MLK Jr. and Islam’s concept of brotherhood/sisterhood

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a celebration held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the amazing life of Martin Luther King Jr., an important African American civil rights leader. He is most recognized for his campaigns to cease racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States. His famous address was the "I Have a Dream" speech. He was an advocate of peaceful protest and became the youngest man to be given the Nobel Peace Prize. Shortly after Martin Luther King passed away, a campaign was started for his birthday to become a holiday to honor him. After the first bill was introduced, trade unions led the campaign for the celebration. It was endorsed in 1976. Support from the musician Stevie Wonder with his "Happy Birthday" and a petition with six million signatures, the bill became law in 1983. Martin Luther King Day was first commemorated in 1986, though it was not observed in all states until 2000. Now we know the story, let’s see how Islam relates to this, by looking at the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be on him), and a freed African slave, Bilal.
Bilal was held in high value by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). When the first mosque of Islam was built, Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) requested Bilal to give the call to Prayer. Islam’s idea of universality and equality is wonderfully witnessed during the annual pilgrimage. No other religious practice equals the experience of brotherhood as is felt during the annual pilgrimage. When one sees all men dressed in two white pieces of cloths, unmindful of social status, economic status, or the color of the skin, one is forced to believe that God sees no white or black or brown as differences. In His eyes all men/women are equal. They differ only in their level of righteousness and nearness to Him.
The month of February is dedicated to the contributions of African Americans and their place in US history. Two prominent members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who are African Americans are Yusef Lateef (1920-2013) and Mahershela Ali. Yusef Lateef was a very famous Jazz musician and Mahershela Ali is a two-time Oscar winner movie actor. When they learned about Islam and the true God, they spread the message of peace, love, and harmony.
Many verses of the Holy Quran and sayings of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) teach us that we are all equal as human beings. Holy Quran states:
“And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colors” (30:23).
“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 Allah, is he who is the most righteous among you. Surely, God is All-knowing, All Aware” (49:14).
During his farewell sermon, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “All of you are equal. All men, whatever nation or tribe they belong to, and whatever station in life they may hold, are equal…an Arab possesses no superiority over the non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab over an Arab.”
Love for all, hatred for none.

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Sajeela A.

Age 10