Imam Tariq El-Amin does not begin by listing titles or accomplishments. Instead, he describes himself simply: "a thinker" and "a regular person." Yet his work as an imam, educator, broadcaster, historian, and community leader reveals a life dedicated to exploring some of the most pressing questions facing Muslims in America today: justice, racism, identity, and the responsibility of serving humanity.
Holding a Doctorate in Ministry in Islamic Community Leadership from Bayyan Islamic Graduate School and Chicago Theological Seminary, Imam Tariq has spent decades building bridges between communities and helping Muslims understand both their faith and their place in the broader American story.
One of the most formative experiences in that journey was his work with Radio Islam.
The Transformative Power of Radio
For Imam Tariq, hosting and producing Radio Islam was far more than a professional opportunity. It became a training ground that shaped his worldview and expanded his understanding of the Muslim community.
Although he came to radio with a background in theater, spoken word, and public speaking, Radio Islam brought those skills together in a new way. Through the experience, he learned broadcasting, production, editing, podcasting, and even recorded the English translation of the Qur'an.
More importantly, it connected him to Muslims he might never have encountered otherwise.
The platform introduced him to communities across Chicagoland, throughout the United States, and around the world. Through conversations with Uyghurs, Kashmiris, Burmese Muslims, and countless others, he gained a deeper appreciation for the diverse struggles and experiences of Muslims globally.
"Radio Islam expanded my worldview," he reflected. "It put me in touch with parts of the community nationwide and even globally that I had not been as familiar with."
Those encounters reinforced a lesson that continues to shape his work today: understanding the stories of others is essential to building meaningful community.
Confronting Racism Within Muslim Communities
When the conversation turned to racism within Muslim communities, Imam Tariq challenged the idea that the subject is simply "touchy."
Rather, he argued, it is a subject many people actively avoid.
He emphasized that Islam does not exempt believers from confronting the realities of racism and prejudice. The declaration of faith, he explained, does not automatically erase the influence of societal biases or the legacy of white supremacy.
"This is a human problem," he said. "We are not exempt from that challenge. We are part of it."
Drawing from American history, he pointed out that racism in the United States was refined through centuries of laws, customs, and institutions that reinforced anti-Blackness. Muslims, as members of society, inevitably absorb some of those influences unless they intentionally work to identify and challenge them.
For Imam Tariq, confronting racism begins with honest self-examination.
"We have to own our biases," he explained.
Those biases may not always be connected to race. They can emerge through attitudes about age, gender, education, class, or status. The key, he argued, is developing the courage to interrogate one's own assumptions.
He described this process as deeply connected to Islamic spirituality. Islam emphasizes self-reflection, accountability, and the purification of the soul. These principles provide believers with tools to confront prejudice honestly rather than deny its existence.
Education, particularly for young people, is another critical component. While changing deeply rooted beliefs can be difficult, Imam Tariq believes meaningful transformation is possible when communities commit to learning and honest dialogue.
Teaching Difficult Histories Without Creating Division
One of the greatest challenges facing educators today is how to teach painful histories—such as slavery, racism, and systemic injustice—without creating further division.
Imam Tariq rejects the idea that unity requires avoiding uncomfortable truths.
Instead, he points to the Qur'anic command to stand firmly for justice, even when doing so challenges one's own interests, family, or community.
"Justice is not a popularity contest," he said.
For him, teaching history begins with recognizing human dignity. Difficult stories are not meant to create resentment but to illuminate the realities that shaped society and continue to affect people today.
He also framed racism and supremacy through a spiritual lens, identifying them as among Satan's most successful schemes against humanity.
When discussing white supremacy or anti-Blackness, Imam Tariq believes Muslims should acknowledge their spiritual dimensions rather than treating them solely as social or political issues.
At the same time, he emphasized personal accountability. While believers may be influenced by harmful ideas, they remain responsible for confronting and overcoming them.
"We have to stop taking credit for Shaytan's schemes," he explained. "We have to recognize where these ideas come from and work to overcome them."
Ultimately, he believes education must be rooted in values rather than popularity. Communities should not expect unanimous agreement before addressing injustice.
"Everybody is not going to be on the same page," he said. "And that's okay."
Preserving the Story of Black Muslims in Chicago
Among Imam Tariq's most impactful projects is the Chicago Black Muslim History Tour, an initiative he founded to preserve and share the rich history of Black Muslims in the city.
The idea emerged from a simple but powerful realization: if Muslims celebrate diversity, they must also understand the stories that make that diversity meaningful.
Chicago is home to one of the most diverse Muslim populations in the world. Arabs, South Asians, Africans, African Americans, Latinos, converts, and immigrants from every corner of the globe have contributed to the city's Muslim landscape.
