The Black Muslim Manifesto: From Inside the Belly of the Beast

The Black Muslim Manifesto is the compilation of over ten years of essays addressing events of historical contemporary and ideological significance. Debates between the author and others who contested some of his positions form the basis of several chapters. The essays not only provide Lukmans reflections on some of the most critical issues of the past decade they also include a critical analysis of American history a critique of Malcolm X a biographical sketch of Kwame Ture (partly based on the authors personal relationship with him) Lukmans understanding of the religion of Islam particularly as it relates to the post 9/11 world; commentaries on Lebanon Sudan Gaza the ascendancy of Obama etc. There are countless opinions offered concerning every topic addressed in the Manifesto however that which makes the Manifesto unique is its uncompromising Black revolutionary Islamic perspective. This is a perspective that is totally missing from the ideological discourse in America on either the left or the right. The climate of fear engendered by George Ws fatwa that you are either with us or you are with the terrorists has sent Muslim leadership in America scurrying behind the mantra Islam is peace. The fact that Bush codified his fatwa with the Patriot Act has left this brand of leadership cowering in fear. Those who wish to pass themselves off as Black leadership are no better than their Muslim counterparts. The Manifesto takes the unabashed position that the Obamamania which has been signed onto by most recognized Black leadership is no more than a corporate controlled deception. It is a deception designed for international as well as domestic consumption. The American ruling class is faced with the browning of America. They are also confronted with an increasingly non-white anti-American global population. According to the Manifesto Obamaism represents the apotheosis of neo-colonialism. Are the views expressed in the two preceding paragraphs controversial? Of course they are and they are reflective of the spirit of the book. That is precisely what makes the Manifesto unique. The uniqueness of the book is part of the appeal of the Manifesto. An embattled Muslim world will find a voice in the Western Hemisphere who champions their cause. Followers of the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad will see that Elijah Lives in its pages. Revolutionary thinkers will find a book written in the spirit of George Jacksons Blood in my Eye. And of course liberals reformists accommodationists and assimilationists will be horrified. But that is precisely the type of debate all intellectuals should welcome.