian KENYA Obama’s father is born in Kanyadhiang Village, Kenya Obama visited Kenya as a child and most recently in 2006 Obama’s half-brother, George Obama,lives in a shantytown outside Nairobi, Kenya PAKISTAN Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham, lived in Gujrawalla, Pakistan for five years as an employee of the Asian Development Bank Obama visited Pakistan to meet his mother and friends from Columbia University (1981) INDIA Obama traveled to Hyderabad, India in the same South Asia trip (1981) INDONESIA Obama attended a school in Jakarta, Indonesia for several years as a child Obama’s mother married Indonesian student Lolo Soetoro in the 1960’s CHINA Obama’s half-brother, Mark Ndesandjo, lives in Shenzhen, a town in Southern China 2009-01-08T04:29:49-05:00 http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/the_audacity_of_hopeful_muslims/ http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/the_audacity_of_hopeful_muslims/#When:03:29:06Z A lifelong civil rights activist highlights why Obama’s Presidency is a sign of progress on multiple levels. ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008, the aspirations and ideals of millions throughout the world were lifted to new heights as a consequence of Barack Hussein Obama’s victory as the 44th President of the United States of America.  And among those rejoicing and celebrating this historic achievement were countless Muslims across all 50 states and throughout the world. President Obama’s transcendent character, multicultural background, compelling life and progressive leadership were all welcomed changes from the archaic and polarizing politics of the last eight years of the Bush Administration.  Citizens cast their votes not only for a change in politics, but also for a shift in American attitude toward the rest of the world.  By moving towards this much-needed transformation, the majority of Americans - including Muslim Americans - declared that they were indeed ready to alter the nation’s standing with the international community.  And with some 1.25 billion Muslims across the globe, the Islamic world couldn’t be more excited and anticipatory about the possibility of increased dialogue, understanding and unity that Obama’s Presidency will undoubtedly bring. “We hope [Obama]...would continue U.S. engagement in the peace process without delay,” stated Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.  “We hope the two-state vision would be transferred from a vision to a realistic track immediately.” Peace is a process that has an increased chance of being realized when all parties involved in the progression have much less fear, and more trust and understanding of the mutual benefits that a lasting serenity will ultimately bring.  The Obama administration has a fresh chance to facilitate a move towards finally establishing true sustainable peace and stability in the Middle East. On October 19, 2008, former Secretary of State Colin Powell appeared on NBC’s Meet The Press to officially endorse Obama. In that setting he felt it was necessary to say American politics should be inclusive for everyone - and that meant inclusive for the millions of Muslims in America. “Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country?” asked Powell.  “The answer’s no, that’s not America.  Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim American kid believing that he or she could be President?” “AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSLIM, I CAN SAY MY PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED WHEN OBAMA WAS ELECTED ... I RECOGNIZE AND BELIEVE THAT OBAMA’S EVOLUTION AS A WORLD LEADER AT THIS MOMENT IN HISTORY IS BEING BLESSED BY ALLAH.” I personally know President Obama. I have had the pleasure of seeing him in action years ago as a Senator on the floor of the Illinois State Legislature in Springfield. He has always been an astute statesman, and an obvious gifted political leader.  But I also knew Obama when he was heavily championing the cause of the poor and disenfranchised on the South Side of Chicago.  In particular, I recall doing some environmental justice work in a community known as Atgeld Gardens Public Housing that became infamous for its vast concentration of toxic and hazardous waste. This was a tough place to do justice work. Yet this was one of the many communities that Obama served effectively to fight for equal justice for all people.  When Obama speaks, he speaks for and on behalf of the people.  His eloquence, fortitude and insight are informed by his many years of experience as a grass roots organizer, peoples’ lawyer and eventual elected representative. As an African American Muslim, I can say my prayers were answered when Obama was elected. I worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in the 1960’s with Dr. Charles Earl Cobb Sr., and with the United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice in the 1970’s and 1980’s.  Most of my life has been in the fight for civil rights for Blacks in America and throughout the world, as well as the fight for freedom, justice and equality for everyone.  From leading the NAACP, I went on to work with the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam.  Still fighting for freedom of people in Africa, as well as in America, I converted to Islam in 1997.  My personal history however is not what is important here.  But as an old school freedom fighter, I recognize and believe that Obama’s evolution as an international leader at this moment in history is being blessed by Allah.  And judging by global reaction, so too does the world. “Barack Hussein Obama’s election really personally brought me a sense of hope and compassion,” explained Ayann Ahmed, a successful entrepreneur of Somali descent who works with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.  “He is very level headed.  I believe he will help bring about a better understanding that Islam is a religion of peace and compassion.  Obama is a man of understanding of the world.” Leaders like Imam El-Hajj Talib Abdur-Rashid of the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood in New York, who is regarded as one of the pillars in the African American Muslim community, didn’t hesitate to release an instantaneous statement of praise for the new President. “I live in Harlem, where people are shouting and dancing in the streets with celebration on their lips and a renewed resolve to live and not just survive in their hearts ... to say the least, Obama has a job ahead of him of immense proportions,” he stated. “But so do we as Muslims in America.” Whenever there is an advance in the consciousness of people to do away with unjustified prejudices against Islam or the Muslim community, then that is cause for hope and goodwill.  No one is expecting Obama to single-handedly change the entire world during his term as President. That is not the issue, nor the expectation.  But with President Obama, rhetoric will translate into sustainable actions for the greater good of society. “Beyond his name that signifies his connection to both the African and Muslim worlds, Barack Obama has demonstrated an openness and familiarity with Islam that gives Muslims hope that we will move beyond the ‘clash of civilizations model’ that has guided America’s policy toward the Muslim world in the past,” said Zaheer Ali, a PhD student in history at Columbia University and an advisor for the upcoming documentary, New Muslim Cool. We are indeed witnessing the political and cultural transformation of the United States amidst Obama’s Presidency.  For those of us who are Muslims, it’s refreshing to observe a trend emerging in American and global media that represents a departure away from some of the stereotypes of the past.  The diversity of Obama’s parents turned out to be an asset, not a liability; the fact that Obama’s father had a Muslim background was viewed as a positive and not as a negative.  But whether we are Muslim or not, the international community should, as a collective, strive to make our existence more harmonious for everyone. President Obama is striving to do what he perceives to be right for America and for the world.  Let us all pray for his safety and success.  Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Muhammad is a civil rights leader, author, former executive director and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and current President and CEO of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN).  2009-01-08T03:29:06-05:00 http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/street_talk/ http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/street_talk/#When:03:03:31Z How do you think an Obama Presidency will impact the Islamic World? MADEEHA 29, GRAD STUDENT/COUNSELOR “I’m hopeful that Obama’s election will improve relations between the U.S. and the Muslim world, but I think that he’ll first have to defend Muslims and explain some of the social faux pas that he made during the campaign.” HASAN 20, RESTAURANT MANAGER “I think President Obama will establish a good relationship with the Muslim world because just like any other part of the world, all we need is communication, and Obama is all about diplomacy and communication.  That’s all we need and that’s all we’re looking for.” RUHIYA 38, WRITER/GRAD STUDENT “I think he’s truly diplomatic, and that’s really what we need now to build bridges between many different communities - including the Muslim community - which isn’t just one world, but is instead comprised of many different faces and ways of practicing.  I think by his very nature he can help unite us.” SEQUAN 27, STUDENT “Obama as the face of America will help the Muslim community tremendously because he gives [America] a face that is representative of the diversity in our community.  It might make people more accepting of Islam and might make people think before they judge - and his name being Obama doesn’t hurt either.” 2009-01-08T03:03:31-05:00 http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/looking_ahead_what_the_future_holds/ http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/looking_ahead_what_the_future_holds/#When:04:38:19Z Elan’s founder and publisher gives a final prediction on the new administration. WHEN BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA was a young boy still shaping and defining his purpose in life, his mother, Ann Dunham, already fell in love with and married two men with Islamic backgrounds.  As a humanitarian aid worker and anthropologist, she paved the foundation for young Obama’s future by the single most significant lesson he could have received:  exposure to the world.  Immersing himself in the culture of Muslim countries like Indonesia, as well as other diverse locations like Kenya and Pakistan as a young man, Obama’s unique upbringing guaranteed a global interconnectivity that goes well beyond political rhetoric. In a time when the United States shares an unpopular standing in the international community, people around the world still celebrated alongside Americans when we voted President Obama into office.  The question is, why?  Why would individuals on every continent, in every country galvanize and honor our election in such a manner?  Why would they hold parties, dance in the streets and plaster Obama’s image on the cover of every major newspaper and magazine?  The answer is quite simple really.  