After reading an article about Sharia courts for British Muslims I wanted to write about that issue today and voice my support for a formalizing of Sharia family courts in America and the need for Muslims to stay out of non-Muslim family and civil courts as much as possible.
However, after seeing the video of al-Qaeda number two man Ayman Zawahiri calling President-elect Barack Obama a “house negro”, deriding America, and then praising Malcolm X I feel I must address this issue today .
Tariq, the Woyingi Blogger, and others have already analyzed the absurdity of the accusation of Zawahiri. That first off there is nothing in the record of Obama to indicate the validity of such an accusation. He married a black woman, worked as a community organizer in the black community of the South Side of Chicago, and had the support of about 95% of black voters in the election. Therefore, unless Zawahiri, an Egyptian Arab, knows something that 95% of black people in America don’t he needs to hold this accusation to himself.
The bringing of Malcolm X into the conversation is laughable. Ok, we all know about the famous lines of Malcolm about the house Negro and the field Negro, etc. This was an obvious attempt to reach out to the black community in America; but I doubt Ayman has more clout than Barack on the Steve Harvey Show, the 5th Ward of Houston or the West Side of Chicago.
Zawahiri is not the first non-black to use this type of racial language to denigrate an African-American who is not meeting their level of ideological purity or radicalism. This has long been a tactic of leftists in American who attack any African-American who disagrees with them as being a Tom. The American-Left has a view that all African-Americans should be left-wing radicals, or stuck in the mode of the 1960’s, and if they’re not they are committing racial treason. The problem with this critique from the white left (and the people of color they brainwash) is of course that they are white and it is not up to them to decide how a black person should be black or what the “correct” political position is. A black Republican like JC Watts or Robert George is blacker than they will ever be no matter how many books they read on race; because there is more to the black experience than political identification. The white leftist may be able to quote Bobby Seal; but can they quote Bobby Womack?
Zawahiri is not the first to call Obama a house Negro. Ralph Nader, the sage of the die-hard Looney-left in America, who is otherwise regarded as a self-serving crackpot, asked on national TV if Obama was going to be a “house negro”. The websites of the far-left are also full of this kind of chatter. The question I have is how does an Arab from Egypt living in Pakistan or Afghanistan pick up this leftist language? The answer almost certainly is that this language comes from the American-Muslim brother Adam Gadahn aka/ Azzam al-Amrikee (who I have written about before regarding a similar statement issued by Zawahiri).
Gadhan, like a lot of white-Muslim converts (including friends of mine like Ismail Royer) were leftists before entering Islam. Unlike Ismail though; Gadhan has found a way to bring leftist notions into the Islamic Movement and influence the statements of al-Qaeda. The views of leftists and Islamists merge for Gadhan when he sees that any African-American not hell-bent on the destruction of America is a Tom and that Malcolm would not be pleased with Obama.
But Gadhan, like the white leftists, is not black and he is guilty of the same kind of forced radical expectations the left is. Zawahiri more than likely sees this as a pure propaganda move. I doubt he is in all sincerity interested in the lives of African-Americans or their political allegiances.
Next week the Muslim Alliance of North America, the organization that in its two years has become the leading umbrella organization for African-American Muslims, will hold their convention in Philly and I highly doubt this statement by Zawahiri will even get mentioned.
While on African-American Muslims
I was not blogging at the time when Muslim comedian Azhar Usman issued an apology after the passing of WD Mohammed to the African-American Muslim community for the ill-treatment WD received from immigrant Muslims and the poor relations in general between the communities. Some of what he said was correct; but what he must have missed was the fact that the fiercest and most vocal critics of WD and his community were other African-American Sunni Muslims. In 2000 when Imam Mohammed (may Allah have mercy on him) was brought in by the Arab-dominated shura of DC as a goodwill token to African-American Muslims it was fellow African-American Muslims who became enraged by the decision. As for myself, I always respected Imam Mohammed and his contribution to the Muslim community in this country; but the fact remains his biggest detractors were within his own community. Most immigrant Muslims and their offspring either did not care about WD or they didn’t even know who he was. Now, as for the opinions of white Muslims, who Azhar disrespected in his writing, I cannot speak for; but white Muslims are so few percentage-wise It is hardly consequential.
22 responses so far ↓
Yusuf Smith // November 20, 2008 at 6:48 pm |
As-Salaamu ‘alaikum,
Therefore, unless Zawahiri, an Egyptian Arab
And an upper-class white Egyptian Arab at that (he was a medical doctor before he was a terrorist). If he was a black Sudanese Arab, or even an Asian-looking Yemeni one, this kind of talk might have some credibility.
