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Here are some more information for Color Day:

Mohammad Was the First Who Banned Colorism

Colorism is a famous international phenomenon of discrimination, where human beings are accorded different socio- economic status and treatment based on their skin color. White supremacy is a man made belief that those whose skin color is "white" are the superior or the master race.

The root of Colorism

For many scholars, though, the mysterious story in Genesis (9) describing how Noah cursed the descendants of his son Ham with servitude remains a way to discover the complex origins of the concept of Colorism

Genesis 9:18-27

18 The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.) 19 These were the three sons of Noah, and from them came the people who were scattered over the earth. 20 Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21 When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father's nakedness and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father's nakedness. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father's nakedness.24 When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said, "Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers." 26 He also said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the slave of Shem. 27 May God extend the territory of Japheth; may Japheth live in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be his slave."

Ham came to be widely described as a black person.

By the 19th century, many historians have the same opinion; the belief that African-Americans were descendants of Ham was a primary explanation for slavery among Christians.

However, the Negro Peoples fought for their rights.

The document of the: “Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World.” Has been produced in 1920

In June 1963, USA President John F. Kennedy said:

"The Negro baby born in America has about one-half as much chance of completing a high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospects of earning only half as much".

Two years later, President Lyndon B. Johnson's said at June 1965

"In far too many ways American Negroes have been another nation: deprived of freedom, crippled by hatred, the doors of opportunity closed to hope."

Moreover, Recent News (between 2000-2004) reported that The European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC), argues that it is no longer acceptable to use skin color as an attribute to distinguish people,

Arabs and Colorism before Islam:

Before Islam, Colorism was widespread among the Arabs. The black person was inferior and most of the slaves were black and they had no human rights.

How did Mohammad ban Colorism?

It is known that the main sources of Islam are 1)the Noble Quran and 2) the sayings or the acts of the Prophet Mohammad.

How did the Quran ban Colorism?

One Creator and one origin:

This is based on the verse of the Noble Quran

[Surah 4: 1] the meaning of which is translated as:

“Oh mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, Who created you from a single Person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women; fear Allah, through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you”.

It means that all men are the creatures of one Allah Who created man from one origin (Adam and Eve). Therefore, men are all equal. Any discrimination based on color, class, race, or territory is unfounded and illusory. It is a remnant of the days of ignorance that chained men down to servitude. Humanity is one single family under Allah, and there can be no sanction for those barriers.

Also, Allah Created Man as an honored creature:

[Surah 17: 70] "We have honored the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors, above a great part of Our Creation."

Quran honored man and removes all the impositions of barriers and classes among the members of the Islamic society in order to enable them to enjoy and practice their legitimate rights. No color discrimination of any type is allowed in Islam.

The difference in colors is a sign of Allah the Almighty

[Surah 16: 13] "And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colors (and qualities): verily in this a Sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude)."

[Surah 30: 22] "And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors; verily in that are Signs for those who know."

[Surah 35: 28] "And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colors. Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge: for Allah is exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving."

This means that the differences in our colors, plants colors, animals' colors are signs from the Great Creator, Allah the Almighty.

Who is the honored of you in the sight of Allah?

[Surah 49: 13] "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full Knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things)."

The differentiation between individuals in the Sight of Allah is based on their levels of piety, righteousness, compliance of the Commands of Allah.

Islam declares all people equal in terms of human values. The only distinction between people is on the basis of service that the individual presents to his society and community.

Mohammad said:

"O people! Your God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a white person is not better than a black person and a black person is not better than a white person, except in piety. "

The practical lesson:

It is also reported that one of the Companions of Mohammad (named Abu Tharr) who was white once said to black slave who served him, calling him as follows:

"Oh you are the son of the black woman".

Upon hearing this call, Mohammad turned to Abu Tharr and said to him immediately: “Are you insulting this man with his own (black) mother? Truly, you still possess some of the ignorance of the pre-Islamic era. It is over. It is over. There is no virtue or merits for the son of the white woman over the black woman except for piety and righteousness or good deeds and actions”.

Abu Tharr upon hearing the comment of Mohammad put his head down on the ground for his slave servant to come and step with his black foot on his head although Mohammad did not command him to do so. Abu Tharr felt very bad and regretted what he did and that was the reason that urged him to lay his head on the ground for his black slave servant to step on it in retaliation and revenge for what he, the master, attacked his servant with. Moreover, Abu Tharr wanted to discipline himself in a hard and humiliating way so as he would never repeat such a sin in the future.

Since this practical lesson, Muslims had never practiced Colorism.

Also, Mohammad at His final sermon said:

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I don't know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have right over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. You know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone."

Back to the history, we have two views:

The first view was in the Christian countries e.g. USA and Europe where Colorism was a big problem.

The second view was in the Islamic countries where such a problem is not present because of the Noble Quran and the teachings of the last Prophet Mohammad, the first man on earth who banned Colorism. Is not shameful that the History ignores this fact?

About the Author

Safaa Abdel-Aziz
Co-Chief Editor,
October Weekly Magazine,
Cairo, Egypt.

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