In this poignant and timeless message delivered as a Friday Sermon on October 16th, 1987, Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih IV(rta) addresses the root of racial prejudice and discrimination. Popularly referred to as “The Detroit Address,” Huzoor(rta) uses the lens of the Holy Quran to analyze the causes of poverty, racism, and prejudice.
He addresses the problem of race relations between African Americans and Pakistanis by drawing lessons from the story of Prophet Nuh(as) [Noah]. As he discusses the cultural challenges affecting each race in the US, he explains that both groups are vulnerable to the same spiritual disease which manifests in different ways.
Huzoor(rta) applies the teaching of the Holy Quran to develop and offer tools to cure this disease. He urges that we must learn to openly embrace the poor and marginalized with the loving message of Islam.
This sermon was originally translated into English by Maulana Mubasher Ahmad, M.A., LL.B., and is being reprinted with minor grammatical edits.
Wasalaam,
Bilal Rana
Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya,
United States of America, June 9th, 2018