My Response to Imam Talib Abdur-Rasheed

In responding to Imam Talib Abdur-Rasheed’s comments, leader of Harlem’s Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood (MIB) and Deputy Amir of MANA, regarding my series Why Blackamerican Muslims Don’t stand for Justice, I should like to first of all extend my fullest appreciation for his positive feedback and encouragement. Not long after posting the series, the Imam got in touch with me to express a few of his concerns regarding statements I made about the 1974 shootout at the Ya Sin masjid in Brooklyn, and the role that his MIB predecessor, Imam Tawfiq, played in that gruesome incident.

In fairness to Imam Talib, I said that I would post whatever statement he wanted to make in order to honestly record his position on that blood-stained history. Additionally, the Imam felt that I had failed to recognize a number of national jamaats that in his view, enjoyed a track record of “standing for justice”. Now I would like to share my thoughts on his comments.