Confronting Racism in the Muslim Community: Real Stories and Actionable Solutions
What does it really mean to be Black and Muslim in a Western society like Australia? In a deeply moving episode of OnePath Confessions, a group of Black Australian Muslims opened up about a painful reality that many within the community are hesitant to discuss: racism inside the mosque often cuts deeper than any prejudice they face outside of it.
From having prayer mats snatched mid-Salah to being rejected for marriage based solely on skin colour, these lived experiences reveal a profound disconnect between Islamic teachings and cultural practices. This article explores these testimonies, analyses the spiritual root of discrimination, and provides actionable steps to foster genuine, prophetic inclusion in our community spaces.
The Pain of Spiritual Betrayal: Racism Inside the House of Allah
For a practising Muslim, the masjid (mosque) is meant to be a sanctuary, a place of safety, spiritual renewal, and unconditional brotherhood. Yet, for many Black Muslims, it has occasionally become a site of deep emotional pain.
One sister shared a harrowing experience from her formative teenage years. While praying in the sisters’ section, another worshipper snatched the prayer mat from beneath her feet mid-prostration (sujud) while whispering insults in Arabic, assuming she couldn’t understand.
“I am Sudanese, so I speak Arabic and understood everything she said. What hurt most was that other sisters watched and said nothing. When discrimination comes from elders and leadership, people who are supposed to carry wisdom and kindness, it cuts the deepest.”
Why Racism from Fellow Muslims Hurts More
When encountering prejudice from non-Muslims, it is easily dismissed as a lack of understanding of Islamic values. However, experiencing racism in the Muslim community feels like a spiritual betrayal. It represents a disconnect where those who represent the Deen (faith) actively violate the core tenets of the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) teachings in the very house of Allah.
The Spiritual Root of Racism: The Arrogance of Iblis (Satan)
To truly dismantle racism, we must understand its origin. In Islamic theology, the first sin ever committed was not theft or murder; it was racism and tribal superiority.
When Allah commanded the angels and Iblis to bow before Adam (peace be upon him), Iblis refused, stating:
“I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay.” (Quran 7:12)
This claim of biological superiority based on origin is the exact foundation of modern racism. When a Muslim looks down on another because of their skin colour, ethnicity, or lineage, they are unknowingly embodying the exact theology of Iblis. In the sight of Allah, this arrogance is one of the gravest spiritual diseases of the heart.
Microaggressions and Identity: From Dehumanisation to the N-Word
Racism is not always overt; it often manifests as daily microaggressions that chip away at a person’s sense of belonging.
1. “Can I Touch Your Hair?”
Many Black Muslims report being treated like “rare species” or exhibits in a museum, with people constantly asking to touch their hair. While sometimes born out of curiosity, this behaviour can feel deeply dehumanising and exoticising.
2. Institutional Bias in Schools
One brother recalled his school years, when teachers labelled Afro-textured hair as “untidy” and forced Black students to cut it, while allowing classmates with straight hair to grow theirs out. This institutional inability to understand and accommodate diverse hair types sends a subtle but clear message to young minds: your natural self is unacceptable.
3. Casual Use of Racial Slurs
The casual use of the N-word, even “as a joke” among friends or used maliciously to distract players during sports, remains a persistent issue. True Islamic brotherhood demands that we respect the dignity of our brothers and sisters and completely eliminate offensive racial slurs from our vocabulary.
Racism in Muslim Marriages: Overlooking Character for Colour
One of the most systemic areas where racism in the Muslim community manifests is in marriage negotiations. Despite clear Islamic guidelines prioritising character and piety, many families reject suitors solely based on their racial or ethnic background.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us:
“If there comes to you one with whose character and religious commitment you are pleased, then marry him. If you do not do so, there will be fitnah (tribulation) on earth and widespread corruption.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
A brother shared his experience of being stared at in public spaces in Australia alongside his French-Algerian wife, with people even questioning if their child belonged to her. In contrast, multicultural Muslim families are widely normalised in other parts of the world, highlighting that these biases are entirely cultural, not religious.
The Crucial Need for Genuine Black Muslim Representation
A common theme among Black Muslims growing up in Western diaspora spaces is a feeling of double isolation: feeling “not Muslim enough” in cultural spaces dominated by Arab or South Asian demographics, and “not Black enough” in non-Muslim spaces.
The Power of History: Beyond Bilāl
While Bilal ibn Rabah (may Allah be pleased with him) is a beloved figure and the first Mu’adhin (caller to prayer) of Islam, representation of Black history in Islam should not start and end with him.
Books like “Beyond Bilal: Black History in Islam” by Mustafa Briggs highlight the immense, rich contributions of West African Islamic scholarship, East African empires, and Black scholars who shaped contemporary Islamic sciences. Highlighting these narratives helps young Black Muslims validate their identities and ground their self-worth.
Building True Prophetic Unity: What Does Genuine Inclusion Look Like?
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) famously stated:
“The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a single body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
To move from performative diversity to genuine prophetic inclusion, we must take concrete actions as individuals, communities, and leaders.
Actionable Strategies for Mosques and Communities
- Diverse Representation in Leadership: Mosque boards, committees, and speaker lineups must reflect the true demographic diversity of the Ummah. If leadership is homogeneous, the community’s priorities will remain narrow.
- Zero-Tolerance Policies for Discrimination: Mosque administrators must actively address incidents of bias, microaggressions, or harassment within sacred spaces.
- Prophetic Education: Imams and community leaders must deliver khutbahs (sermons) specifically addressing spiritual diseases like racism, arrogance, and nationalism.
- Active Engagement: Step out of ethnic comfort zones. Build genuine friendships, share meals, and collaborate on community initiatives with brothers and sisters from different cultural backgrounds.
A Message of Hope for Young Black Muslims
To any young Black Muslim struggling to find their place or dealing with the sting of exclusion: know your worth in the sight of your Creator.
You were intentionally designed and fashioned by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala). Your skin colour, your heritage, and your unique lived experiences are not obstacles; they are divine tools given to you to fulfil your purpose on this earth. Do not let the ignorance of others distance you from your Deen or make you doubt your value to this Ummah.
Embrace your identity fully. As one of the panelists beautiful stated: “I am so proud to be Muslim, and I am so proud to be Black. It is my biggest flex in this life, and I would choose it in every single lifetime.”
Confronting racism in the Muslim community is not about dividing us; it is about healing our fractures to achieve the true, beautiful unity of the Prophetic model. It requires hard conversations, sincere self-reflection, and a collective commitment to stand up whenever we see injustice.
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