American Muslim Leader Imam W.D. Muhammad dies

From: http://www.islamicity.com/

By: Niraj Warikoo

Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, a major Islamic leader in the U.S. who led thousands of African-American Muslims to orthodox Islam, died today in Illinois, according to local Muslims and his nephew. He was 74.Born and raised in Hamtramck, Mohammed, also known as Imam W.D. Mohammed, was the son of Nation of Islam leader and Michigan native Elijah Muhammad. After his fatherÕs death, Mohammed transformed the Nation from a black nationalist organization into a group that embraced a more mainstream Islam that rejected racial and ethnic divisions. He was considered to be the biggest Muslim leader in the U.S. among African-Americans and probably had more followers than any other Muslim leader in the U.S., say Muslims. In metro Detroit, Muslims were stunned to hear of his death. He had just spoken ten days ago at a Detroit convention of his followers. During his Friday sermon, he repeatedly praised Jesus and stressed the importance of living a moral life.
"To us, he was more than just an imam and a teacher. He was a father figure for us," said Dawud Walid, an assistant imam at Masjid Wali Muhammad, which was named by Mohammed after he left the Nation of Islam. "History will show that he has been thus far the greatest Muslim leader in the history of America."Walid was a student of Mohammed and was shocked to hear of his death. "From God we come, and to him we return," said MohammedÕs nephew, Sultan Muhammad. "Imam W.D. MohammedÕs passing is a great loss not only to Muslims in America and around the world, but in particular to his family. We would ask for prayers for him.""He was a reviver of the religion," said Imam Abdullah El-Amin, head of the Muslim Center in Detroit. "He saved a lot of lives, including mineÉHe brought a whole lot of people to the correct worship of Islam, almost with just a wave of his hand."Kyle Ismail, 35, a Muslim leader from Chicago, said he spoke today with MohammedÕs daughter, Laila Mohammed, who told him that her father had died. "He gave us everything," said Ismail, who just saw Mohammed on Saturday. After Mohammed broke from the racial teachings of the Nation of Islam, Minister Louis Farrakhan then later broke away from Mohammed and formed his own separate group. While Farrakhan often got more media attention, Mohammed attracted a greater number followers, according to his supporters. On Aug. 29, Mohammed spoke to thousands inside a hall in Cobo Center."He's a superb leader," said Nadir Ahmad, 58, of Detroit, before his lecture. "He has a sober message of good morals, but also a commonsense approach to life and religion."In his talk, Mohammed urged personal responsibility and praised Jesus and Muhammad, Islam's founder, saying both were great teachers.He stood on the podium slightly hunched over, a compact man with glasses and a modest brown suit who spoke in measured tones."We all ... should be trying to be Christlike," he said.Ahmad said Mohammed "has always called for cooperation between faiths."
Niraj Warikoo writes for the Detroit Free Press. He can be reached at warikoo@freepress.com


Blogger Comment:

1- God bless the soul of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, I heared very good things about him even when I was in Egypt many years ago before I came to America.

2- Nation of Islam no doubt is a great movement. It was formed when Afro-Americans were quite oppressed. Now they are not oppressed they are just not socially supported by the government like most of us. Please read my Taman Health Plan in my blog to know how real social support look like.

3- Louis Farrakhan (born Louis Eugene Walcott, May 11, 1933), is the Supreme Minister of the Nation of Islam (NOI) is a great man. I feel for him and the Afro-Americans for the injustices against them. However, it is time now to hold hands to people who are willing to change our destiny to the better. The Mahdi we are waiting for is not an Imam, not superman or spiderman he will be down to earth guy that God will give him the wisdom to communicate his message to people and create the just governments. Jesus second coming is very close like many Christians ministers think. I do not know the future and I never said that God spoke to me or he sent me angels. I am another guy in the web.