Muslim West Detroit: Black Neighborhood Institutions and Their Legacies

Abstract

African American Muslim leaders in West Detroit are working in concert with local mosques and Muslim-led institutions to address the socioeconomic problems faced by low-income Detroit residents in their areas. Their modes of philanthropy reflect national trends, as Black Muslim institutions historically have demonstrated high levels of neighborhood stewardship. This ethnographic study discusses how leaders affiliated with three West Detroit mosques and associated institutions propagate this tradition of localized care. These mosques and institutions are situated in contiguous neighborhoods, comprising an area that is lacking sufficient access to capital investment and state services. The philanthropy of these Detroit-based African American Muslims is taking on a growing urgency with the progress of Detroit’s neoliberal development plans, which further marginalize low-income neighborhoods. The community-building efforts of African American Muslims offer a counter-balance to forces that are further stratifying Detroit and represent a source of hope for racial justice in the city.