Final answer:
The Nation of Islam is a significant yet small religious movement among African Americans and does not represent the majority of African American Muslims. Most African American Muslims adhere to Sunni Islam, which is the largest Islamic denomination worldwide. The NOI is known for its conservative values, and the famous association with Malcolm X, whose views evolved over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that most African American Muslims belong to the Nation of Islam is not accurate. The Nation of Islam (NOI) is indeed a significant religious movement among African Americans, but it is a small religious sect compared to the overall number of African American Muslims in the United States. The NOI was established in 1930 and gained considerable attention during the civil rights movement, especially for its teachings under Elijah Muhammad and the influence of prominent leaders such as Malcolm X. However, it's important to note that the majority of African American Muslims align with Sunni Islam, which is the largest denomination within the Islamic faith globally.
Contrary to the notion of the Nation of Islam representing most African American Muslims, statistics show that roughly 50,000 African-American Muslims are members of the NOI, a number that pales in comparison to the estimated 2.6 million Muslims living in the United States. The NOI's conservative and separatist principles, characterized by a call for Black ownership of businesses and traditional gender roles, set it apart from mainstream Sunni Islam, which makes up about 80% of the global Muslim population. Malcolm X was perhaps one of the most famous members of the NOI, advocating for the separation of races, although his views evolved towards the end of his life after adopting a more inclusive perspective during his pilgrimage to Mecca and his experiences with orthodox Islam.