The Malcolm Shabazz Story
Twenty Five Years of
Human Excellence and Progress
“Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all
that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong; they are
the ones to attain felicity” Holy Quran 3:104
We live in a world where wisdom is often homeless because what
is good for a few becomes the landlord of our thinking and evicts what is good
for the many. That we are one humanity made from one human soul is a
truth and a reality too often misunderstood and ignored even if proved by the
agreement of scripture and science.
This understanding of our unity is often violently divorced from
the human perception of reality because of the interloping of “rugged
individualism”, alternate truths”, and notions of invidious distinction which
tend to dominate community sensibilities and consciousness.
The history of Malcolm Shabazz Community (a small community of
faith in Harlem) is a microcosm of those positive possibilities that faith,
right perception and the coalescing of diversity can accomplish in a
neighborhood or a nation.
PART 1 A NEW BEGINNING
Almost twenty five years ago February 14, (1993) Izak-EL Pasha
was elected to be the leader (Imam) of historic Masjid Malcolm Shabazz
(Formerly Muhammad Temple #7 established by Malcolm X/Malcolm Shabazz in 1956).
He wasn’t running for the office at all. He was a helper,
a builder and a businessman volunteering at work that day (far away on a farm
and school campus in rural Randolph Virginia, the (Muslim Teachers
College). When he was tapped to be leader by the members of Masjid
Malcolm Shabazz, it was the result of a special election.
Imam Pasha the 7th Imam of the Malcolm Shabazz Community took
office after the passing of the great Imam Al Rashed. He assumed the office on
the condition that leadership would be a “we deal” i.e. a deal where everyone
would carry his own weight and pledged to help him uplift the entire community
(via business, education and cooperation, with all good people who seek
excellent results in upgrading the quality of human condition).
PART II The 116TH STREET CORRIDOR HOUSING INITIATIVE
Seven Lots, 48 Houses for Community Residents, hundreds of New
Apartments
Upon being elected to the office, there were seven large
abandoned vacant lots owned by NY City which blighted the 115th Street and
116th Street corridor area. Another two blocks north (117th Street and
118th Street) which were also dilapidated condition.
What followed was progress joined to cooperation, giving rise to
hundreds of new apartments units, which alleviated the burden of community and
government.
Malcolm Shabazz Development Corporation sponsored
(A) Malcolm Shabazz Garden 48 (3) family homes
on West 117th Street and 118th Street between Adam Clayton and 5th Avenue
occupied largely by local residents. This was designed to provide
‘foreclosure proof’ housing to Harlem Residents by way of making available
rental units that could cover the mortgage.
(B) The Renaissance Plaza 241 condo priced
moderately. Again promoting units’ ownership stakes for community.
(C) Millennium on Fifth 128 units of green and
smart cooperative building affordably priced.
(D) Malcolm Shabazz Court 15 West 116th Street
nearly 40 middle income apartments opposite the world famous Kalahari
Condominium.
(E) Malcolm Shabazz LLP Buildings 64 and 66
West 116th Street, 104 and 111 Lenox Avenue 42 units of newly renovated
apartments.
Priced for 80 percent AMI – (Low Area median Income Resident)
(Note: MSDC is duplicating the same
initiatives in Inkster Michigan and has already purchased a 10 acre high school
in Inkster with complete academic and athletic facilities, 28 homes for low
income ownership, a roller rink family center etc. Harlem Market and 10
additional businesses.
PART III A HEAD START FOR NEW BUSINESS AND THE COMMUNITY’S
ENTREPRENEURIAL DREAMERS
In 1994, MSDC took in hundreds of Harlem Street Vendors who were
fleeing the initiative of police who had been ordered to remove them from the
125th Street corridor. MSDC took in these street vendors and started a
Business Incubator Program which has become world renowned success as The
Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market.
PART IV MIRACLE ON 116TH STREET MOSES, JESUS AND
MOHAMED (PBUH) TOGETHER
Via the unique “Faith Communities together” program, Masjid
Malcolm Shabazz Community under the Leadership of Imam W. D. Mohammed and
stewardship of Imam Pasha has accomplished a microcosm of what peace might look
like for people of faith worldwide.
Congregation of faith believers have come to see Masjid Malcolm
Shabazz House of Worship as a place of refuge.
A) The Baptist Temple Church held religious services for two
years in the Masjid Malcolm Shabazz building once their Church had been
rendered unusable.
B) The Harlem Jewish Minyan had its Shabbat service Saturday
Sabbath prayer series) for over one year as Masjid Malcolm Shabazz House of
Worship.
C) Catholics and Muslims have engaged in an Interfaith Dialogue
and friendship for nearly 20 years beginning with meeting Chiara Lubich of the
Catholic Focolare Movement and Imam W. D. Mohammed leader of American Muslim at
Malcolm Shabazz.
PART V CONCLUSION
The value of these events should be noted worldwide.
Muslims, Christians, Jews find agreement that there is one G-d one creation and
one human family, is proof that goodness on the rise and that conflict has
suffered a setback.
PERSPECTIVE
Standing across the street from Masjid Malcolm Shabazz, one will
see three floors.
The First Floor contains business from MSHM Incubator Program.
This feeds the body or material needs of human progress. The communal
life needs entrepreneurial spirit.
On the Second Floor sits the Clara Mohamed Elementary School
(the upper room) where universal knowledge and moral perception of the Quran is
shared and cultivated and new ways of knowing are explored.
On the Third Floor is the Masjid Malcolm Shabazz prayer place
(Musullah). Here congregation prayer is highlighted (daily prayers 5
times a day) and practiced each Friday. It is in the dome of wisdom.
In arms of co-operation and good leadership, wisdom has found a
home here at Masjid Malcolm Shabazz and its community works
Think About It!