Islam (Malcolm X)
QUESTION 1
Malcolm x, born Malcolm little, was a black American activist who was introduced to Muslim religion while in prison. It was seen as an alternative to free both the prison of the mind and the physical confinement of the prison walls. When he was released from prison, he became a Muslim preacher for the Muslim people. The Muslims built a mosque and their congregation grew under Malcolm x .Malcolm x was also an activist who challenges the police department which takes one of the members of the Black Muslim community and beats him up. He fights for equal rights and advocates for justice. He rose up the ranks and became equal to Elijah Muhammad.After traveling to Mecca and seeing different races in the Muslims religion, he came back home and stops advocating for the black community to be separated from the white community in America and forms the organization for African American unity (OAAU) Malcolm is killed at a gathering where he had planned to preach. Four daughters and a wife survive him (PBS,2014).
Question2
Muslim is said to have its origin in Mecca, Arabia .The Muslims use the Koran and the Sunnah .The religion is based on praying five times daily, generosity and fasting to Mecca once. The moors were believed to be the earliest Muslims in America. They came from the Senegal and Gambia region of Africa. When they were evicted from Spain, they came through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.Also, 10-15% of African slaves, though some were converted to Christianity, most of them retained their Muslim religion and spread it throughout America .A good example of this is seen in Georgia coast where African Americans maintained Muslim up to the 20th century. Immigrants who came looking for jobs in America are from Syria and other Muslim-dominated nations in 1878 and 1924 (BBC, 2009).
Question3
The film is based on Malcolm x ,an African American who was a Muslim in an African American Muslim community .This concurs with the reading as the reading sites that the origin of the Muslim community in America is black hence does not contradict the film and goes further to prove the point.
Question4
The Muslim religion has been closely related to the Christian religion due to common characteristics such as Abraham, Moses and Jesus. The two religions also believe in the existence of one god.
Question5
Christians believe in Jesus Christ who has been seen as the son of God who came to the world to bring salvation.
Question6
The majority of Americans are protestant Christians. They form the majority of the population and they are involved in the political processes and legislation. They also influence the culture of the country through their Christian practices.
Reference
PBS. (2014) Islam in America http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/feature/islam-in-america/
BBC.(2014)IslamataGlancehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/ataglance/glance.shtml
