Summary

“The Spider” begins with the main character, Omar, talking about how Brather Lateef, a high-ranking member of the World Community of Islam in the West, an organization that splintered off from the Nation of Islam, has convened its purchasing committee’s quarterly meeting at a downtown hotel in order to lend it the appearance of legitimacy. Omar recounts how Qasim Abdul-Rahman, Lateef’s second-in-command, has just won the lottery several days ago. The other members in the room at the hotel make fun of Qasim for gambling and “violating the commands of God” before Lateef shows up (54). A businessman enters with Lateef and pitches them on a business opportunity as a spokesperson for leather tanneries in Morocco. Apparently, the Messenger of the Nation of Islam has died, and his son is at the forefront of the new organization now...