Discounted by her religion and often disregarded because of her race, many African American Muslim women struggle for identity. Grappling with the tightening bonds of racism, both from past and present wounds, she remains further hidden from view. As Black History Month draws to a close, I can’t stop thinking of Hagar. Once forgotten and discarded, she, too, wrestled with her plight.

The hope of Genesis 16 is my deepest prayer for the world’s every Muslim woman, and it rings truer still for the African American woman today. After her encounter with the Lord God in the desert, Hagar, once unseen and unknown, boldly proclaimed,

I have now seen the One who sees me. (verse 13)

Would you join me in prayer for these precious women—created in the image of God—to soon understand that they are known and seen by the very God who gave His Son to die for them? That they are known and seen by the very God who longs to embrace them for all eternity upon their confession in faith that Jesus is the Son of God who was crucified, buried, and raised to life again?

Please pray that every African American Muslim woman would find her identity solely in the love of Jesus Christ. May she be rooted and established in Him according to Ephesians 3:17-19, while understanding the height and depth of Christ’s love for her.

Pray that strategic outreaches would begin and grow at deeper levels among African American Muslim women, addressing every felt need in their communities and families. Please intercede for breakthrough in the family structures that drive many Black women to seek the defined roles within Islam. May they encounter life-giving Truth from the Word and the Body of Christ instead.

For a great resource on Black Islam and a deeper dive into several key factors that have led African Americans to convert to Islam, please check out this blog series from our friends at Global Initiative.

*The following resources informed this article:

Identifying a Space for Young Black Muslim Women in Contemporary Britain

Ellis, Carl. S.O.S. Saving Our Sons: Confronting the Lure of Islam with Truth, Faith, and Courage