Imam W. Deen Mohammed was unanimously elected as leader of his community after the passing of his father in 1975; Elijah Muhammad, founder, leader, and builder of The Nation of Islam.
At a very early age, Imam Mohammed developed a keen scholastic interest in science, psychology and religion. He began his education, from elementary through secondary school, at the University of Islam in Chicago. Further educational pursuits took him to Wilson Junior College, where he concentrated on microbiology and to the Loop Jr. College where he studied English, history, and the social sciences. However, his primary education has come from, and through, his continued pursuit of religion and social truths.
After his father's death, Imam Mohammed was accepted by followers of the Nation of Islam as their leader. He brought about many reforms, which transitioned the followers of the Nation of Islam to mainstream (Sunni) Islam. He renamed his community a number of times. He is now the leader of a new project called The Mosque Cares, and most of his followers make up a portion of the worldwide Muslim community and have accepted Islam proper.
He rejected the literal meaning of his father's theology and Black-separatist views. For example, the Nation of Islam taught that Black people were God's original people. With his new understanding, based on his life long study of the Holy Qu'ran and the life example of Prophet Muhammad of Arabia, he accepted whites as fellow worshippers and attempted to forge closer ties with mainstream Muslim communities, and interfaith communities.
Imam Mohammed is known for his leadership, social commentary on major issues, scriptural insight into the Bible, Torah and Qur’an, and his unique ability to apply scriptural interpretation to social issues. Imam Mohammed has been recognized with numerous awards and high honors.
In 1992, he delivered the first Invocation in the U.S. Senate to be given by a Muslim. In 1993 he gave an Islamic Prayer at President William Jefferson Clinton’s first Inaugural Interfaith Prayer Service, and again in 1997 at President Clinton’s second Inaugural Interfaith Prayer Service. His strong interest in interfaith dialogue led him to address the Muslim-Jewish Conference on March 6, 1995, with leaders of Islam and Reform Judaism in Glencoe, IL. In October of 1996, Imam Mohammed met Pope John Paul, II, at the Vatican, at the invitation of Archbishop William Cardinal Keeler and the Focolare Movement. He met with the Pope again, on October 28, 1999, on the “eve of the New Millennium†in St. Peter’s Basilica with many other world-religious leaders.
In 1997, the Focolare Movement presented him with the “Luminosa Awardâ€, for promoting Interfaith Dialogue, peace, and understanding in the U.S. This past April, 2005, Imam Mohammed sent a delegation of Imams to a Muslim-Christian in Dialogue First Symposium given by the Catholic based Focolare Movement. The focus was, “Who is G-d for us? “ This program occurred after the recent inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI.
In 1999, Imam Mohammed served on the Advisory Panel for Religious Freedom Abroad, formed by Secretary of State Madeline Albright. He assisted in promoting religious freedom in the United States and Abroad.
In April, 2005, Imam Mohammed participated in a program that featured, “A Conversation with Imam W. Deen Mohammed and Cardinal George of the Catholic Archdiocese.
Imam W. Deen Mohammed represents African American Muslims as well as all Muslims in North America. His honorary doctorates, mayoral, and gubernatorial proclamations give testament to his recognized voice, and the benefit of his leadership to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. He was appointed to the World Supreme Council of Mosques because of the value of his work and leadership in America.
Today, the dignity and world recognition Imam Mohammed has generated is seen as he visits with kings and presidents of vast countries, and with world religious leaders such as Pope John Paul, II, Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama and many more.Header Banner Made with MyBannerMaker.com! Click here to make your own!
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