Shattering Misconceptions: How One U.S. Muslim Company Works to Remake the World
U.S. Muslim Company launches 1st Islamic greeting card designed for diverse American audience. Aims to promote proper image of Islam in America.
(PRWEB) October 16, 2004 -- “In 2001, I was on Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
While at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, I was asked by a group of Muslims from
several countries what it was like to be Muslim in America. Specifically, they
were curious about whether I was able to practice Islam freely. My response was
perhaps as surprising to them as their question was to me. I said, ‘yes I can
live my religion freely; that there are perhaps as many as 8 million Muslims or
more in the U.S. and that there are mosques and schools all over the country;
that Muslims were basically in all sectors of American life; that Islam is the
fastest growing faith in America and predicted to be the second largest religion
early in this century. Because of these facts, Islam shall play a greater role
in shaping the future of America.’
My fellow hajjis were astounded. And
it is one example of the misconceptions most Muslims probably have about
America, just as many Americans have misconceptions about Islam and what its
presence means here. On the one hand, here I was performing Hajj and dispelling
false notions among fellow Muslims about what it means to be American, while a
few months later, after 9-11, I was addressing fellow Americans about what it
means to be Muslim. Such a position means that American Muslims may be in the
best position to bridge divisions separating East and West. Building that bridge
may be a greater burden upon the descendants of America’s ex-slaves who are now
Muslims and who have seen two sides of America.” --Al Hajj Mukhtar Muhammad
(April 2004 address given at U.S. State Department Visit for Afghan
leaders).
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. October 16, 2004 — On the morning of
September 11, 2001, Mukhtar Muhammad was preparing shipments of Genesis of New
American Leadership: A Muslim Commentary for nationwide distribution. The new
book on Islamic leadership had just rolled off the press. He was about to depart
his office when the phone rang; it was his wife calling. He recalls that day: “I
could tell just by the breaking of her voice as she hurriedly said, get to a TV,
that something serious was occurring. Yet the words she said next blurred all
reason. A plane just crashed into the World Trade Center.”
That was three
years ago. Since then, Muhammad has served at the highest levels of leadership
for the largest identifiable body of Muslims in America, the American Society of
Muslims. He has participated in interfaith discussions, conducted workshops, and
published articles with a special emphasis on strategic leadership and
management issues facing Islamic institutions. Today, as a national speaker and
consultant, he travels to mosques, churches, and colleges to share the true
message of Al-Islam. Of particular note, is an April 2004 address to visiting
governors from Afghanistan. His topic: “Respecting and Trusting the Group
Intellect: Essential Foundations in Islamic and American Democracy” included the
following proclamation: “The Muslim American Dream is deeply rooted in the
American Dream…a dream not just captured in the often referenced ‘life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness,’ but more aptly defined by “one nation under God
indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”
What is it about Mukhtar
Muhammad that places him at the table of dialogue on leadership and Islam in
America? While it’s true he’s not a cleric, he knows something about leadership
and Islam. He’s earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in business. He’s a
company vice president, a former Naval Officer and rare Mustang (a commissioned
officer who crossed over from the enlisted ranks). He was also born a third
generation Muslim of African-American descent. African Americans represent the
largest ethnic body of Muslims in America. Yet perhaps it was Muhammad’s
foresight prior to 9-11 that makes him an articulate and pragmatic voice for
reform today. In Genesis, he wrote: “...In the last twenty years, the greatest
source of damage to the image of Islam has not been the press or entertainment
venues—it has been the failure of the global Muslim leadership to speak out
unequivocally against wrong, even if it be against those who call themselves
Muslim.”
Speaking of foresight, Muhammad points to a man respected by
millions both inside and outside the U.S. He speaks of Imam Wallace Deen
Mohammed as his inspiration and source of insight. “I’m a good listener. I was
13 years old when W. Deen Mohammed became the leader for millions of American
Muslims. The Imam gave us a mission that I never forgot; he said we are to
“remake the world.” W. Deen Mohammed is the son of former Nation of Islam leader
the late Elijah Muhammad. W. Deen Mohammed is credited with rebuilding the
former nationalist organization into a thriving new Muslim community anchored in
the Holy Qur’an.
