Muslim diversity celebrated
By Afaf Mathlouthi
“We should be thankful not just for the Muslims who fought for their rights but for everyone in the history because (otherwise) we would not be where we are today,” said Burheem Bakr, former president of Cleveland State’s Muslim Student Association.
“One day an oppressed group of people will not be oppressed any more, but would be a dominant group,” Bakr added during a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King on Feb. 25 at Case Western Reserve University.
Bakr spoke on “Race in Islam” at the annual gathering to honor the contributions of black Muslims to Islam.
In the 1500s, 10 percent of the slaves from Africa were Muslims, according to Bakr. Bakr’s main message for the Muslim community was to appreciate its history.
He said African-Americans designed and built their first mosque, Masjid Bilal located at 7401 Euclid Ave., in Cleveland in 1981.
“Race is very important and Islam is about equality,” said Ekram Jamal, a member of the Cleveland State MSA.
Many non-Muslims also attended the event.