Detroit’s UNIVERSITY of ISLAM
Muhammad Speaks Newspaper
P.O Box 44261
Detroit, MI 48244
Phone: 313-371-7033
E-mail: webmaster@muhammadspeaks.com
Detroit’s UNIVERSITY of ISLAM
Reprinted from Salaam, July, 1960 edition
EDUCATION occupies a very high and important place in the religion of the
Muslim followers of Mr. Elijah Muhammad. And anyone who has ever visited
the University of Islam at Detroit, or in Chicago, readily understands
that Mr. Muhammad spares no expense in providing the best of physical
plant and working facilities for the education of Muslim children.
Big, roomy, modern-lighted hallways and classrooms are a must in the
University of Islam, where many of the future ministers of Islam receive
their early training. Libraries are well-stocked with books, periodicals
and other educational tools from all parts of the world.
Detroit’s University of Islam is typical of the standards of
education that are insisted upon by Elijah Muhammad. The Muslim leader
says, “The education and training of our children must not be limited to
the “Three R’s” (reading, ‘riting and ‘righmetic) only. It should instead
include the history of the black nation, the knowledge of civilizations
of man and the universe, and all sciences. It is necessary that the young
people of our Nation (Islam) learn all they can. Learning is a great
virtue and I would like to see all the children of my followers become
possessors of it. It will make us an even greater people tomorrow.”
Students Attend school
50 weeks a year, start Arabic
lessons in 3rd grade
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ISLAM strong emphasis is placed upon the daily
Muslims duties, the teaching of Arabic, the observance of strict dietary
laws, and the development of character. Muslim students learn a great
deal about their own history (something that public schools have failed
to teach), and other great cultural heritage of their past.
They soon learn to become proud of being black, and this personal
self-esteem can be noticed quickly by an outsider observing the behavior
of an adult Muslim.
At the Detroit university, future leaders of Islam attend classes
50 weeks a year, and students start learning Arabic while in the third
grade.
Like Most Public schools, promotions come twice yearly
WHILE MUSLIM students are in school 50 weeks a year, they get a vacation
during the last week in June, and again toward the end of February –
which is the time of annual convention of Muhammad’s Temples of Islam.
Promotions come in June and February of each year.
HIGH SCHOOL students talk about everyday teenage topics after lunch in
Temple No. 1 Luncheonette next-door to school.
STUDENT’S LUNCHEONETTE, operated by Muslims, is a favorite meeting
place for Muslim and non-Muslim high school students
DETROIT SCHOOL goes to 10th grade and is accredited to 12th. They get
same national holidays as public school.
VISUAL TOOLS are generously used by instructors to get lessons across to
pupils at the Detroit Muslim school.
MUSLIM-OWNED BUSES provide transportation to and from the University of
Islam. Vehicles are clearly identified as school buses, carry safety
slogans, and huge letters saying “Muhammad’s University of Islam” on the
sides.
“YOU MUST TEACH and train your boys and girls in your own schools and
colleges,” Mr. Muhammad has said. “And keep your children, especially,
your little girls, from mixing with white children. When you do this,
then your own people who are the ‘original people’ of the ‘Human
Family’ will respect you as a Nation.”
Critics of Elijah Muhammad’s teachings usually remain silent when a
yardstick is taken to measure the effectiveness of a Muslim school, as
compared to any other school attended by so-called Negro children. The
silence is understood when it is noted that public schools are
“blackboard jungles” over-ridden with juvenile delinquents who smoke
cigarettes, marijuana chew tobacco, drink alcoholics, curse, fight and
murder.
These problems are conspicuously missing from the Detroit and
Chicago University of Islam — or any other phase of Muhammad’s religious
movement.
However, the enemies of Muhammad’s work purposely omit these
startling facts when appraising the Muslim leader’s activities. Only a
few bold editors have been brave enough to tell the truth about the
universities’ education and character-building program.
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