HomeNews Muslim Leader Warith Deen Mohammed Dies in Chicago
Tuesday, 09 September 2008
MPAC Mourns Passing of Imam WD Mohamed
(Washington, DC - 9/9/08) -- The Muslim Public Affairs Council mourns the passing of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, who led a community of tens of thousands and founded an organization called The Mosque Cares.
Mohammed passed away in his Chicago home this morning at the age of 74, according to family members.
"We share our condolences with the family of Imam Mohammed," said MPAC Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati. "We hope to pay respect to his lifelong service to God by continuing the work of sharing authentic Islamic teachings and encouraging Muslims to serve others in their communities."
After the death of his father, Elijah Muhammad, Imam Mohammed guided tens of thousands of followers of the Nation of Islam from a theology rooted in black nationalism into the folds of mainstream Islam which rejects racial and ethnic separation.
Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council is an American insitution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim of Muslim American. MPAC offices are located in Washington, DC, New York City and Los Angeles.
Imam Warith Deen Muhammad Passes Away Today in Chicago
Imam Warith Deen Muhammad passed away today on Tuesday, the 9th of September, also the 9th of (the Islamic month of) Ramadan in Chicago at the age of 74. We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and the entire community, for whom his passing is a great loss. May God shower him with His mercy and blessings.
Masjid Waritheen will be hosting a community gathering to commemorate his life and pray for him tonight at Iftar (fast-breaking) time around sunset. All are welcome to come and share in a potluck meal and remember his life and contributions. Masjid Waritheen is located at 1652 42nd Ave. in Oakland.
Remembering Imam W. D. Muhammad: His Life & Accomplishments
Imam Warith Deen Muhammad was born October 30, 1933 to parents Elijah (Poole) Muhammed and Clara (Evans) Muhammad. He is best known as the leader responsible for moving thousands of members of the Nation of Islam into mainstream Islam. His father, Elijah Muhammad, was the founder and head of the Nation from 1934 until his death in 1975, when Warith Deen was given the leadership of the organization. Immediately he brought about many reforms to the organization, bringing the followers of the Nation of Islam towards traditional Islam, and renaming the organization a number of times. He rejected the literal meaning of his father's theology and separatist views, and with his new understanding, based on his life long study of the Qu'ran and the life of the Prophet Muhammad (p), he accepted all races as fellow worshippers and attempted to forge closer ties with mainstream Muslim communities. Today most of his followers view themselves as part of the worldwide Muslim community and have accepted traditional Islam.
His accomplishments are too numerous to enumerate, but include the following:
Imam Waritheen Deen Muhammad gave the first invocation by a Muslim in the Senate, and in 1993, delivered an Islamic prayer during the first Inaugural Interfaith Prayer Service of President Bill Clinton, and again in 1997 at the second Interfaith Prayer Service. In 1995, he was selected as a President of the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP), and addressed its Governing Board in Copenhagen, Denmark. The same year he delivered the Keynote Address at the Muslim-Jewish Convocation, the first serious public dialogue between top leaders of Islam and Reformed Judaism, addressed an event by Forbes Magazine officials on the topic "How Do We Save Our Youth?"
In 1996, Imam W. D. Muhammad led a delegation of Muslims to The Vatican in Rome, Italy, where he met with Pope John Paul II. He also led a delegation of Muslim Americans to Jerusalem and areas under rule of the Palestinian Authority led by Palestinian leader, President Yasser Arafat, visiting Palestinian cities, government agencies, hospitals and homes throughout the West Bank. In 1997, President Clinton, in his re-election Inauguration, invited him to the White House for the 1st Annual Ecumenical Breakfast, and requested him to read from the Holy Qur´an at the Presidential Inauguration Day National Prayer Service.
In 1999, on stage with Pope John Paul II and The Dalai Lama he addressed a gathering of 100,000 at the Vatican. He participated in the Jubilennium Interfaith Conference for World Peace and the World Conference on Religion and Peace Assembly VII where he was elected as an International President in the U. S. for WCRP. In 2000, he was appointed to the executive Committee of Religious Alliance Against Pornography (RAAP). In 2002, he was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. International Board of Preachers at Morehouse College, in Atlanta, Georgia, where his portrait hangs in the International Chapel of Non-Violent Religious Leaders. As an International President of WCRP, he participated in the Conference of Religious Leaders Addressing the Devastation on Africa from HIV/Aids held in Nairobi, Kenya.
