Community Corner
Despite Bouts with Senseless Community Violence, Masjid Ibrahim in Newark, NJ Marches Onward with Al-Islam
Violence gripped the neighborhood on November 15, 2025 that killed three people, but the Muslims fearlessly practice Al-Islam around block.
Newark, NJ-The chants were Eid Mubarak (Arabic words for blessed end of the fast)! Family, good friends, students, elders, women, men, and Muslim brothers and sisters attended Masjid Ibrahim on Chancellor Ave in Newark, NJ to celebrate the end of Ramadhan by manifesting the rituals of giving zakat al-Fitr (Arabic for obligatory charity for the poor and needy), performing Islamic Eid Salaah (Arabic word for prayer, and sitting for the Khutbah (Arabic word for lecture) on Friday, March 20, 2026.
You heard Muslims say Alhamdulillah (Arabic words for praise be God) for Resident Imam Derrick Kareem, Assistant Imam Simon Al Furquan and their leadership team. They made the Muslims feel welcomed and protected. But most importantly, they helped the Muslims remember iman in Al-Islam. The word Iman (إيمان) in Islam refers to faith, belief, and total conviction in Allaah and the unseen aspects of the religion. It is a comprehensive state involving sincere belief in the heart, vocal affirmation by the tongue, and practical application through actions, often described as “faith in action” that can increase or decrease.
But before the Muslims and believers left Masjid Ibrahim to enjoy the Islamic holiday, the belief in Allaah (SWT) through Al-Islam inspired three people of African descent to come forward to become Muslims on Eid al-Fitr 2026 by taking their shahaadah (Arabic words for there is no deity or anything worthy of worship except Allaah (Arabic for the Supreme Creator of all humanity and all the worlds). And that Muhammad Ibn Abdullah is his Servant and Messenger).
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The Muslims and believers from Newark, NJ joined billions of the faithful from around the world observing the Eid.
Despite the senseless community violence that gripped that neighborhood on November 15, 2025 that killed three people, the Muslims and believers came out in large numbers to remember their duties to Allaah (Arabic word for The Supreme Creator) and manifest the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (s.a.’s) in proper practice.
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In reaction to the violence, Masjid Ibrahim hosted a major town meeting to bring shifaa (Arabic word for healing) to the community from the violence on Leslie and Chancellor Ave on Saturday, December 13, 2026. That is the intersection that sits one block down from the entrance of Masjid Ibrahim.
Masjid Ibrahim is a spiritual center associated with the leadership of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed. It is open everyday for all five Salawat (صلوات Arabic word for prayers). Masjid Ibrahim address is 392 Chancellor Ave, Newark, NJ 07112.
Imam Warith Deen Mohammed was the seventh son of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. His father co-founded the Nation of Islam. But the teacher of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad was from Makkah, Saudi Arabia. His name was Master Fard Muhammad. He founded the Nation of Islam on July 4, 1930 in the wilderness of North America.
The Nation of Islam produced leaders such as Clara Muhammad, Malcolm X (Omowale El Hajj Malik El Shabazz), Muhammad Ali, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, Father Allah, Salis Muhammad, Sonia Sanchez, Imam Suraj Wahaj, Fredrica Bey, Dr Khalid Abdul Muhammad, Imam Qasim Nathari, Imam Rashad Abdul-Rahmaan, Imam Ali Muslim, Dr. Na’im Akbar, Imam Mustafa El Amin, and many others.
The Nation of Islam organized Black people in America to fight against oppression by embracing Islam, learning the knowledge of self, practicing unity and self-reliance.
The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad guided the Nation of Islam from 1933 to until the time of his departure in 1975. The family of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad elected Warith Deen Mohammed as the new leader in that same year.
During his tenure as an Imam, Warith Deen Mohammed guided the members of the Nation of Islam to Al-Islam. Imam Warith Deen Mohammed led the largest conversion of African Americans (Black Americans) to the spiritual faith of Al-Islam in United States history. With help of Allaah (SWT), and following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (s.a.’a), Imam Warith Deen Mohammed’s efforts laid the foundation for the establishment of Al-Islam in America and his leadership helped to pave the road for the redemption of Black humanity in the U.S. broken by centuries of racism.
Over twenty years ago Masjid Ibrahim was established by the late and great Imam Mustafa El Amin-a student of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed. Mustafa El-Amin returned to Allaah (SWT) on Oct. 25 at the age of 67.
https://patch.com/new-jersey/newarknj/muslim-community-mourns-beloved-newark-imam-mustafa-el-amin
After the Khutbah, the Muslims and believers chanted takbir: Allaahu Akbar (Arabic words for say: God is the Greatest! Eid al- Fitr was a good and productive day. Muslim unity was high and strong. The Islamic holiday Eid al-Fitr or "Festival of Breaking the Fast," is a major Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan’s month-long fasting, prayer, and reflection. Celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, it involves special prayers, charity (Zakat al-Fitr), feasts, new clothes, and giving gifts to children
Bashir Muhammad Ptah Akinyele
-Bashir Muhammad Ptah Akinyele is a community activist, a member of the Muslim community in New Jersey, and a member of ASCAC (the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations). He is also a history and Africana Studies (Black Studies ) teacher at Weequahic High School in Newark, NJ.
As Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh (Arabic for May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you)! Hotep (an ancient African Kemetic / Egyptian word for Peace)! P.E.A.C.E. (Proper Education Always Corrects Errors)!
