AhlulBayt News Agency: A new organization, the Black Muslim Leadership Council (BMLC), has been launched in Philadelphia to represent the interests and concerns of Black American Muslims on a national scale.
The BMLC claims to be the first group of its kind in the country, led by Black American Muslims themselves.
The founder of the BMLC, Salima Suswell, said that the group aims to create an institution that will reflect the diversity and uniqueness of the Black American Muslim community, which is one of the largest in Philadelphia, WHYY News reported on Friday.
She also said that the group will initially focus on Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia, where there are significant Black Muslim populations.
Suswell said that Black Muslims have been historically marginalized and ignored by those in power, despite being the largest segment of the American Muslim community and having a long legacy of social and political activism. She said that the BMLC will work in coalition with other groups to ensure that their voices are heard and respected.
The BMLC has the support of several prominent Black Muslim figures in Philadelphia, such as State Senator Sharif Street, Building Trades Council leader Ryan Boyer, former Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson, activist Bilal Qayyum, Sheriff Rochelle Bilal and Councilmember Curtis Jones.
Boyer said that the BMLC will help to change the narrative of what Islam and Muslims look like in America, especially in Philadelphia, and to advocate for the needs of Black Muslims on a national level. He said that the group will have a unified civic voice and a positive impact on the society.
The project manager of the BMLC, Mika’il Steward-Saddiq, said that he was proud to be part of the group, which he said was long overdue. He said that Black Muslims face both racism and Islamophobia in America, and that they need to stand up for their rights and dignity.
The BMLC is not affiliated with any political party, but it said that it will engage with President Joe Biden and other elected officials to make sure that their issues are addressed.
The group also said that it will work on both international and domestic matters, such as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the mobilization of voters in swing states.
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The BMLC claims to be the first group of its kind in the country, led by Black American Muslims themselves.
The founder of the BMLC, Salima Suswell, said that the group aims to create an institution that will reflect the diversity and uniqueness of the Black American Muslim community, which is one of the largest in Philadelphia, WHYY News reported on Friday.
She also said that the group will initially focus on Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia, where there are significant Black Muslim populations.
Suswell said that Black Muslims have been historically marginalized and ignored by those in power, despite being the largest segment of the American Muslim community and having a long legacy of social and political activism. She said that the BMLC will work in coalition with other groups to ensure that their voices are heard and respected.
The BMLC has the support of several prominent Black Muslim figures in Philadelphia, such as State Senator Sharif Street, Building Trades Council leader Ryan Boyer, former Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson, activist Bilal Qayyum, Sheriff Rochelle Bilal and Councilmember Curtis Jones.
Boyer said that the BMLC will help to change the narrative of what Islam and Muslims look like in America, especially in Philadelphia, and to advocate for the needs of Black Muslims on a national level. He said that the group will have a unified civic voice and a positive impact on the society.
The project manager of the BMLC, Mika’il Steward-Saddiq, said that he was proud to be part of the group, which he said was long overdue. He said that Black Muslims face both racism and Islamophobia in America, and that they need to stand up for their rights and dignity.
The BMLC is not affiliated with any political party, but it said that it will engage with President Joe Biden and other elected officials to make sure that their issues are addressed.
The group also said that it will work on both international and domestic matters, such as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the mobilization of voters in swing states.
/129