communities in the United States, Islam is foreign to most Americans who are

familiar with Christianity or Judaism. Because most Americans know little or

nothing about Islam, they have many misconceptions about Muslim beliefs and

rituals. The negative image many people in the United States and Europe have

of Islam and the Muslim world has a long history. Many have judged Islam

without making an effort to consider this religious tradition on its own terms,

without bothering to become acquainted with its teaching and the ways in which

Muslims practice their faith.

Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is a monotheistic religion, based

on the belief in one God.. This religion was proclaimed by the Prophet Muhammad

in Arabia, in the 7th century A.D. The term Islam virtually means "surrender".

Within Islam the believer (called a Muslim) use the Arabic word for God, Allah,

inevitable their Islamic identity. During the nineteenth century America

the Khawarij sect added a sixth pillar, the jihad, which, however, was not

rights and the consumption of wholesome food and the leading of a healthy

these early communities were cut off from their heritage, families, and

are seen as an individual in her own right, with the right too own and dispose

Muslims. In the early part of this century black communities started to take

to Medina in AD 622, it was during this time that his preaching was accepted and

of Resurrection in an unorthodox sense as the revival of oppressed ("dead")

was in large a black separatist and social-protest movement. Their leader,

From the very beginning of Islam, Muhammad had indoctrinated a sense of

of five daily congregational prayers, which may, however be offered individually

every Muslim once in a lifetime -- "provided one can afford it" and provided a

Some common words found in the essay are:
God Muhammad, America Muslims, Medina AD, Prophet Muhammad, Elijah Muhammad, Islam Muslim, Ramadan Qu'ran, Pillars Islam, North America, Muslims Muslims, prophet muhammad, elijah muhammad, sunni islam, black muslims, nation islam, islamic faith, century black, arab muslims, muslims sunni, month ramadan,
Approximate Word count = 3171
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)