Professor Sulayman Nyang speaks at the ICNA 2010 convention about Gay Marriages, Pre-Marital Sex, Cohabitation, Single Parents and other issues in modern societies pertaining the family today.

Prof. Sulayman Nyang discusses the history of Muslims engaging in recreational and entertainment activities in light of Islam throughout history.

In a lecture to non-Muslims, Sulayman Nyang details the fascinating history of a European country ruled by Muslims which, not too long ago, was considered a wonder of the world and a major center of civilization. At the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute in New Mexico, Dr. Nyang begins with the context of Muslim Spain by discussing the Umayyid rule, its subsequent downfall and its resurrection in Al-Andulus. He then briefly outlines the events leading up to the Muslim rule in Spain, the atmosphere created by it, and the primary reason for its decline. He shows how the development, growth and contribution of Muslim Spain is not much different from modern America and its presence and influence on the world scene; a comparison that allows for a better understanding of the profound history of Muslim civilization in the West. Dr. Nyang concludes by analyzing the transformation of Muslim culture into Spain, namely the lifestyle, architecture, business dealings and knowledge. Other topics discussed: Muslims as custodians of Greek knowledge, the invention of the bank check, interfaith coexistence, Charles Martel’s victory, and the Inquisition.

In a beautiful courtyard at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute in New Mexico, Sulayman Nyang discusses the development of Islam in Africa beginning with the first migration of Muslims to Abyssinia up to their expansion into Spain. Dr. Nyang, a historian, professor and author of several books on Islam, begins by looking at how and why Islam crossed the Red Sea into Africa and how the Muslim civilization rapidly became a thriving world power. A brief historical background of Egypt is discussed in order to provide a context for understanding the spread of Islam across North Africa, and the phenomenon of “Arabization” and “Islamization” are examined as a means for the spread of Islam south of the Sahara. The speaker also covers the Berbers in Libya and their assimilation into Arab culture, the establishment of the Muslim naval power and the various Sufi movements that played key roles in this profound expansion. Other topics discussed: links between Africa and the Abrahamic faiths, Afro-Semitic people, development of trade routes, significance of gold trading, Arabtowns, conversion of African nobles, and the Al-Murabitun and Al-Muwahiddun movements. (Duration: 1 hour, 18 min)

In his patented style, Dr. Sulayman Nyang begins this lecture by contextualizing the subject matter so that the audience may understand it in a much more profound way. He relates the seerah to the present time by looking at the social, cultural, and historical context into which the Prophet (S) emerged in Arabia. He then analyzes the role and place of women in “jahiliyah” society and the transformation that was brought about by the Prophet (S), showing how the view of women shifted from the ignorant pre-Islamic times to the noble time of the Prophet (S). The traditional understanding of the family is discussed and this is compared with the concept of family today. Furthermore, the way in which men and women related to each other in the time of the Prophet (S) is examined as well as the relationship between the Prophet (S) and his wives, his daughter Fatimah, and other women. Among other things, the speaker effectively shows that women were, indeed, actively involved in the community and in the revolutionary movement of Islam in Mecca.

Sulayman Nyang, a professor at Howard University and author of “Islam in the United States of America”, identifies the periods in which Islam gradually came to the attention of the American non-Muslim society. He does this by accounting for the various waves of Muslims making their way to America and the great impact they’ve had. These “waves”, or stages of evolution of Muslims in America, are five: the Pre-Columbus explorers and settlers, the importation of slaves, emigration to the “new world”, converts and native-born Muslims, and the institutionalization of Islam in America. Delivered at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute in New Mexico, this talk provides a wealth of information in the form of names, dates and events and is an invaluable resource for any “Islam In America” enthusiast. Other topics discussed: states with large Muslim populations, the perception of Muslims as terrorists, and how Farrakhan views sunni Muslims. (Duration: 1 hour, 34 min)