Jim // November 20, 2008 at 8:55 pm |
Salaam, Umar, with all due respect …
The American-Left has a view that all African-Americans should be left-wing radicals, or stuck in the mode of the 1960’s, and if they’re not they are committing racial treason. The problem with this critique from the white left (and the people of color they brainwash) is of course that they are white and it is not up to them to decide how a black person should be black or what the “correct” political position is.
This is crap. I know many on the white left who have no such views of African Americans.
I have no problems going after al-Zawhari for his BS, but this is such an overgeneralization. Criticizing JC Watts for “tomming out” should not only be limited to black accusers and there is a big difference for calling a Republican sellout a sellout and a terrorist saying what he did about Barack.
Khalil Al-Puerto Rikani // November 21, 2008 at 1:30 am |
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
I believe I read somewhere that Al-Zhawahi used to be a leftist before he got with these takfiri groups. He is in actuality the main “intellectual” (if you can call him that) in the Al-Qaida group. I don’t know why he is trying to invoke El-Hajj Malik Ash-Shabazz in this whole discussion. The fact of the matter is that he hate our country no matter what. Unless it is 100% Islamic it is not good for him. The whole world is kafir in his eyes.
Khalil
Umar Lee aka/ Double H // November 21, 2008 at 7:47 am |
Jim,
WE have to make a distinction between liberal progressives ( mainstream Democrats) and hard-line leftists whoa re members of third parties, socialist organizations, campus organizations, etc. You are right that mainstream liberals do not make such accusations; but this type of language is very common on the white far-left. As an example, in St. Louis, there many on the far left accusing former Mayor freeman Bosley of being a Tom when he had the support of the overwhelming majority of black voters
TawheedNotShirk // November 21, 2008 at 2:11 pm |
I pray that Allah destroys you for attacking the mujahideen and puts you in hellfire. May Allah bring death, destruction, grief and misery to those who speak against the mujahideen
Let Malcolm Speak For Himself | Global Intifada // November 21, 2008 at 2:38 pm |
[...] Muslim bloggers (Mujahideen Ryder, Umar Lee) have argued that Malcolm X would have voted for Barack Obama simply because he was a Black man. [...]
Khalil Al-Puerto Rikani // November 21, 2008 at 5:45 pm |
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
Double H:
I think you need to also make a distinction between mainstream liberal (Democrats) and grassroots liberals (progressives). It is the mainstream folks who have been following the lead of the right wing since the late 70s. I think you painting a broad brush when you say “third parties, socialist organiszations, campus organizations, etc.” First of all what is wrong with third parties and why are you so anti-third parties? If this is a democracy why are we the only major country that has only two main parties? Where is the diversity in that? About campus organizations, they have historically help to bring about much change on college campuses. They helped to get rights for all students and for there to be ethnic studies departments (Black, Puerto Rican, and Chicano Studies Departments). It was former-President Bill Clinton who came into power by being being neo-liberal (i.e, not so liberal but right of center). The reason Sen Barack Obama won the primary is because the base of the Dem Party came out (i.e. progessive, grassroots liberals). It is Sen Hillary Clinton who represented the “moderate liberals” (conservative Democrats).
On Ayman al-Zawahiri Calling Obama a “House Negro” // November 22, 2008 at 6:27 am |
[...] On Ayman al-Zawahiri Calling Obama a “House Negro” After reading an article about Sharia courts for British Muslims I wanted to write about that issue today and voice my support for a formalizing of Sharia family courts in America and the need for Muslims to stay out of non-Muslim family and civil courts as much as possible. However, [...]
On Ayman al-Zawahiri Calling Obama a “House Negro” at Hillary Clinton On Best Political Blogs // November 22, 2008 at 7:09 am |
[...] On Ayman al-Zawahiri Calling Obama a “House Negro” After reading an article about Sharia courts for British Muslims I wanted to write about that issue today and voice my support for a formalizing of Sharia family courts in America and the need for Muslims to stay out of non-Muslim family and civil courts as much as possible. However, [...]
naeem // November 22, 2008 at 9:25 am |
AA- Umar,
“As an example, in St. Louis, there many on the far left accusing former Mayor freeman Bosley of being a Tom when he had the support of the overwhelming majority of black voters”
Not sure what you’re implying here…so, if a leader has the support of the overwhelming majority, he cannot be a Tom? What does one have to do with the other? Weren’t many popular leaders of the civil rights movement considered uncle tom’s?
Not making a judgment, just questioning your logic…
Umar Lee aka/ Double H // November 22, 2008 at 12:05 pm |
Brother Naeem,
My logic is that it is highly inappropriate for groups of white leftists to attack a black leader as a Tom who has the support of the vast majority of black people. They operate out of the assumption of arrogance that through their education and reading they are better suited to know who should lead black people than black people themselves.
