Not Afraid to Stand Alone - Native Deen

Not Afraid to Stand Alone - Native Deen
Native Deen - the Muslim Hip-Hop Group Speaks Out Against Civil Rights Abuse and Terrorism

The world-renowned Muslim hip-hop group Native Deen is poised to release its sophomore album titled - Not Afraid to Stand Alone.
Ranked as one of the Top 5 bands in its genre on MySpace, Native Deen is a fusion hip-hop group. The three African-American Muslim band members, Joshua Salaam, Abdul-Malik Ahmad and Naeem Muhammad, formed Native Deen in 2000 and have been thrilling fans ever since. Originally solo artists, the trio embarked upon a professional career in the music industry together in order to highlight issues confronting Muslims living in America.
The band has inspired millions of Muslims and non-Muslims of all ages and ethnicities from around the world. Native Deen has toured more than 60 cities in America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, promoting Islam and positive inter-faith relations through its debut album, - Deen You Know.
Native Deen's decision to solely use percussion instruments throughout 'Not Afraid to Stand Alone' has lead to the creation of one of the most evocative audio efforts of the year. With powerful beats and thought-provoking lyrics, - Not Afraid to Stand Alone- will strike a chord with fans of hip-hop and R&B.
'Not Afraid to Stand Alone' really hits some core issues facing Muslims as well as people of all faiths, says Salaam. As an American-Muslim, I have a duty to try to help this society and make it a better place for all of us.
Whether it is moral issues facing our society or civil rights abuses, we must speak out to make the world a better place.
Tackling an often misconceived notion, Native Deen addresses the belief that all Muslims are anti-Semitic in nature.
As Muslims, we are taught to respect faiths,- says Ahmad. We're taught to find common ground. For instance, Judaism and Christianity share Abraham as a beloved Prophet of God.
In the song -Be at the Top, Native Deen explores the disconnect between the teachings of Islam and how non-Muslims come to accept stereotypes from messages propagated through an equally misinformed media.
You look, see black and think that I'm athletic / And you look and see I'm Muslim and you think anti-Semitic / But check it, watch what they do to your mind kid / It's all connected / You better not be blinded.
'Not Afraid to Stand Alone' also addresses the civil rights abuses Muslims are undergoing in Western societies. In the song -Still Strong, Native Deen tells the tale of a man who was detained for months without any information given to his lawyer, family or friends. However, due to his patience and faith in God, his situation improves.
It's not Islam or Christianity, it's all of humanity, the religion of vanity / Drives people to insanity, My soul and my anatomy are patient with calamity / I'll never use profanity just let me see my family.
Native Deen takes a strong stand against terrorism and violent activities. In the song -The Message, the band reminds its audience not to overlook the most dangerous of all enemies -- the Devil:
He will continue his plot, to split and divide / Have people from the same faith on opposite sides / Have people for the wrong cause willing to die / Have you kill a thousand people and not even cry.
In the track -Life's Worth, Native Deen condemns acts of violence and abuses to children that are going on in many parts of the world. In the song, a father who is a victim of violence loses his family.
"I was just horrified by watching the news and hearing how many people are killed in bombings or in fighting around the world. -Hundreds if not thousands of people at a time, everyday, says Naeem Muhammad. All I could say was how much is a life worth, if people take them so easily.