Local black Muslim leader sounds off

Jamal Muhammad made whites Îcomfortableâ

By Kris Reed
The Metropolitan

Jamal Muhammad, leader of Denverâs chapter of The Nation Of Islam, repudiated the notion that it is a hate group and tried to make white people who attended the lecture feel comfortable.

ãHe tried to make the white people feel comfortable by telling jokes and playing down his organizationâs racist image,ä said one student who wished to remain anonymous.

Muhammad offered his insights at a Student Activities-sponsored lecture Sept. 24 on The Rise Of Islam and African Americans. He also talked about the beliefs of black Muslims.

Muhammadâs lecture, attended by approximately 30 people of several ethnicities, was interrupted several times by laughter. It received almost unanimous applause at the end, even though Muhammad risked offending some.

One asked about the connotations of the Nation Of Islamâs flag ÷ a raised, closed black fist.

ãBlack people are angry and tough,ä Muhammad responded. ãYes, we want power. Weâre tired of you having all the power.

ãIf that scares you, Iâm sorry.

ãWhen I refer to white people as you, Iâm not talking about you specifically. I realize that you may not be racist, but your ancestors did oppress black people,ä he said to white people in the audience.

People who wanted to hear more about the Nation were also invited to the Oct. 1 speech that featured  Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan at McNichols Arena. No one would be shunned at the event, he said.

ãAs long as you pay the $10, I donât care if youâre black, white or green,ä Muhammad said. ãYou wonât be made to feel uncomfortable or awkward. Youâll be treated just like everyone else.ä

Muhammadâs speech outlined the history of Islam in black America and some of the theological tenets underlying the Nation Of Islam, a religion built on ideas from Marcus Garveyâs ãBack to Africaä movement and the traditional Islamic faith.

Muhammad also emphasized his belief that African American people are the chosen people of God.

ãWe believe that Elijah Muhammad was a prophet sent to us by God. Just as Moses led the Jews to the promised land, so the prophet will lead African Americans out of oppression and into the promised land,ä Muhammad said.

ãThere is a scripture in the Koran that says Godâs chosen would come out of 400 years of oppression,ä he said. ãI challenge you to find another group of people anywhere in the world that have suffered the way African Americans have suffered and have met this qualification.ä