Ieasha Prime – Cultural Muslim Icons and Islam in the Lyrics Islam and the Black American

Those three men would have a great influence, not only on African

Americans, but on people and of different religions, nationality

and creed all over the world. I

You will find books testimonies testifying to their greatness of

their life and the truth of their legacy. You will find countless

accounts related about Muhammad Ali and his philanthropy and how

he affected and encouraged so many people. You will find even studies

and books that are just dedicated to the life of El Hajj, Malik

Shabazz and, of course, the works of Imam worth Deen Mohammed, who

would lead the movement of masjid, Muhammad, to have masajid all over

the country, not only were these men responsible for ushering in a

new understanding of Islam as a normative movement, but they would

also be responsible for ushering in a certain culture that would

begin to affect Muslims and non Muslims alike. And now we get into

the section of how African American Muslims and their take on

Islam had a powerful impact on American society. It affected such

cultural icons that went from jazz, as we mentioned, from Yusuf

Islam, even Dizzy Gillespie, all the way into hip hop icons,

whether that be most Deaf known as Yaseen Bey or Eric B and Rakim,

you will find the 80s, the 90s and into the 2000s

riddled with references to Islam and Muslims. As a matter of fact,

one of the most famous women in hip hop lines has several

reference to Islam, and that's Lauren Hill, and several of hers

and her lyrics, she says, Don't forget about the deen the Surat al

most giving references, even Jill Scott gives references to Quran

and several of her lyrics. Why is this? How is it that we have come

so far? How is it that we have come from some from a people who

were originally enslaved, who were originally so oppressed and

considered to be some of the low of society having some of the most

powerful, long, lasting effects on pop and current culture. You would

find it even in the dress throughout 1990s you would find

the koofy being something that was normative wear. You would find

well into our current day, men beginning to rock the beard as a

fashion statement. You would find in multiple cases, women wrapping

their hair as African American Muslim women did, whether it was

in a gala style that was also significant to West Africa, or

whether you will find pictures of even Queen Latifah with the scarf

wrapped over her shoulder, covering her neck. You find the

references in lyrics. You found it in dress, you found in almost

every aspect of culture. It's amazing how Islam had such a

powerful effect on this society. It's amazing how Islam had such an

influence on those who were Muslim and non Muslim alike.