Muslim Student Association presents ‘Blood Brothers’ documentary discussion on Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali

By The Argo on March 3, 2025

Written for The Argo by Iman Ahmed.

On February 26, the Muslim Student Association held a documentary discussion of the movie “Blood Brothers: Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali”. This documentary explored the role of the Nation of Islam during the Civil Rights Movement.

Muhammad speaks at the documentary discussion. Photo courtesy of Iman Ahmed.

This event was accompanied by Muhammad Deen, member of New Freedoms Work, Atlantic City Historian Lester Muhammad, and Ameer Muhammad, the grandson of Elijah Muhammad.

Ameer Muhammad explained the team effort of the Nation of Islam. He spoke about how his mother would bring people to the Mosque where Malcolm X would give dawah to the men while his mother would give dawah to the women. “Women in this community were integral. Without the support of women, there would be no Nation of Islam […] The nation was held together by the sisters,” he shared.

After the brief introduction, the screening had started. The silence throughout the room echoed as everyone was captivated by the documentary. This movie was a great watch and would be recommended to everyone who would like to learn more about Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and the Civil Rights Movement.

The event ended with a Q&A facilitated by Ameer Muhammad. Many students had engaging questions and were provided a great learning experience.

Attendees and facilitators of the event. Photo courtesy of Iman Ahmed.

Muhammad explained how the Quran, the Holy Book of Islam, was not allowed in the prisons. Due to this, Elijah Muhammad’s wife handwrote all 114 chapters of the Quran to give to her husband so he was able to read it and spread knowledge of the religion to other prisoners. This act introduced holy books into the prison system as well as Muslim Chaplaincy throughout the United States in prisons, schools, and other facilities.

Najmah Laing, first year student of Social Work and minor of Africana Studies, Event Coordinator of the Muslim Student Association, and Membership and Recruitment Chair for SET, shared her thoughts of the event: “The documentary taught me so many things that I wouldn’t have learned in a classroom. It was inspiring and opened my eyes about so many things. It was truly a moment of bridging gaps”.

The Quran says, “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allāh is the most righteous1 of you”. (Quran 49:13) (Sahih International)