On October 5th, I had the honor of attending a remarkable program in Houston organized by Imam Qasim Khan, a respected African American imam who has been doing transformative work in his community. Imam Qasim has established a masjid in one of Houston’s roughest areas, and as a result, the entire neighborhood has begun to change for the better. It’s no surprise, given that he is a student of Imam Siraj Wahhaj, who modeled this approach decades ago when he helped revive a struggling neighborhood in Brooklyn through faith, service, and persistence.
The event, held at the University of Houston in partnership with the Muslim Students Association, was dedicated to honoring African American Muslims who have shown consistency in Islamic activism and community leadership. The list of honorees included individuals like Imam Siraj Wahhaj, Mauri Saalakhan, Imam Darnell Karim, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Ayesha K. Mustafa, Native Deen, Preacher Moss, and others. The evening was skillfully hosted by Imam Zaid Shakir, with a powerful keynote address delivered by Dr. Sherman Jackson.
Dr. Jackson’s message was both timely and inspiring. He spoke about breaking down the ideological, social, and cultural barriers that prevent many Americans from seeing Islam as a natural and welcoming faith. His words served as a reminder that the work of dawah and social transformation begins with making Islam feel accessible and relevant to the society we live in.
Imam Zaid, as always, brought his unique blend of wisdom, humor, and spiritual insight to the stage. May Allah continue to bless him because throughout all the years I’ve seen him at events across the country, I can hardly recall a time when his wife wasn’t right there by his side. Omar Regan also delivered one of the best comedy performances I’ve seen from him, offering laughter that deepened the sense of unity and joy in the room.
The evening wasn’t just about speeches and awards. It was alive with genuine connection. There were so many organic conversations and moments of networking that reflected the strength and beauty of our community. I had the chance to reconnect with my childhood friend from Kansas City, Hanif Khalil, and we discussed collaborating with Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf to bring his powerful message of resilience to universities across the country. I also spent time with Imam Darnell Karim, whose dedication to studying Arabic dates back to 1948. At 89 years old, he carries the energy and light of someone twenty years younger. He is a living example of the blessings that come from a lifelong relationship with the Qur’an.
Personally, the event gave me space to wear many of my hats. I was there representing MANA, networking on behalf of the Association of Muslim Chaplains (AMC), and performing with Native Deen as we received our award. But beyond all of that, I was simply there as myself. I was so grateful to be among a gathering of people who have remained steadfast in their service and commitment to Islam.
Mauri Saalakhan, one of the honorees, reminded us of the ongoing struggles for justice, including the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who remains imprisoned in Texas. In our conversation, we discussed the importance of American Muslims to organize themselves and demonstrate our ability to establish justice here by addressing cases like Imam Jamil Al-Amin and Dr. Siddiqui, if we hope to stand for justice abroad in places like Palestine and Sudan.
I left Houston inspired and deeply reminded of MANA’s mission: to grow and maintain a network of individuals and institutions dedicated to strengthening the African American Muslim community. Our collective experiences have uniquely positioned us to play a vital role in helping the broader Ummah pursue justice and dignity, both in America and around the world.
May Allah guide us to live up to that potential.
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Joshua Salaam has strong roots in the American Muslim community. He started attending national Muslim youth camps at the age of 12 and continued as a participant, counselor and speaker for over 30 years. Joshua entered the U.S. Air Force in 1995 and served as a Police officer for four years. He was a key contributor in establishing Friday prayer services on base for Muslim military members and went on to serve as an Imam in Goldsboro, NC for several years. After the military, Joshua immersed himself in community activism. He managed the Civil Rights department for the Council on American-Islamic Relations from 2000-2004 and helped oversee a Baltimore Muslim community and neighborhood development project from 2004-2007. Before starting at Duke in July 2018, Joshua worked with youth and families for 11 years at one of the largest Muslim communities in America. His diverse background gives him a unique perspective on many issues and helps him connect with students. He holds a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies and a Doctorate of Ministry from Hartford Seminary. He is the current President of MANA’s Board of Directors.
One Response
Thank you for the beautiful article about the recognition ceremony in Houston. It was inspiring, and informative. It shows that amazing work is always being done, to move us in the right direction, insha’ullah.
It also reminds us of the work which needs to be done, and to remember are oppressed brethren.