New Leadership New Legacies

Image of the cover of Jet Magazine with W. D. Muhammed depicted, standing at a podium.
Cover of Jet Magazine with W.D. Muhammed. August 14th, 1975. “New Muslim Leader Charts Interracial Future of His Nation.” Courtesy of The Library of Congress.

In 1975, after the death of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the Nation of Islam members unanimously accepted the son of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Warith Deen Muhammed, as their new leader. However, much of his teachings differed from his father’s. He favored a more traditional Islam including following the five pillars of faith and the life example of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), studying Al-Quran, as well as learning Quranic Arabic. He respected all persons as members of one humanity regardless of racial identity. Furthermore, he advised his followers to remember those fighters for justice who came before, and to reverence the womb that bore them.

Image of an issue of the front of the Muhammad Speaks newspaper. "Religion Means Alive"
Cover of Muhammad Speaks newspaper. “Religion Means Alive, describing transition of leadership. July 4th, 1975. Courtesy of the Nation of Islam Historical Archives Online. To read full issue, go here.
Image of the inside of the Muhammad Speaks newspaper.
Article continued…issue of Muhammad Speaks newspaper, July 4, 1975 – Volume 14 No. 43 “Religion Means Alive, describing transition of leadership. Courtesy of the Nation of Islam Historical Archives Online. To read full issue, go here.

Over the course of his time as a leader, from 1975 until his death in 2008, Imam W.D. Muhammed became known as America’s Imam, and as an international religious leader and scholar who was respected for his work, vision, logic and language. He championed education, business, trade, self-sufficiency, human dignity, and moral excellence.

A video depicting the relationship between Imam W.D. Muhammed and Chiara Lubich, and their subsequent interfaith solidarity movements.
Brother Dr. Vincent Cornell & the late Dr. Charles Eric Lincoln (author of the seminal work The Black Muslims in America) sit down with the late Honorable Imam Warith Deen Mohammed for an in-depth interview at Duke University in North Carolina on April 16, 1992.
I.W.D.M addressed the Vatican. St. Peters Rome, October 1999. Courtesy of I.W.D.M YouTube page.

Under IWDM’s leadership, established communities in North Carolina embraced the new message and invited all to hear it. They continued improving on their educational institutions, engaged in community services and interfaith dialogue, encouraged business development & international trade, worked to secure land to build masjid facilities that would reflect their Islamic and African heritage

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Image of one Yusef Salim embracing three children while posing for a photo.

A photograph entitled “Planting Roots in the West End,” with the late jazz musician, Yusuf Salim standing with the joyful neighborhood children who were involved in Ar-Razzaq’s (formerly Muhammad’s Temple of Islam #34) Clean-Up Squad, circa 1980. The Clean-Up Squad was one of the mosque’s programs that aimed to beautify Durham’s West End neighborhood.
Image of the West End Times volume 2 number 12, summer issue 1980. Cover. "Everyone loves a clean west end! Support the clean up squad!"
The cover of a newsletter from the summer of 1980 promoting The Clean Up Squad. Courtesy of Museum of Durham History.
Image of a Carolina Times article about the clean up squad

A newspaper article from The Carolina Times, about the Clean Up Squad, August 29th, 1981. Courtesy of The Carolina Times and The Durham County Library. To read the article go here.

EDUCATION

Image of four adults (teachers and principal) and approximately 29 students posing for a group photo inside a classroom at the Clara Muhammed School in durham.
Clara Muhammad School students with principal and teachers in Durham. Circa 1984/85. Courtesy of Janice Abdullah-Ali.
Eight children stand, posing for a group photo in a school field. They are wearing uniforms of blue tunic top over white collar shirt, blue pants, and white socks, sneakers, and head coverings.
Sister Clara Muhammad Weekend School Muslim girls on a field trip to Fayetteville, North Carolina, circa 1985/86. Courtesy of Naomi Shakir Feaste.
Image of a diploma from Muhammad University of Islam for Sister Bernita X.
Muhammad University of Islam 12th grade student diploma, belonging to Sister Benita. February 20th, 1975. Courtesy of Annie Ballentine.
One adult stands to the side, posing, while three children on grass pose for a group picture during a field trip. Possibly a Balmoral Castle, based on the writing on the train in the background.
Weekend school Directress is with her students on a field trip, circa 1987. Photo by Naomi S. Feaste.
Image of a car with adults and children within. Passenger-side car door reads "Masjid Seifuddin's Sis. Clara Huammad Week-end School"
Reconstruct Family Life Car Parade with Masjid Seifuddin’s Sister Clara Muhammad Weekend School participant, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1987. Photo by Naomi Shakir Feaste.
Four adults and one child pose on a side walk for a group photo.
Muslim parent volunteers on a weekend school field trip, circa 1987. Courtesy of Naomi Shakir Feaste.

BUSINESSES

Image of street corner (Chapel Hill Street). Brick building and front doors for Sallam Cultural Center in Durham.
Sallam Cultural Center, Durham, North Carolina, 1980. Courtesy of Open Durham.
Image of an ad for Dr. Diaab's Shea Butter line. Depicts two men posing with Shea Butter products and many boxes.
Image promoting Dr. Diaab’s shea butter line, with Imam W.D.
Muhammed in the 1990s. Business was founded in Burlington, North
Carolina and is still active today. Courtesy of Dr. Douglas Diaab.
Rap song “Ain’t No Butter” featuring D. Tucker promoting Dr. Diaab’s shea butter line.