Lattif Bazzy, the founder of American Democratic Islam, is the son of the late Shaykh Kalil Bazzy, who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 1914. Shaykh Bazzy was the first imam in the Detroit metropolitan area. He was instrumental in founding the Highland Park Mosque in 1921, the Islamic Center of Detroit in 1962, and the Islamic Center of America. He died at the age of 94 after serving the Muslim community for over 75 years. The community seeded by Shaykh Bazzy is among the oldest and largest in the United States
Lattif writes,
“I cannot remember a time when I was not awakened before sunrise to eat before the break of dawn during the month of Ramadan. Over the years numerous believers came to our home to pay their respects to my dad, seek counseling, or ask him to officiate at a wedding or funeral. Often, I would sit with visitors and listen in. When a guest would leave my dad would ask me, “Baba, did you understand what we talked about?” If I said no, he would explain further.
There were a few spiritual gems he wanted to make sure I understood. One was regarding the similarities between religions. He would say: “If all of the prophets who ever lived could be in the same room at the same time there would be no disagreement.”
Another gem was a hadith reported by Imam Al-Bukhari. The hadith emphasizes Islam’s “good news” and lenience in performing the rituals of Islam, particularly when inviting others:
“يَسِّرُوا وَلَا تُعَسِّرُوا، وَبَشِّرُوا وَلَا تُنَفِّرُوا”
“Make things easy and do not make them difficult,
give glad tidings and do not make people run away from Islam.”
Indeed, my father grew into an American Imam who emphasized that the intentions of the heart are more important than adherence to ritual details. He embodied what I call today, American Democratic Islam.
Dad refused to take any form of compensation for his services. Once, the mosque delivered a brand-new automobile to our house as appreciation for his service to the community. Without a second thought he told the gentleman delivering the vehicle to take it back immediately. He followed the tradition of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, he refused any form of compensation for his services. American Democratic Islam is cut from the same cloth.
To earn a living for his family of six children, Shaykh Bazzy owned a small, patched-up fruit and vegetable truck. He delivered produce to the small mom & pop grocery stores on the west side of Detroit, (there were very few name brand grocery stores). It was a time when the milkman delivered fresh milk to your house daily, and the iceman delivered ice. We lived in an old wooden row housing building without heat and got by with a potbelly stove fueled by coal.
My brother Fouad helped him as much as possible. They would go to the Farmers Market on Jefferson each morning, purchase what his customers needed, and deliver them daily. He made it a point to finish by noon so that he could be home for prayer, followed by service to the community. Indeed, Shaykh Kalil Bazzy was a pious, simple man.
Dad acted as the ambassador for the nascent Muslim community. When dignitaries visited Detroit from Arab countries, my father hosted them and gave them a report on its progress. Though he lived a simple, modest life he was the most important diplomat in the Detroit Muslim community. Yet, as he aged, Dad humbly welcomed Shaykh Cherri and other imams to the Detroit areas and assisted them in their endeavors.
In conclusion, when asked to explain American Democratic Islam, I simply say that it is the same Islam of my father, yet modernized to meet the demands of modern life. The most salient differences are:
- We differ in that we are a philanthropic organization that funds mosques, churches, and synagogues. We do what banks refuse to do – fund religious establishments. We acquire a place of worship, then teach our proprietary business plan of sharing facilities with a second community. Sharing partners do not have to be of the same faith. Sharing a building reduces the operating cost of each community because, (1) it fractionalizes expenses, and (2) surplus revenue is redistributed to the weaker partner.
- We embrace all ideals enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. We insist on equal rights for women in all forms of endeavor. Thus, we educate and ordain female and male clergy. Equality and freedom are our drumbeat.
- We speak English instead of Arabic in our liturgy and rituals. And, we teach how to interpret the Qur’an in English by drawing from the most highly esteemed Muslim Scholars. We follow a form of exegesis that I personally have developed and used for over fifty years. It is a three-month course on how to interpret the Qur’an. We show you that the Qur’an is its own commentary.
- Lastly, we place a heavy importance on spiritual & psychological interpretation of scripture. We remind students that the Qur’an is a divine text given to enrich humanity’s three-fold nature – body, mind and spirit. The “Straight Path” incorporates all three human aspects. Also, we feel it is incumbent upon the followers of all seven major world religions to do the same. Namely, learn the historical context of their holy scripture — overlook its antiquated customs, yet retain its divine principles, then express them in contemporary modalities.
We invite Americans and immigrants alike to consider ADI’s focus on the intentions of the heart. We believe the inward life is more important simply because the inward life will shape the person’s outward maturation. As the saying goes, first in mind, then in manifestation. Indeed, to emulate Muhammad begins by studying the attributes of the heart.
I assure you that, in parallel to your heart opening, your health will improve, your relationships will become life-giving, and your financial affairs will prosper. Such is the will of Allah, The Loving One, (الوَدُودُ).
May peace and blessings be upon you.”
