Muslim Forward Supports 150 Black Families, Laments Racism
AboutIslam & News Agencies
22 June, 2020
Monaco Muslim forward Keita Balde has slammed racism in the Spanish community, saying that Black lives matter only if you are a star.
“Black lives seem to matter if your name is Keita Balde, but if you’re a part-time worker in Lleida, your life doesn’t matter,” Keita, a Spanish-born Senegalese professional footballer, told El Mundo, Goal.com reported.
📚 Read Also: Why Is Sadio Mane Probably One of the World’s Most Humble Muslim Footballers?
Lamenting that racism remains endemic in Spain, he said that the coronavirus crisis has highlighted the plight of seasonal workers to him.
"My Life Matters" - Song By Raef
Among those struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic were 150 black families who were turned away from hotels.
Keita was drawn to the problem by a video shot by filmmaker Paco Leon, who worked with seasonal worker Serigne Mamadou to show the injustices that seasonal workers have to cope with.
Therefore, the Muslim player decided to support these families, paying for their accommodation and food.
“Maybe they didn’t want to rent anything to a black boy. I felt I had to do what I could to help,” he said.
“I didn’t want to offer words, I didn’t want to speak, I wanted facts. People needed help. They were living in subhuman conditions, sleeping on the streets between cardboard boxes. They work 13 hours a day for €25 (£22/$27); and have to buy food, to find a place to sleep, they’re not stealing from anyone.
“In Spain, we need people working in the fields to collect the fruit. We need them, but if you don’t treat them well…”
Muslim Forward Supports 150 Black Families, Laments Racism - About Islam
Charity Efforts
Lessons from the 7 Most Recited Verses of the Quran
In addition, Keita also paid for the accommodation of 80 key workers in Barcelona during COVID-19 pandemic.
He said he felt it was important to give back to the community since he was a young player with the Camp Nou outfit.
“I’ve financed a mosque and a school in Senegal, I’ve helped with the pandemic in Europe… I like to be like this,” he said.
“I’ve been like this since I was young. I’m a boy at heart and I like to share.
“I gave out the clothes and boots that Barcelona and Nike gave me in the neighbourhood square.
“Money is one of the problems of this world. It classifies people. If you have a bill you are someone. If you don’t have it, you are nobody.
“We live in a polluted society in that regard. The person’s real value is lost. It’s sad.
“I was happy before, when I had no money. And I am happy now.”
Charitable Players
There are many Muslim player known and loved for such charitable works.
In November 2019, Nigerian captain Ahmed Musa announced plans to sponsor 100 students at a university in the Nigerian city of Kano.
The Super Eagles superstar was reportedly involved in various charitable projects including the construction of a sports center in Kano.
Mali Muslim football legend Frederic Kanoute also raised funds to help build Seville first purpose-built mosque in 700 years.
Likewise, Senegalese forward Sadio Mane donated £200,000 to build a school, mosque, and hospital in his hometown village in Senegal.
What Can I Do About Racism?
Hana Alasry
22 June, 2020
Recent events have become a tipping point for conversation on anti-blackness and racism in the United States. In light of George Floyd’s death, we have seen many reactions from different members of the Muslim community (both in the US and outside). Many were inspiring, but many were disappointing and show that non-black Muslims have a lot to learn.
This article serves to be a point of reflection and offers a practical guide and lots of resources to unlearn anti-blackness and racism through the lens of Islam.
What's Islam's View of Racism?
Racism is not inherent, it is taught
We read in the Quran what means:
{Allah asked, “What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?” He replied, “I am better than he is: You created me from fire and him from clay.”} (Al-A`raf 7:12)
We often hear that Iblees was the first racist in history. And while this depiction is a bit of an oversimplification of racism, it points out a huge foundation of racism; arrogance.
One of the biggest set-ups for failure in tackling anti-blackness and racism is to assume that it is a switch that can just be turned off with minimal effort.