Khalil,
Student radicals in the 60’s and 70’s did bring a lot of changes to campuses. Many of those changes were at face good such as the various ethnic studies departments. Other things that were brought o campuses were not so good such as “Gender Studies” and “Women’s Studies” which basically teaches that masculinity is evil. Even most of the ethnic studies departments on most campuses are dominated by the white-left. So you have young African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans seeking to learn about their people and culture and they get some knowledge but it more than likely will come from a curriculum designed and taught by white people. Many times, though not always, this will lead to a conflict. One thing these groups did bring that was good that I do not think anyone can dispute is a greater diversity in the faculty of many campuses and at least the recognition of diversity.
Regarding mainstream and progressives Democrats Khalil you are partially correct. The white urban liberal latte and tofu set did heavily support Obama; but you will find that many, if not most, of these progressives define there progressiveness by and large by their support for the environment, gay rights, legalized abortion, socialism, urbanism, feminism, gun control, and multi-culturlaism and not economic and class issues. There geographic base also happens to be gentrified urban neighborhoods that are uprooting communities of color and the poor.
The moderate and conservative Democrats that supported Hillary during the primaries were overwhelmingly white and Latino and their connection to the Democratic Party is more about jobs, the rights of workers, health-care, and other pocketbook issues. This puts the majority of conservative white democrats, union members, Latinos, and Muslims philosophically on the same boat which is not the “progressive” boat of urban white liberals. The tragedy is, that in my opinion, these people who agree on the issues were divided by race.
Third parties are marginal and Muslims are marginal and once you are past the college age it is time to think about politics as it is and not how you would like it to be. A mature understanding about politics leads one to believes that there are no saints in politics, everyone is corrupt and your heroes in the history books were also tainted by corruption, and the nature of politics, is organizing, leveraging, deal-making, dolling out money, and negotiations in smoke-filled rooms at the wee hours of the night and I want to sit in that smoke filled room not with some third party member who is ideologically pure to some kafir concepts; but with someone who can deliver on money, jobs, or whatever the needs of our community may be at the time.
Jami // November 22, 2008 at 4:49 pm |
Ayaman is pale but, like an African, has fuzzy hair. Calling him a ‘white man’ does not help.
We know Malcolm X’s hajj was assisted by the Zawhiri clan (a Misryy-Hijazii clan) and surly he has right to voice an interest in the world of African-America since his family were tied to the man who raised much of their social conscience?
As too the brother Obama, it maybe too early too judge. The left and al Qaiyyida perhaps see his Chief of Staff (Raul Emmanuel) and wonder how a man who served in the Israeli army and a person of dual citizenship may be neutral on the very issues which have a habit of destroying the reputation of America and Americans.
His Federal Reserve appointments seem to suggest Paulson & co are still in the driving seat, and the Wall Steet outfit must like the playfulness of the word ‘change’.
Mr Obama’s brother lives in a slum in Kenya and some on the left over here, paying attention to how the black middle class operate these days, see dark, hungry collaborators serving self-interest , as if they were Jamaican Marroons doing deals with the British to remain ‘free.’
He can’t change much; and the lobbies and corporations he works for have been successful in pretending he can. You are living in a Weimar Republic where there is a democracy without democrats. Shame is, you have no free cops to crush the infamous lie; unless Muslims see al qaiida as a Arab free Corps and Ayman Zawhir as heterosexual version of Ernst Roem.
Naeem // November 22, 2008 at 8:45 pm |
AA- Umar,
“They operate out of the assumption of arrogance that through their education and reading they are better suited to know who should lead black people than black people themselves.”
I agree that its arrogant to assume to *know better* than the ruled people themselves, but why is it arrogant to offer an opinion on the matter. After all, we do it so casually when dealing with international politics (eg. Yaser Arafat was a sellout, Musharraf was Bush’s puppy dog, Bush is an idiot, etc.).
So why is it wrong to criticize a black leader as being a pawn or a sellout or whatever the criticism may be?
Abraham Al-Haneef // November 23, 2008 at 4:45 am |
As-salaamu-alaikum,
Our Prophet/example for human behavior, thinking and evolution was a man of genourous balance when it came to changing the society. We as a rejuvinated qu’ranic minded community in a position to benefit all are still at a greatly immature state in our emotional and spiritual inteligence/ sensetivities. This is true for all enclaves of the “muslim” world. Alot of us are in a worse mental state to deal with our personal/community problems than our so called “enemies”. Hence this idiot putting out this lame manipulative trickery about President Obama. A teacher I greatly respect once told me that Prophet Muhammed was a human being of great wisdom, balance, and societal strategy, and that if someone is calling the masses to rile up and be “revolutionaries” , and combatants before the proper time and place, they work for the same regime or agenda you are concerned about. Beware of “qur’anic” wolves in believers clothing!
koranist // November 23, 2008 at 3:16 pm |
Why doesn’t anyone talk about the picture Ayman had on the LEFT. Lets face it, Obama is an Aipac man. Hillary and Rahm will be calling the shots. I hope I am wrong but thats what he did in the senate.
