Muslim ARC - Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative

On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered one of the most powerful speeches in American history: “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”

Douglass did not reject the ideals of freedom. He challenged the nation to live up to them.

While many celebrated independence, nearly four million Black people remained enslaved. Douglass exposed the contradiction between a country that proclaimed liberty while denying the humanity and freedom of millions.

His speech was more than a critique of one holiday. It was a call to examine who benefits from freedom, who remains excluded, and what justice requires of us.

More than 170 years later, his questions continue to challenge us. As we confront racism, Islamophobia, and other systems of oppression, Douglass reminds us that education is not simply about remembering history. It is about telling the truth, expanding our understanding, and building a more just future.

As part of our series, we invite you to read about the historical context of Douglass’s speech and why it still matters today.

Read the full educational resource:
https://www.muslimarc.org/july5

Ashura holds deep meaning across the Muslim tradition.
For Sunni Muslims, Ashura commemorates the day Allah saved Prophet Musa (AS) and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ fasted in gratitude and encouraged the observance of this sacred day.
For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a day of mourning and remembrance marking the martyrdom of Imam Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, at Karbala.
Though these traditions emphasize different histories, both point toward enduring values: liberation from oppression, moral courage, and the responsibility to stand for justice.
At Karbala in 680 CE, Imam Husayn refused to pledge allegiance to a ruler he believed represented injustice. Husayn and many of his companions were killed on the 10th of Muharram.
For generations, Karbala has reminded Muslims that faith is not only what we believe, but what we are willing to uphold.
Ashura teaches us:
• Courage in the face of injustice
• Principle over power
• Sacrifice for truth
• Standing firmly for justice
• Responsibility to future generations
“O you who believe, stand firmly for justice, as witnesses for Allah, even against yourselves.”
Qur’an 4:135
Today we continue to witness:
Occupation and displacement
Religious persecution
Authoritarianism
Silencing of dissent
Violence against vulnerable communities
The stories of Musa and Husayn remind us that oppression is not inevitable and that justice requires both courage and collective responsibility.
At MuslimARC, we carry these teachings forward through anti-racism education, healing spaces, leadership development, and community-rooted justice work.

https://www.muslimarc.org/carry26

On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Texas and issued General Order No. 3, announcing that enslaved people were legally free.
Juneteenth is often remembered as a single moment, but it is part of a much longer story. Freedom did not arrive all at once. It was delayed, resisted, and incomplete. Black communities continued to face violence, disenfranchisement, segregation, and exclusion long after emancipation.
For many, Juneteenth is both a celebration and a reminder. It honors the resilience of those who survived slavery, the generations who organized for civil rights and liberation, and the ongoing work of building a more just society.
As part of our series, we reflect on how struggles for Black freedom continue to shape movements for racial justice, human dignity, and collective liberation today.

Black liberation work takes many forms.
Across the diaspora, Black-led organizations are building power through faith-rooted organizing, immigrant justice, youth leadership, political education, grassroots movement-building, and community care.

This June, MuslimARC is highlighting six organizations whose work reminds us that liberation is collective, intersectional, and ongoing:

Live Free USA
Black Alliance for Just Immigration
UndocuBlack Network
Dream Defenders
Highlander Education and Research Center
Project South

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Youth Day remembers the courage of students in Soweto, South Africa, who rose up against apartheid and educational oppression in June 1976.

Their resistance reminds us that young people have always been central to movements for justice, dignity, and liberation.

As we reflect on Black diasporic struggle and solidarity, we honor the students whose courage continues to inspire movements across generations.

Muharram marks the beginning of the Hijri calendar, rooted in the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ migration to Medina.

The month is also deeply connected to Ashura, remembrance, liberation, sacrifice, valor, and moral conviction throughout Islamic history.

Muharram calls people to remain steadfast in truth, honor those who stood against oppression, and reflect on the responsibilities communities owe one another in times of hardship and injustice.

Swipe through to reflect on the lessons Muharram continues to teach us.

What does Juneteenth teach us about freedom, faith, and solidarity?
Join MuslimARC for a conversation exploring Black Liberation Theology, abolition, and the connections between spiritual traditions and movements for justice.
Featuring:
Rev. Kelvin Sauls, Interfaith Leader & Community Organizer
Sagirah Shahid, Poet, Artist & Cultural Worker
Tabari Zahir, Therapist, Chaplain & Reentry Mentor
Together, we’ll explore the legacy of Juneteenth, Black liberation traditions, faith-based resistance, and what solidarity requires in this moment.
📅 Wednesday, June 17, 2026
🕠 5:30 PM PT / 8:30 PM ET
📍 Live Online
Register: muslimarc.org/2026events

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