As a basis, we must understand racism as a form of arrogance and pride. We know the fate of Iblees, so we understand that replicating his characteristics through racism puts us at risk for the same fate. That is no gamble that anyone should be willing to take.
Allah says:
{O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.} (Al-Hujurat 49:13)
What Can I Do About Racism? - About Islam
How to Remove Pride from Your Heart
Racism is taught and learned. People learn racism when stereotypes about black people become jokes among your friends. It is taught when the only time you only invite black Muslim scholars to your mosque to speak about racism.
It is taught when aunties make negative comments about dark skin. And yet, the above verse elevates the sin of racism, no matter how subtle it may be.
Understand that, at its core, racism and anti-blackness is not just oppression of the creation. It is a disrespect to the Creator.
Why? Because Allah created different nations as a sign of His might. So when you have a problem with His creation, you truly have a problem with Him.
What is it that you have seen, heard, believed that led you to be comfortable with seeing a creation of Allah as less than you?
Step 1: Changing Yourself
Changing yourself begins with understanding racism as injustice and our responsibility against injustice. We read in the Quran:
{O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, Allah is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate ‘from justice’. If you distort the testimony or refuse to give it, then ‘know that’ Allah is certainly All-Aware of what you do.} (An-Nisa’ 4:135)
Ending Racism and Bringing Peace With Justice
Racism or anti-blackness is injustice. It is not just injustice when a policeman shots or kills a black person. It is injustice when people ridicule a black child for his/her hair. It is injustice when you or a family member use the word “3BD” to refer to a black person.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had no tolerance for injustice of any kind. So as a Muslim, ask yourself, are you tolerating it? Are you more concerned with defending yourself when someone calls out a racist thing you do or say? Or are you humble enough to say “I’m doing something haram. I was not careful enough. I have no right to disrespect Allah and His creation.” I could go on forever, but to hear more of my reflections, a podcast episode can be found here.
Step 2: Educating Yourself
If you haven’t done the work of understanding how ِAllah hates anti-blackness and racism, education won’t lead to change. That’s why it’s step two. I’d like to introduce you to three Muslim-created resources with their links.
The first is MuslimARC, an Islamic anti-racism organization with many resources to educate, tools to empower and opportunities to engage.
The second is the Family and Youth Institute, which has a valuable toolkit on uplifting black Muslim youth. This is a great resource especially if you work at any institution like a school or a mosque.
The third is the book of Centering the Black Narrative by Dawud Walid and Ahmad Mubarak which educates on the history and contributions of black Muslims in and around the Prophet Muhammad’s time.
📚 Read Also: Seerah Of Prophet Muhammad – Conversions Of Omar & Hamza Plus Boycott
This is valuable for all families to shed light on important and often sidelined Islamic history. This is especially true since many of us aren’t even familiar that some Companions (besides Bilal ibn Rabah) were black!
Step 3: Taking Action
We are barely scratching the surface here. To unlearn anti-blackness and racism, it requires societal transformation. That can only happen if a changed person helps others to change. So, action is person-specific.
Here are three actions to take:
Action 1 is to bring back the feeling of shame to the sin of racism. Call it out (with prophetic wisdom and ethics). Remind people of why it is a sin. Make it known that racism and anti-blackness will not be tolerated in your presence. Stand up against injustice, whether it’s your friend, sibling or parent.
4 Things To Overcome Anti-Blackness & Racism Within Ourselves & Our Communities
Action 2 is to help educate others. Share this article. Circulate verses and reminders. Share resources that help people understand how racism operates.
Action 3 is to make an effort, especially if you are in a position of power. Have a halaqah with your family to educate on such issues. Volunteer at your mosque to bring racially conscious programming. If it is safe to do so, attend protests against police brutality as a Muslim. Work within your area of influence.
There is so much more that we can say about racism and anti-blackness. I hope this provides a good start and the resources are beneficial.