YusefC // November 23, 2008 at 8:07 pm |
Something tells me we should go on the content of his character. Lets see what he does with his power, and who, if anybody, he favours. I’m sorry to say I don’t think there will be any surprises.
bashir // November 24, 2008 at 8:02 pm |
What a pathetic response, “Abraham”. Many of these blind followers of Obama from the Muslims, need a lesson in al-Walaa wal Baraa’.
American Jihadist Umar Lee calls for Sharia law « LGF II: Charles and Killgore Free Footballs // November 25, 2008 at 5:44 am |
[...] After reading an article about Sharia courts for British Muslims I wanted to write about that issue … [...]
Abraham Al-Haneef // November 25, 2008 at 6:04 am |
Shalom Aleichom Mr. “Good news/glad tidings”, the fact that “obama” exists in the position he is in and the standard of global conciousness and renewed conversation is much bigger than President Obama himself. Everyone on the planet Earth needs to ask how they,their spiritual state and thinking, and the habits and positions they have carried from their former generations have contributed to their personal and communal state. All excuses are off. Allah only takes us out of of our original state if we alter our inner life. Allahs hand is on those who call to all that is universaly known to be beneficial to human growth and command to abstain from all habits that bring down the human excellence. Goodness is on the rise. Dont be scurred
Khalil Al-Puerto Rikani // November 26, 2008 at 1:58 am |
Double H:
You make a good point about the women departments. But about the ethnic studies department, I don’t thing this is true. Almost of the African-American and Latino departments I know of are all filled with the respective ethnic group. I have never heard of a white liberal teaching in an African-American department. Maybe that is the case in St. Louis, but not out in New York. Also, sometimes classes are cross listed with out departments. Therefore, a class that is really a sociology class would be cross-listed as African-American studies. So maybe you are talking about these types of classes.
About the types of progressives you speak of this is true that they supported Obama but the real distinction in the primary was not about whether Obama was for gay-rights (and other such issues) or not since Clinton hold the same positions. On the issue these two are very similiar. What is essentially came down to was about the war. Besides that it was about style and other type issues.
About third parties, I don’t know how it is in St. Louis but in New York you can be on two or three parties choice (cross endorsed). There are many third parties in New York. One such pary is the Workers Parties. Most of the candidates were cross-endorsed by the Democrats. So in New York you can be on the Democrats ticket while helping out and working with/for a third party.
Politics isn’t so black and white (Democrat versus Republican) in where I am from.
Khalil
Abu Nadhira // November 27, 2008 at 5:48 am |
We as muslims should be careful of what we say about other muslims. Which of us even know if the so called “number 2 man” actually said what the lying, slanderous american media said he did. Was that really even him.
I don’t know about a house negro but Obama is a Kafir. He is undoubtedly supportive of the murderous, terrorist state of Isreal.
With that said he is probably not the worst of them and we will have to wait and see what if anything good comes from his presidency. And when I say “good” I mean good for the muslims of the world, not the black nor the white but the muslims. We brothers and sisters have to stay focused.
Sadman // December 6, 2008 at 11:39 pm |
i think zawahiri wasn’t bringing the race issue, rather he was pointing at the servility of US governments, in the recent past and present as well, to the zionist machine. i base my comment on the actual statement made by zawahiri, and i sincerely hope br umar and everyone else commenting on this post has not made judgement based on the media interpretations of the statement instead of hearing it from the source
i have no clue of the politics of left and right, and their political expressions, but who cares if adam gadahn brought that lingo into alqaida, how it is expressed is less important than what is being expressed. yah may be our ‘takfiri’ brothers aren’t that PR savvy, or they are just trying to speak a language that americans and in general westerns can relate to. maybe….just a thought.
someone commented using the word ‘takfiri’ – who is more takfiri, someone who speaks out against tyranny or someone who claims that all of those who speak out against tyranny (or unjust rulers) is a kaafir and their blood is halal for muslims – this is something i wanna know, not something i am trying to force the validity of, so an answer is really welcome.
i thot judgements are supposed to be made after listening to all sides of the debate, and avoiding bias should be on everyone’s minds., may be not.
wa salaam