Yet many people remain unfamiliar with the history of the Black Muslim community that helped lay the foundation for Islam's growth in America.
"If we're going to appreciate diversity, we need to know the stories," Imam Tariq explained.
The tour traces a history stretching back to the 1930s, highlighting the institutions, leaders, and movements that shaped Black Muslim life in Chicago. Participants gain a deeper understanding of figures such as Elijah Muhammad, Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, and the communities that emerged through their leadership.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Students, scholars, seminary partners, and community members continue to return, seeking a fuller understanding of how Black Muslim experiences intersect with broader struggles for civil rights, human dignity, and social justice.
Leadership, Identity, and Imam Warith Deen Mohammed
Few figures have influenced Imam Tariq's understanding of leadership more profoundly than Imam Warith Deen Mohammed May Allah grant him mercy.
He credits Imam Warith Deen with helping generations of Black American Muslims reconcile multiple identities that had often been presented as conflicting.
According to Imam Tariq, Imam Warith Deen demonstrated that one could be fully Black, fully Muslim, fully African American, and fully American without sacrificing any part of oneself.
This framework challenged what scholars have described as "double consciousness"—the feeling of being forced to choose between different aspects of one's identity.
Instead, Imam Warith Deen may Allah grant him mercy, offered a vision of wholeness.
"He helped us reconcile all those things," Imam Tariq said.
That vision continues to influence his understanding of leadership, belonging, and service.
Lessons from History and the Pursuit of Justice
When asked about the figures who shaped his understanding of justice, Imam Tariq named several well-known leaders, including Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, Muhammad Ali, and Malcolm X may Allah grant them mercy.
Yet he also pointed to countless unnamed Muslims who resisted oppression throughout history.
As a student of history, he is particularly inspired by the many revolts and rebellions led or supported by enslaved Muslims throughout the Americas.
Many of those individuals remain unknown to history, but their willingness to resist injustice continues to resonate.
"What excuse do I have?" he asked.
Their example serves as a reminder that the pursuit of justice often requires courage under far more difficult circumstances than those many face today.
He also credits his parents—especially his mother—with shaping his understanding of service.
Justice, he explained, does not always look like confrontation. Sometimes it appears in the quiet, consistent work of serving others.
Why Juneteenth Matters
For Imam Tariq, Juneteenth represents far more than a historical anniversary.
It symbolizes the long-delayed recognition of human freedom and dignity.
He draws a powerful comparison between public support for Palestinian liberation and reactions to Juneteenth celebrations. If Palestinians were to achieve freedom tomorrow, he argues, many people would immediately celebrate the moment as a triumph of justice.
Yet Juneteenth—commemorating the delayed enforcement of emancipation for enslaved African Americans—often faces skepticism or dismissal.
That contrast raises important questions about whose suffering is acknowledged and whose liberation is celebrated.
Beginning with the arrival of enslaved Africans in 1619 and continuing through slavery, convict leasing, lynching, segregation, redlining, and systemic discrimination, the Black American experience reflects centuries of denied freedom.
Juneteenth does not erase that history. Rather, it recognizes a moment when freedom finally reached people who had long been denied it.
"It would be simply looked at as a triumph of human dignity," he said.
Understanding Juneteenth, therefore, requires understanding the broader struggle for justice that continues today.
A Responsibility to Humanity
As the conversation drew to a close, Imam Tariq reflected on a title adopted by Imam Warith Deen Mohammed: "Muslim American Spokesman for Human Salvation."
The significance, he explained, lies in its universal scope.
The mission was never limited to one race, one community, or one nation. It was about service to humanity.
That principle also shapes Imam Tariq's understanding of justice.
Justice begins with the individual. It extends to family, neighbors, community, city, nation, and ultimately the world.
The goal is not simply to secure rights for oneself but to expand justice as far outward as possible.
"We don't skip over ourselves or our families," he said. "But we work so we can actually have an impact in the world."
For Imam Tariq, that is the true measure of faith: not merely what we demand for ourselves, but what we are willing to pursue for others.
In a world often fractured by division, his message remains clear. Human dignity is universal. Justice is a collective responsibility. And the work of building a better society begins with the courage to confront ourselves, learn our history, and serve humanity beyond our own immediate interests.
Author bio: Miriam Mohamed is a mother to seven children and a granny to two cats! She loves trying new things and learning cool facts. She has taught in an Islamic school setting, has experience assisting children with special needs, and enjoys volunteering and being a part of the community. Miriam lives in Chicago with her beautiful flowering cherry tree and big family.
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