"Racial and Religious Identities Collide Leaving Black Muslims Overlooked"

""Part of the reason is because people want Islam to be foreign to them - outside," she told NBCBLK. "But my ancestors built this country. I usually lead with, 'Hi, I am a descendent of enslaved Africans brought to this country by your people.'"

Rashad, who works as the interfaith fellow and Muslim chaplain at the University of Pennsylvania, said African American Muslims are not seen as typical members of the Muslim community. Usually, African Americans are stereotypically associated with Christianity.

"Most think of the Black Church when they think of Black or African American," Rashad points out. "A third of Muslims in this country are African American."...

For Rashad, this is a moment for African Americans, whether Muslim or not, to see the connection that white supremacy has created for all groups.

"America we need to get this right. Native American genocide, racial intolerance, it all is embedded within white supremacy," she said. "We need to connect the struggles… If we are silent about any of our identities, this is not going to end well.""

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/religious-racial-identities-collide-leaving-black-muslims-overlooked-n479066