World Community of Islam in the West
Definition
The World Community of Islam in the West refers to a reformist group originally part of the Black Muslim movement, led by Warith Deen Muhammad, that sought to ameliorate racial supremacism and nationalism in favor of aligning more closely with mainstream Sunni Islam. In 1976, this movement marked a significant shift toward increasing both national and international awareness of Islamic principles and practices. By 1978, the group adopted a new nomenclature, the American Muslim Mission, reflecting its broader, more inclusive religious goals.
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: مجتمع الإسلام العالمي في الغرب (Mujtama’ al-Islam al-‘Alami fi al-Gharb)
- Turkish: Batı’daki İslam Dünyası Topluluğu
Historical Background
In the early 20th century, the Nation of Islam (NOI) emerged in the United States as a socio-religious movement advocating for the empowerment and self-sufficiency of African-Americans against systemic racial oppression. However, the movement was often criticized for its elements of racial supremacism and detachment from mainstream Islamic teachings.
Warith Deen Muhammad, son of NOI leader Elijah Muhammad, succeeded his father in 1975. He initiated profound theological and organizational reforms, steering his followers towards mainstream Sunni Islam’s practices and beliefs. This led to the formation of the World Community of Islam in the West in 1976, distancing the group from the ideals of racial nationalism and solidifying their spiritual commitments within the larger Islamic Ummah.
Reform Objectives
- Integration with Mainstream Islam: Simultaneously affirming pieces of their cultural identity while embracing globally recognized Sunni Islamic teachings.
- International Awareness: Promoting a correct understanding of Islam on a global scale, advocating for unity across Muslim communities worldwide.
- Community Development: Enhancing the socio-economic conditions of followers through religious guidance rooted in the universal principles of Islam.
Name Transition
In 1978, to better reflect its mission and outreach strategy, the group was renamed the American Muslim Mission. This change signified its commitment to inclusivity and alignment with broader Islamic doctrines, ultimately aiming to transcend the confines of race and nationality.
Recommended Books for Further Studies
- American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences by the International Institute of Islamic Thought - Various Issues.
- Warith Deen Muhammad: Profile of a Leader by Martha Lee, published by the Religious Studies Review.
- Islam in America by Mehdi Bozorgmehr and Philip Kasinitz.
- African American Islam by Aminah Beverly McCloud.
Takeaways
- The transition from the Nation of Islam (NOI) to the World Community of Islam in the West and finally to the American Muslim Mission represents a significant ideological and religious shift towards mainstream Sunni Islam.
- The movement under Warith Deen Muhammad focused on fostering unity, advocating for socio-economic improvements, and dispelling misconceptions about Islam.
- Their efforts played a pivotal role in integrating African-American Muslims into the global Islamic community.
Conclusion
The World Community of Islam in the West, later renamed the American Muslim Mission, exemplifies a transformative journey of a religious community towards broader inclusivity and global unity. This reform movement, under the leadership of Warith Deen Muhammad, marks an important chapter in both American Islamic history and the larger narrative of Islam’s adaptation and integration across diverse cultures.
