Black Muslims

A black separatist movement in the USA, founded in 1930 by W D Fard, Elijah Muhammad (1925–75); also known at different times as the Nation of Islam, the American Muslim Mission, and the World Community of Islam in the West. The movement holds that black Americans are descended from an ancient Muslim tribe. Members of the movement adopted Muslim names, avoided contact with whites, and demanded a separate state for blacks, and reparation for injustices. Malcolm X (né Little) was one of their foremost preachers, while Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) is undoubtedly the most famous member of the movement. They now repudiate their early separatism, and have adopted orthodox Muslim beliefs.

Black Muslims may refer to a number of different religious and ethnic groups.