“Dar ul Islam translates to mean The House of Islam.” Here at Dar-ul-Islah, we delve into a unique chapter of American Muslim history. This wasn’t just a mosque. Dar-ul-Islah was a grassroots movement. It was established primarily by African Americans in Brooklyn around 1962.
Their aim was simple yet profound. They wanted to live by Quranic teachings and the example of Prophet Muhammad. Imagine the scene at Yasin Mosque. This old three-story building on Herkimer Place became the heart of their community. Though the Mosque was named after a chapter in the Quran, the community as a whole was loosely referred to as the Dar.
The 1960s were a time of change. Islamic life in America was taking different forms. Organizations like the Moorish Science Temple and the Nation of Islam were visible. But in 1964, Malcolm X left the Nation of Islam. He sought a more orthodox practice. This meant strict adherence to the Quran and Sunnah. For many, this shift changed how they viewed Islamic faith.
Figures like Sheik Daoud Faisal and Imam Yahya Abdul Karim influenced Dar members. They adopted new practices solidifying their faith. One of the Dar’s main goals was to uplift its members. They envisioned a refuge with a place of worship, schools, and a governing body. Strict routines and policies guided their lives according to Islam.
The African Diaspora was reshaping Black identity in America. Dar-ul-Islah offered a path to dignity and self-pride. It emerged from unanswered questions and difficult circumstances. Many sought truth and justice by embracing the Islam of their African ancestors. This faith had arrived in America through slavery.
While there was no national organization, these groups moved together. They aimed to awaken the conscience of the masses. Dar-ul-Islah stood firm in its devotion to the Quran and the practices of Prophet Muhammad.
Yasin Mosque at 52 Herkimer Place became the center for communal worship. Photographer Khalil Abdulkhabir captured the movement’s most progressive years. From 1970 to 1982, he documented life in and around Yasin Mosque. His work shows the successful businesses, schools, and cultural activities that defined the community.
The Dar-ul-Islam Collection reveals a unique perspective. Abdulkhabir’s photographs avoid stereotypes. They offer dramatic and artistic portrayals of his subjects. The aim is to preserve the Dar’s place in history. It showcases the contributions of ordinary people to Islam in America.
The Bedford-Stuyvesant Dar community focused on education. Madrassah Tush-Shaheedain, a grade school near Yasin Mosque, served children. The Dar also ran a daycare and a scouts group. Through these efforts, Dar-ul-Islah left an indelible mark. It shows the strength and resilience of a community. It strived to live by its faith.