Douglas Ali
Anthea McGibbon, Religion Feature Co-ordinator
IN 1974, a typical 17-year-old, christened Douglas Owen, left Jamaica's shores for Florida to pursue a course of studies in law. But the tides of life navigated him elsewhere.
He is now Ambassador ImamDouglas Owen Ali, the International Ambassador of Peace with spiritual, social, economic and political responsibilities for the Universal Islamic Centre based in the United States to Jamaica and the entire Caribbean. He was elected to the task by Shaykh Tijani on behalf of the Universal Islamic Centre of America, based in Chicago, Illinois.
Born in Kingston, on April 27, 1957, Imam Ali was, in the words of a former teacher at Calabar High 'a talented idler'. In an ironic twist, his former principal and founder of Blake's Prep (now defunct), Winsome "Winnie" Wilson, 84, now describes him as 'a talented ambassador'.
He is one of a minority of Muslims who has taken a stance against the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11.
How did the aspiring lawyer who admits to "not being the most knowledgeable in Islamic matters" get to this point? Imam Ali responds that he was chosen Islamic ambassador based on "destiny and his credentials." An act of God, he says.
In 1974, Muslims propagating their faith along Florida's streets first intercepted the (non-religious) son of Anglicans. The teen who, like many others, idolised boxer Muhammad Ali then, felt the conviction. He later attended a mosque in Miami, Florida, where both Muhammad Ali and Minister Louis Farrakhan were speakers. He subsequently converted to Islam at Miami-Dade Community College.
In Florida at that time, Americans, in particular African Americans, were busy in the fight for civil rights. Imam Ali says he embraced the faith as it gave him, "a sense of self as a black man, racial dignity and a sense of community." The fullness of the faith came later in the 1990s.
Last August, Imam Ali was invited by head of the Universal Islamic Centre, by Shaykh Tijani to speak at the annual Islamic Conference, Chicago. He addressed an estimated 1,000 persons from approximately 30 countries gathering to historically celebrate the life of the holy prophet Muhammad. His speech, which stirred great controversy, subsequently led to his appointment.
His mission then and now remains to "make Islam help suffering humanity," as, "a universal life is for all people, economically and spiritually". At the Chicago conference, he asked Muslims to use their wealth, not only for the propagation of Islam, but also for humanitarian purposes particularly in the Western World.
For Imam Ali his "true evolution" is still happening. "As a Sunni Muslim, I am guided by the Holy Qura'an and the Sunnah (tradition and principles) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad". In Nigeria, at 35 whilst a Commonwealth post-graduate scholar, he learnt about the universality of Islam. Back in America he only knew how to be a "Black Muslim."
About existing differences among Jamaican Muslims, he firmly responds, "There are a lot of petty divisions, and I do not get involved with it... I go anywhere." He says that he works amicably with all three groups of Muslims (nation of Islam, the Sunni, the Shi'ites ) Christian churches and all humanity.
Though he was officially appointed in October 2001, he assumed office in January when he officially presented his credentials to the Governor-General. The Islamic Ambassador declares his mission as:
1. To secure funding from Islamic countries
2. To build the first national mosque and Islamic centre comprising a school that will be a statement of spiritual and economic progress to the world.
The founder of Global Oneness Limited, he aims through this organisation to be active in commerce and to help disenfranchised children He also intends to motivate young people to achieve a sense of personal responsibility, useful skills, intellectual and spiritual and economic empowerment.
