Warith Deen Muhammad

Warith Deen Muhammad was born Wallace D. Mohammed on October 30, 1933. He now known as Warith Deen Muhammad or Imam W.D. Mohammed. He is the son of Clara and Elijah Muhammad. Elijah Muhammad, also referred to as the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, founded the Nation of Islam, which preached Black Nationalism. Elijah Muhammad passed on February 26, 1975.

Related Topics:
October 30 - 1933 - Elijah Muhammad - Nation of Islam

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After his father's death, Warith Deen Muhammad was accepted by the people as their leader. He brought about many reforms, which brought the followers of the N.O.I. (Nation Of Islam) closer to mainstream Islam. He renamed his organization a number of times. He is now the leader of a new project called The Mosque Cares, and most of his followers have assimilated into mainstream Islam.

Related Topics:
Islam - The Mosque Cares

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He rejected the literal meaning of his father's theology and Black separatist views. For example, the N.O.I. taught that Black people were God's "original people." With his new understanding, he accepted whites as fellow worshipers and attempted to forge closer ties with mainstream Muslim communities, including Latino Muslims.

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A number of dissident groups resisted the changes in NOI. Among these was Louis Farrakhan who announced a revival of the Nation of Islam name for his group in 1981.

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He is the spiritual leader of an estimated 2.5 million Muslims in America. On February 6th, 1992, he gave the first invocation in the U.S. Senate ever by a Muslim. In 1993, he gave an Islamic prayer during the first Inaugural Interfaith Prayer Service of President Clinton, and again in 1997 at the second Interfaith Prayer Service.

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Currently, Imam Warith Deen Muhammad is working on fostering positive interfaith dialogue through nationwide lecturing and involvement in the Focolare movement. He also is placing a great interest on the establishment of Muslim owned businesses, schools, and communities in America.

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