Imam W. D. Muhammad has lectured at universities and communities throughout the United States, and has worked tirelessly to build a community that measures up to the ideals and teaching of authentic Islam, as well as to forge bridges with other faiths and communities. His record of promoting a true understanding of Islam within and outside the faith, and his efforts and contributions towards engendering respect for Islam and between faiths merited him countless awards and is an inspiration to those who knew and didn’t have a chance to know him. May God reward him the best of rewards.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, ING is a national educational outreach organization with affiliates and partners in 20 states, Canada and the United Kingdom. ING promotes interfaith dialogue and education about world religions and their contributions to civilization by annually delivering thousands of presentations and other educational programs in schools, universities, law enforcement agencies, corporations, healthcare facilities, and community centers. Reaching hundreds of groups and tens of thousands of individuals a year at the local, grassroots level, ING is building bridges among people of all faiths.
MSA National Mourns the Passing of Imam W.D. Mohammed
(Washington, DC 9/9/08) MSA National mourns the passing of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed. A much loved and admired Muslim leader, Imam W.D. Mohammed died today at the age of 74.
Imam W.D. Mohammed was the pivotal figure in leading followers of the Nation of Islam to mainstream Islam, creating the largest demographic of Muslims in the United States. His subtle leadership, strong work ethic, and unshakeable faith inspired millions of people in the United States to break the divisive barriers of ethnicity and religion; a goal he quite literally dedicated his entire life to achieve. He succeeded in breaking down many barriers; Imam W.D. Mohammed was the first Muslim to give an invocation speech to the US Senate in 1993. He also led the Interfaith Prayer Service on two separate occasions during the Clinton Administration.
During his life, MSA National was privileged to work with Imam W.D. Mohammed on several occasions. In the 1970's MSA National established The Islamic Teaching Center, with a focus to train African American Imams. MSA National also worked with Imam W.D. Mohamed to facilitate access to Qur'ans and other materials for African American Muslims. Sr. Asma Mirza, current President of MSA National, met with Imam W.D. Mohammed this summer. "He spoke fondly of his experience with MSA National," she stated, "He was happy to see Muslim youth still working for a better tomorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Character reflects actions, and Imam W.D. Mohammed was no exception. Aside from his high profile life of public service, the Imam touched lives and led by example on a personal level. Dr. Jamilah Karim grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and attended the Islamic school built in his name. "I grew up hearing about his legend," she said, but didn't fully appreciate the Imam's contributions until pursuing her graduate courses in Islamic Studies, where she became "a student and an observer". She also discussed with fervor how he "showed me what it meant to be a Muslim in America". When Dr. Karim began attending lectures by the Imam she was taken back on how he carried himself in such a humble way, but at the same time "had a certainty and faith about the special role he had leading his community."
Imam W.D. Mohammed was a man who did not rest easy at night knowing the challenges faced by his community. He worked with all his heart and soul to bring together not only the Muslim community, but the American people. His influences will be far reaching, and not limited to the history books. Imam Warith Deen Mohammed will be dearly missed, and his example not soon forgotten.
Inna lillahiwainnailayhi raji'un. Verily we come from God and to Him we return.
The MSA National 2008-2009 Executive Committee
The Mosque Foundation Community Mourns the Passing of Imam W. Deen Muhammad
The Mosque Foundation, along with the Muslim community throughout the U.S, mourns the loss of a great American Muslim Leader, a courageous man, and relentless fighter for Justice and Truth, Imam W. Deen Muhammad.
Imam Jamal Said, the Imam and Director of the Mosque Foundation said, "Today we have lost a dear brother and a great leader, may Allah bestow His Mercy to the soul of the Imam and to his family and followers everywhere."
Imam W. Deen Muhammad will be missed by the Muslim community in Chicago. He was well respected by Muslims throughout the world and by all faith groups in the U.S. He was a servant of Islam; humble, sincere, warm-hearted, and a true follower of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
"The whole Muslim community in the U.S has lost a great leader today, we convey our deepest sympathy to the family of the Imam and his community, your loss is our loss," said Zaher Sahloul, the president of the Mosque Foundation.
The Mosque Foundation serves the spiritual, religious and communal needs of area Muslims by means of nurturing their faith, upholding their values, and fostering the wellbeing of the community around it through worship, charity, education, outreach, and civic engagement.
CAIR Offers Condolences on Death of Imam W. Deen Mohammed
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/9/2008) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is offering its condolences to the family of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, a national leader of the American Muslim community who died today in Illinois.
Imam Mohammed, 74, was the son of Elijah Muhammad, the founder of the Nation of Islam. After his father’s death in 1975, Imam Mohammed led his community to mainstream Islam. He recently presided over a national Islamic convention in Michigan attended by thousands of American Muslims.
Known for his calm and dignified demeanor, Imam Mohammed was a champion of Islamic education, individual and community self-reliance, civil rights, and improved interfaith relations.
“We belong to God and to Him we return,” said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. “Imam Mohammed’s spiritual leadership will be greatly missed by the American Muslim community, but his legacy will live on in all those who benefited from his knowledge and guidance.”
“CAIR’s board and staff nationwide are particularly grateful for Imam Mohammed’s wisdom and support over the years and we offer our heartfelt condolences to his family,” said Awad.
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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