The Nur-Allah Islamic Center will host a weekend of events in November, including a panel discussion, book signing and Parents Appreciation Banquet.
The panel on “Islam’s Contribution to the African American Freedom Struggle” will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11, 12 p.m., at the Center for Black Literature and Culture (CBLC) in the Central Library, followed by a book signing. The 31st annual Parents Appreciation Banquet will be held at Martin University on Sunday, Nov. 12 from 4-7 p.m. Martin University President Dr. Sean Huddleston is the keynote speaker for the banquet and author Dr. Khalilah Ali Camacho is the featured speaker.
Camacho, former wife of world-famous boxer Muhammad Ali, will sign copies of her new memoir, “Undefeated: The Untold Story,” at the CBLC on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 2:30-4 p.m., following the panel discussion. This event is free and open to the public.
“The Nur-Allah Islamic Center chose to have Dr. Khalilah Ali Camacho as our featured speaker because of her upbringing in a home with two strongly faithful parents who demonstrated for Khalilah excellent parental love and skills that she had to lean heavily upon during her struggles as a parent, especially with a high profile man such as Muhammad Ali during his most challenging years,” said Imam Michael Saahir.
Camacho and Ali married in 1967 and had four children: daughter Maryum, twin daughters Jamillah and Rasheda, and son Muhammad Ali Jr. Throughout their marriage, Camacho said her deep roots in Islam served as a guide to the boxer who was a world-class athlete and showman.
“But he didn’t know how to be a Muslim and to fight for Islam and stand up for his beliefs. That, I had to teach him,” said Camacho in a televised interview with “The Sisaundra Show.”
The pair were married during Ali’s controversial decision not to fight in the Vietnam War due to his views on the country’s mistreatment of African Americans. They divorced in 1977. In “Undefeated,” Camacho provides an inside view of her marriage to Ali, their challenges and triumphs, and the circumstances that eventually lead to their divorce; she went on to marry two more times. Camacho is the main speaker at the Parents Appreciation Banquet.
Saahir says the banquet is an opportunity to appreciate and unite parents from multiple religions and races.
“The goal of our annual Parents Appreciation Banquet is to honor all parents and the sacred role of parenting,” said Saahir. “Over the last 30 consecutive years this banquet has honored Muslim, Christian and Jewish parents for their outstanding achievement as parents.”
Proceeds from the banquet will support the Clara Mohammed Weekend school and other activities at the mosque.
Tickets for the banquet are available for purchase and start at $15.
The Center for Black Literature and Culture is located in the Central Library at 40 E. St. Clair St. Martin University is located at 2186 N. Sherman Dr.
For more information, call 317-753-3754 or visit the website at nurallah.org.
Contact Editor-in-Chief Camike Jones at 317-762-7850.