With the potential of permanently shutting down Guantanamo Bay, hosting major speeches in Muslim capitals and finally opening up the lines of communication even with our staunchest enemies, President Obama may in fact hold the key to recovering our stance as the ultimate superpower that leads by true example. From the very beginning of Obama’s campaign, young professional Muslim Americans supported the intellectually astute leader regardless of his careful tactics to distance himself from any association with Muslims. Young Muslim Americans hosted debate watch parties, took time to volunteer in local voting efforts, worked diligently on his campaign and actively participated in the political process.  Proving that we, Muslim youth, not only have hope and faith in our new President, but undeniably believe in his message and sincerity.  It is with this vigor and anticipation that we, the Muslim American community, are proud to have helped make history ... and there is no doubt that President Obama will continue to do so.  “IT IS WITH THIS VIGOR AND ANTICIPATION THAT WE, THE MUSLIM AMERICAN COMMUNITY, ARE PROUD TO HAVE HELPED MAKE HISTORY ... AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.” “I have seen the desperation and disorder of the powerless; how it twists the lives of children on the streets of Jakarta or Nairobi in much the same way as it does the lives of children on Chicago’s South Side,” President Obama himself said in the 2004 preface to Dreams from My Father. It is precisely this state of mind, that we have been waiting for ... and one that could possibly usher in a new golden era with the global Muslim community working in conjunction with the Obama administration. Moniza Khokhar is the founder and publisher of ‘Elan: The Guide to Global Muslim Culture’. 2009-01-08T04:38:19-05:00 http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/its_our_time_editors_letter/ http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/its_our_time_editors_letter/#When:02:35:55Z Let your voice be heard.  Elan’s Editor-in-Chief provides a preview for the issue to come, finding inspiration from her own life, on the Obama Presidency. IT WAS LATE JUNE 2007 and on this sweltering near 100-degree summer afternoon, Michelle Obama paid a visit to Harlem, NY.  Addressing a few hundred gathered at a non-profit after school center, she touched on her husband’s plethora of accomplishments, civic responsibility and the sacrifices personally made by her own family - specifically by her father.  As I sat in a humble designated press area at the back of the gymnasium, I was taken aback by her honesty, gravitas, intelligence and sheer ability to connect with a room full of mostly women and children.  And as Michelle continued emphasizing her responsibility to carry on her father’s legacy and lead every moment of her life only in a manner that would make him proud, I was literally drawn near tears as I reflected on the loss of my own father two years prior. Fast forward a year and half later and Michelle and Barack’s vision is in fact transforming into reality in the most unprecedented and historic way possible.  Not only will the first African American family lead a White House that was constructed on the backs of slaves, but the world will finally take comfort in a President that epitomizes unity and global interconnectivity. As the guide to global Muslim culture, we here at Elan felt compelled to honor the 44th President of the United States via this special inauguration issue.  Barack Hussein Obama not only possesses a keen understanding of the complexities of society but has demonstrated his willingness to engage in discourse and seek amicable solutions even with our opponents.  Let me be clear, we are in no way identifying or even juxtaposing Obama as a Muslim, nor providing fodder for his challengers.  We are instead celebrating and honoring our next President who, by his very nature, experiences and principles truly does represent hope for the millions of Muslims - and non-Muslims alike - on this planet.  Hope that our country’s fundamentals of civil liberty and freedom will remain intact; hope that together we can collectively eliminate social blockades and work effectively towards unifying us all. In this inauguration issue, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Muhammad, civil rights leader and President of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), shares his personal history working with Obama on the South Side of Chicago and the immense impact his candidacy has on Muslims both at home and abroad.  Malcolm X’s middle child, Ilyasah Shabazz, pays homage to her father and explains why he would be ecstatic over this moment in history.  Elan’s founder and publisher, Moniza Khokhar, takes a look ahead as she highlights how Obama’s international upbringing may positively influence his future policies.  Hear from everyday Muslim Americans as they weigh in on our new President, while an intricate world map pinpoints Obama’s precise relation to the world - and you might just be surprised by a few of these. Back in August of 2008, as I stood on the floor of Invesco Field nearly 15 rows away from the stage at the Democratic National Convention, I watched with utter pride and amazement as Barack Hussein Obama accepted his Party’s nomination.  I was struck not only by his eloquence and elegance, but also by Michelle’s.  Attempting to digest how it all went from a small gymnasium in Harlem to 84,000 people at Invesco Field, I could only think one thing:  how both of their parents, whether they were physically here or not, must be beyond proud. We hope you enjoy our special inauguration issue ... and stay tuned, Elan is just getting started .... As Salaam Alaikum. 2009-01-08T02:35:55-05:00