Martin Luther King

During Dr.King's life, racism against African-pAmericans was America's greatest sin, and since then we have come a long way in making amends. But as Muslims, we are aware that the struggle against injustice must be taken up in every generation.

Muslims are indebted to the civil rights movement for advancing their rights in the United States. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an annual celebration the leader's birthday, and offers us a chance to give back. Here are some ideas to put in action. 

These excerpts are from a speech delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on April 4, 1967, exactly one year before his assassination. While the focus is the Vietnam War, it offers us a perspective on our current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that cannot be ignored.

Muslims must remember that most of us or our parents could not have been allowed to even enter this country due to racist immigration laws that were lifted largely due to the Civil Rights movement.

Dr. Martin Luther King would have spoken of the imperative to prevent terrorism, by trying to get to the root causes-- which are social and political--rather than seeking security through military means.

While this holiday holds historical importance as a commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s sacrifices and role as a premiere civil rights leader, this year it is even more significant. Here are a couple of easy ways to make the most of it.