Islamic Heritage Museum Opens in D.C.
Exhibit explores America’s Islamic history dating back to the 1500’s
By Arlene Borenstein
Southeast Washington is now home to a new museum commemorating Islamic heritage in the United States. The “America’s Islamic Heritage Museum and Cultural Center” held a reception and media preview today.
The museum, located on 2315 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, traces the history of Muslims in America. According to the press release: More than the stories already known in mainstream America, such as those of Kunta Kinte (Alex Haley’s “Roots”) and Abdul Rahman (A Prince Among Slaves). But there’s also many stories waiting to be heard like those of the first communities of Muslims in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, and Illinois. The museum is truly wholesome, offering the stories of the enslaved Muslims and their adeptness to keep their faith, the Nation of Islam, the Masons, as well as to demonstrate the diversity with which Islamic principles became a part of the American fabric.
The museum began as a traveling exhibit by a non-profit organization created in 1996 called the “Collections and Stories of American Muslims”.
According to the website, the exhibit has traveled across the country, including stops at the Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Cultural Center in New York, Harvard University, University of Florida, The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum and The State Department’s International Visitor Program.
Original post: Islamic Heritage Museum Opens in D.C.

[2.223] Your wives are a tilth for you, so go into your tilth when you like, and do good beforehand for yourselves, and be careful (of your duty) to Allah, and know that you will meet Him, and give good news to the believers.
[2.224] And make not Allah because of your swearing (by Him) an obstacle to your doing good and guarding (against evil) and making peace between men, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
[2.225] Allah does not call you to account for what is vain in your oaths, but He will call you to account for what your hearts have earned, and Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing.
[2.226] Those who swear that they will not go in to their wives should wait four months; so if they go back, then Allah is surely Forgiving, Merciful.
[2.227] And if they have resolved on a divorce, then Allah is surely Hearing, Knowing.
[2.228] And the divorced women should keep themselves in waiting for three courses; and it is not lawful for them that they should conceal what Allah has created in their wombs, if they believe in Allah and the last day; and their husbands have a better right to take them back in the meanwhile if they wish for reconciliation; and they have rights similar to those against them in a just manner, and the men are a degree above them, and Allah is Mighty, Wise.
[2.229] Divorce may be (pronounced) twice, then keep (them) in good fellowship or let (them) go with kindness; and it is not lawful for you to take any part of what you have given them, unless both fear that they cannot keep within the limits of Allah; then if you fear that they cannot keep within the limits of Allah, there is no blame on them for what she gives up to become free thereby. These are the limits of Allah, so do not exceed them and whoever exceeds the limits of Allah these it is that are the unjust.
29 July 2011 at 11:20 am