Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States.The Holy Qur’an prohibited racial discriminations 1400 years ago. It states, “O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female; and We have made you into tribes and sub-tribes that you may recognize one another. Verily, the most honorable among you, in the sight of God, is he who is the most righteous among you. Surely, God is All-knowing, All-Aware” (49:14). This verse explains that in the sight of God the only thing that matters is how good we are at fulfilling the rights of mankind and of God. He further says, “Whoso acts righteously, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely grant him a pure life; and We will surely bestow on such their reward according to the best of their works” (16:98). This means that our actions determine our nobility.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) also emphasized the message of equality all his life. He said, “An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. The most honorable among you in the sight of God is the one who is the most righteous.” The message of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is valid for all times.