Tensions Between Nation of Islam and Muslim Brotherhood USA
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Tensions between the Muslim Brotherhood USA and the Nation of Islam arose because they had extremely different beliefs about race, the identity of Black Muslims, and Islam's practice. Despite differences, they both were rooted in the intention of uplifting Black American Muslims, however they had contrasting ideas about how and why. The Muslim Brotherhood USA promoted Islam as a universal religion that could bring people of all races and backgrounds together, which completely and directly opposed the Nation of Islam's view. NOI centered on Black empowerment through separation from white society. An interesting belief of the Nation of Islam is how all white people are devils, which is mentioned when Malcolm X learns from his brother that the NOI views white people as inherently evil or "devils". This belief explains the separation from white society. The Nation of Islam believed that the origin of man was Black and emerged in Africa, and integrated “Black particularism” into their belief system.
Under this premise, the Nation of Islam practiced religion in a way that was tailored specifically to Black Americans. They were publicly criticized by Talib Dawud through an article because it was (negatively) predicted by him that the Qur'an would eventually be replaced by a book written exclusively for Black people. This did not sit well with Muslim Brotherhood USA, because they held on to more traditional Islamic practices and focused on including Black people as part of a global Muslim community rather than a separate identity. An example of this is the Muslim Brotherhood USA's focus on praying in mosques and facing the qibla (the Kaaba in Mecca), in unity with other Muslims, regardless of race. On the other hand. the NOI used "temples" instead of mosques focusing on a practice that was exclusive to Black Muslims.
Overall, The Muslim Brotherhood USA and Nation of Islam both aimed to uplift Black Muslims but mostly had tensions arise due to extremely different ideas when it came to how. The Muslim Brotherhood USA focused more on the integration of Black Muslims with wider society, while the NOI focused on the exclusivity of Black Muslims.