February is Black History Month

Assalamualaikum Dear Teachers,

Here's an excellent opportunity to connect Islamic Studies with Social Studies. February is Black History Month. A significant number of African slaves that were brought to the New World were Muslims. It is an excellent way to illustrate to our students that Muslims have a long history in the West and have made significant contributions to the development of the civilizations in the West. It is also an excellent opportunity to tell our students the story of the oppression of a race of people.

I would really like to see at least one lesson plan by each homeroom teacher that focuses on Black History during the month of February. Here are some resources to update yourself on this topic:

• Deeper Roots: Muslims in Americas before Columbus By Dr:Abdullah Hakim 
• Malcolm X: Make It Plain (Full PBS Documentary)
• Malcom X Speeches
• Muhammad Ali in His Own Words-A video
• Autobiography of Malcolm X As Told to Alex Haley
• On the Side of My People, A Religious Life of Malcolm X, Louis DeCaro, Jr.
• African American Islam, Aminah Beverly McCloud 
• Islam in the African American Experience, Richard Brent Turner  
• American Jihad, Islam After Malcolm X, Steve Barboza.
• There is a River, The Black Struggle for Freedom in America, Vincent Harding
• Pipe Dream Blues Racism & the War on Drugs, Clarence Lusane
• I May Not Get There With You, The True Martin Luther King, Jr., Michael Eric Dyson
• Adam! Where Are You? Why Most Black Men Don't Go to Church, Jawanza Kunjufu
• Tales From Sudan 
• The Haven of the First Hijra (Migration): An African Nation is the Muslims' first refuge 
• Umm Ayman, May Allah be pleased with her: A Notable Muslim African Woman 
• Building African-Arab connections during Black History Month 
• Black History Month: African American Muslims 
• Celebrating the Roots of Islam in America Through Black History Month

Black History Month Resources from Citizenship and Immigration Canada

• Explore the Canadian Black History: An Interactive Experience virtual museum.
• Download or order free copies of the 2013 Black History Month poster.
• Watch short video clips that celebrate Black History Month.
• Visit our Teachers and Youth Web Corner, a resource for teachers and a fun place for kids, for other Black History Month resources.
• Elementary school teachers can also order or download a template students can use to create their own poster to celebrate Black History Month.