While rejecting the racist and separatist philosophy of
his father, W. Deen Mohammed protected the young Muslim community from foreign
elements of radicalism and extremism. ‘He taught us to learn Islam for ourselves
and to be free thinkers. He said, ‘you are not Sufi, or Shia, or Black Muslims,
you are Muslims according to the Qur’an, standing for what is right and
forbidding what is wrong; you have responsibilities as citizens to your
neighbors, country and the entire family of man.’
Muhammad asserts, “Some
30 years later, we may be in the best position to correct the misbehavior of
some of our family members (extremist Muslims). That’s what it’s like you know.
It’s almost like you have an errant family member. ”That’s how I liken the
circumstances that affect how Islam is misrepresented by some who call
themselves Muslim. You know the saying you can’t choose your family…well none of
us can choose who takes on the title Muslim anymore than a Christian, Jew or
Hindu may determine who will join their faith. We might have some control over
who attends a church or mosque, but we can’t control religious affiliation. If
someone in your family does something bad, they’re still your family. You just
have to disassociate yourself from the behavior and help the person reform
themselves. That’s what our Prophet said we should do…be a mirror for one
another.
Now the author and publishing executive is using his foresight
and business experience that made Genesis of New American Leadership successful
to create Islamic greeting cards aimed at correcting negative stereotypes and
misconceptions about Al-Islam and Muslims. Using a branding strategy, the FAMACO
Ramadan-Eid Dawah Card was launched Labor Day weekend in Chicago at two national
Islamic conventions. Muhammad states, “Our card is the first Ramadan greeting
designed for the broader American public. Muslims now have a greeting card to
give to their fellow Americans that celebrates Ramadan and simultaneously
provides a true message on what Al-Islam means in America.”
Ramadan, the
ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is celebrated around the world with
fasting, charity, prayers and reading of the entire Qur’an. This year Ramadan is
expected to begin October 15. “We hope believers of other faiths will give these
cards to their Muslim acquaintances as well. Greeting cards are an opportunity
to convey the compassion Muslims are taught to have for all humanity. Our goal
is to publish a product that counteracts the negative images, messages, and
stereotypes bombarding us everyday. These cards will convey the true spirit of
Al-Islam; they include themes like the oneness of humanity, respect for
diversity and importance of interfaith relations. The post card format offers
increased opportunities to showcase the U.S. Postal Service commemorative Eid
stamp honoring the Islamic holidays. The unveiling of the stamp in 2001,
although overshadowed by the events of 9-11, nevertheless sent a clear message
that American Muslim is not an oxymoron. Based on focus groups and convention
response, Muslim consumers have been waiting for a greeting medium that
communicates Islamic values in a format with broader appeal,” relates
Muhammad.
Besides the company’s direct consumer and distributor sales,
Muhammad is working with mosques and national organizations to plan a mass
communications impact with the FAMACO card. Bearing the motto: “Because the
right message about Al-Islam can make a world of difference,” the company’s
literature encourages all Muslims to give a greeting to family, friends,
neighbors, media, other faith-based organizations, and elected officials.
“We want to make a difference, not just as a successful business, but as
a leader in remaking the world into a better place for humanity. Our Prophet
said, ‘the ink of the scholar is more valuable than the blood of the martyr.’ We
believe words make people. Our mission is not on the battlefield with weapons,
but in the realm of ideas. We are using words to affect hearts and minds,”
observes Muhammad.
FAMACO Publishers is a privately held printing,
publishing, and consulting company founded in 1996. In addition to its Qalam
Books imprint and greeting card line, the company provides services to
individuals, public agencies, non-profit entities and businesses.
For
more information or to request a Media/Press Kit, please contact:
FAMACO
Publishers
P.O. Box 440665, Jacksonville, FL 32244-0665
Phone: (904)
434-5901 • Fax (904) 777-5901
http://members.aol.com/famapub/Greetings.htm
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/10/prweb163762.htm