Hi... My name is Muhammad and I am NOT from Africa and I'm not in the Nation!

So the other day my coworker (who is from Bangladesh) had an "Ah-Ha" moment when she realized that my name was Muhammad Salaam. She asked me how did I get my name. I give my usual answer when people asked.... "My parents gave it to me." Her response, instead of asking was I Muslim was "Why did they name you that? That's a Bangladesh name and you don't look like you're from Bangladesh".

RED LIGHT!

Now at this point I became annoyed and began having sidebar conversations in my head as to avoid becoming the "Angry Black Man." After recollecting my thoughts I intellectually entertained her ignorance and took the liberty of freeing her from her mental darkness.

GREEN LIGHT!!

First of all, Muhammad is the most popular name in the WORLD. There are people of all nationalities, races, colors, and ages with the name Muhammad. Secondly.... Muhammad is NOT a Bangladesh name. It is Arabic. A language spoken in many countries throughout Europe, Africa, Asia... as well as North and South America. Her response was "So are you from Africa?" and I responded "You appear Middle Eastern... Are you from Saudi Arabia?" And she froze in silence. I then showed her how close minded and inappropriate that statement was. I am from America.. My parents were born and raised in Alabama!!! Still confused as to how I got the name Muhammad, she said "oh so you changed your name when you became Muslim". Growing increasingly perturbed and having difficulty keeping the "Angry Black Man" caged, I firmly (almost yelling) said no. I was born a Muslim, I am still Muslim, and pray that I die as a Muslim. As if this wasn't enough... she kept asking me questions and asked me Was I a REAL Muslim or one of those Nation of Islam Muslims.

RED LIGHT!!!

The Angry Black Man in me was ready to cuss her OUT!! How in the hell do you have the right or ability to tell if someone is a "real Muslim" or not. After educating her on Islam in America she finally realized that I was annoyed with her and decided to leave me alone.

GREEN LIGHT!!!

As I've gotten older I've gained a greater appreciation for Islam. Living in a non Islamic country enhances the trials and tribulations and tests and challenges Allah (swt) puts us through. I often wonder if I grew up in a Muslim country, would I really have an appreciation for not eating pork and asking for "No bacon"... instead of just assuming and going about my daily routine "normally." Would I have a real appreciation for going to Jummah? Not because Allah has mandated it, but because I had to I had to clear my daily schedule and make daily intentions to go to Jummah. Not go just because "everybody else does" and the city shuts down. Would I have a greater appreciation for sisters who take the personal stance to embrace their hijab and own it as their sense of identity, instead of wearing it blindly because of what society or what their husbands say.

Honestly... I don't think so. But only Allah knows best. As for me....I am proud to be Muslim... A Black Muslim... A Muslim Black Man living in America

Salaams

Introducing the M.B.M....

Okay.... So I decided to do a completely separate blog focusing on conceptions, thoughts, trials and tribulations of not only being a Black man in America, but being a M.B.M., Muslim Black Man in America. Too often, I find myself dealing with conflicts of being a Muslim and still maintain my identity as a Black man.

I talk to my friends all the time about how I often feel that the African American Muslim experience is neglected from society and the media. Whenever there is an "interfaith" panel or rountable discussion the Muslim presence is always someone from the Middle East. Now I am in no way bashing my Muslim brothers and sisters from other places, but frankly... I dont always relate. This is where my blog begins. I often have so many rambling going on in my head and very few people I can talk to.

In case anyone has any ill misconceptions already.. This is not a Nation of Islam soapbox. Though I respect the Nation and its history and presence, I am not a member of the N.O.I., but therewill be a discussion down the road.

Sit back and buckle up because its gonna be a long bumpy journey.