The people of Bermuda made their voices heard loud and clear on Tuesday, and now it is time for the politicians to really listen. As the Premier acknowledged, and the people echoed: “There is much work to be done.” Indeed, there is!

Bermudians expect real progress and meaningful change. We know the leadership we need and deserve – one that serves the people with integrity, rather than seeking power for personal gain. Now, it is up to our leaders to deliver a democracy that truly puts the people first.

Righteous leaders act as caretakers of the trust given to them, ensuring that they lead with justice and fairness. Sadly, this is in stark contrast with many modern political systems where corruption and self-interest overshadow the responsibility of governance.

Allah says in His noble Koran 4:58: “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever hearing and seeing.”

This verse stresses the duty of rulers to govern with fairness with the best interests of the people at the forefront. Hopefully, that’s what we will get.

Can you believe, this is the last weekend of February, bringing Black History Month to a close? It’s been a fast and furious February for sure. I ask myself, ‘Is there a place for Black History Month in Islam?” I thought about it for a while; then said to myself, “Indeed there is!”

Black History Month, as we know is a modern observance and not a religious event, but its core themes – justice, recognition, and honouring contributions – align with Islamic values.

Islam has always emphasised the equality of all people, regardless of race, and has a rich history of Black people who played crucial roles in its development.

Muslims should be able to recognise that Allah commands equality in His creation, and evidence of this can be found in the Koran: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Koran, 49:13)

This verse highlights that superiority is based on piety, not race or lineage.

Further, we have the perfect example in Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) whom emphasised racial equality in his Farewell Sermon: “No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, and no non-Arab is superior to an Arab; no White person is superior to a Black person, and no Black person is superior to a White person – except by piety and good deeds.”

Throughout Islamic history, there have been many notable Black figures. First, Bilal ibn Rabah, formerly an enslaved Ethiopian who became Islam’s first muezzin (caller to prayer) and a close companion of the Prophet.

Then there's Usama ibn Zayd, a young Black commander chosen by the Prophet to lead an army, despite older and more experienced companions being present.

Also, we have to mention Nafisah bint Al-Hasan, a Black woman scholar of Hadith and teacher of Imam Al-Shafi’I, a prominent Islamic scholar and jurist, best known as the founder of the Shafi’i school of thought, one of the four major Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

His full name was Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi’i, and he played a crucial role in systematising Islamic legal principles, particularly in developing Usul al-Fiqh (the principles of Islamic jurisprudence).

There are those who say there should not be a specific month for Black history and I agree, it should not be necessary – but given the circumstances in which Black history was altogether left out or massively distorted, Black History Month is very much needed.

And, given the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Black communities, a time dedicated to education and awareness aligns with Islamic values of truth and justice.

Also, there is a misconception that Islam is only for Arabs and this is absolutely not true. Islam is for all of creation. Black History Month lends to a platform where we can educate, learn and teach about Black contributions to Islamic civilisation.

As well, we should reflect and address racism within Muslim communities, including colourism and anti-Black biases. We all have our part to act and bring positive awareness of the many contributions of Black people by supporting initiatives for justice and to uplift marginalised voices.

While Islam itself does not specify a Black History Month, participating in it with the intention of promoting justice, awareness, and appreciation of Black Muslim contributions aligns with Islamic principles.

I conclude by recognising the many contributions of our own daughter of the soil, Dame Lois Browne-Evans, a trailblazing Bermudian lawyer and politician who made significant contributions to advancing the rights of Black Bermudians.

In 1953, she became the first Black female lawyer in Bermuda, breaking racial and gender barriers in the legal field. She used her legal expertise to fight for justice, particularly for Black Bermudians who faced systemic discrimination.

Dame Lois played a key role in Bermuda’s civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s. She actively supported efforts to end racial segregation, particularly in public spaces like theatres and restaurants, which had previously been segregated.

In 1968, she became the leader of the Progressive Labour Party and the first woman in the Commonwealth to lead a political party’s opposition. Under her leadership, the PLP continued its fight for racial and economic equality.

She was instrumental in the fight for full voting rights for all Bermudians. Before the 1960s, property ownership was a requirement for voting, which disproportionately disenfranchised Black Bermudians. Her advocacy helped lead to electoral reforms that expanded voting rights.

In 1998, when the PLP won power for the first time, she was appointed Bermuda’s first Black female Attorney General. In this role, she worked on legal reforms and justice initiatives that benefited the Black community.

Dame Lois was a defender of the underprivileged. Throughout her career, she was known for taking cases that helped marginalised Black Bermudians. She fought against unfair laws and policies that disproportionately affected them.

Her work laid the foundation for greater political and social inclusion of Black Bermudians. She remains a symbol of resilience and justice, inspiring future generations of Black leaders in Bermuda.

We honour and celebrate the legacy of Dame Lois, a leader whose impact and inspiration continue to shape our island home.

Bermuda, may the upcoming week be filled with blessings as we prepare to enter the Holy Month of Ramadan, expected to begin on February 28 or March 1 and conclude on March 30 or March 31, depending on the Moon sighting.

May this sacred time bring us spiritual cleansing, rejuvenation, and deepened faith through fasting and prayer.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam