Should American Muslim Converts Reclaim Their Pre-Islamic Surnames: YES or NO?

Please join WORDS MAKE PEOPLE this Sunday May 8th from 1-3 p.m. (EST) for a thought-provoking conversation on: Should American Muslim Converts Reclaim Their Pre-Islamic Surnames: YES or NO?

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There is no Islamic requirement for converts to Islam to change their birth names. However, it is very common for Muslims, particularly African-American converts to change their names -- especially their surnames (last names) -- to an Islamic name.

Dating back to chattel slavery African Americans, once freed often changed their last names as one of the first steps of recognizing their freedom. In the 20th century the Honorable Elijah Muhammad spoke of the importance of earning a righteous holy name and "coming out of the slave master’s names." Also many Muslims not in the Nation of Islam, men such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar changed their names. Among the converts some only partially changed their names by keeping either their birth first names or their birth last names.

In recent years conversations have emerged suggesting that Muslims should keep our "father’s surnames regardless if these names are Islamic or Christian based. Should Muslim Converts Reclaim Their Pre-Islamic Surnames? This topic will be discussed on Sunday May 8, 2016 from 1-3 p.m. (EST).

What do you think about this topic:  Should American Muslim Converts Reclaim Their Pre-Islamic Surnames: YES or NO?

Join in this conversation by calling (714) 816-4673 --Press 1 to talk to the host. You also can listen via your internet connection sites at - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/station-iwdm/2016/05/08/should-muslim-converts-reclaim-their-pre-islamic-surnames-yes-or-no