Akbar Muhammad, the International and African Representative of Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam has passed away. Akbar Muhammad began his journey into Islam in New York City in the early 1960’s under the tutelage of Malcom X. Later, under the leadership of Minister Louis Farrakhan he became one of his top administrators and roving organizers. When Minister Farrakhan embarked upon rebuilding the Nation of Islam in the late 1970’s…Akbar Muhammad joined him in this noble cause, ultimately rising to the position of “International and African Representative” and he relocated to Accra, Ghana as part of his commitment to the Nation of Islam and the African Liberation Movement. It was in Ghana that Brother Akbar used his vast knowledge of Africa and its’ diaspora to organize on the frontlines of African leaders namely President Jerry Rawlings of Ghana and Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi of Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
Brother Akbar Muhammad the organizer, was a key catalyst in creating a platform at the widely attended Saviours” Day workshop sessions particularly in the 1980’s were the Nation was able to platform some of the giants of the Black Liberation Struggle. Consistent contributors and scholars that Brother Akbar galvanized were Kwame Ture, Dr. Conrad Worrill (National Black United Front), Dr. Iva Carruthers (NEIU), Steve Cokely, Jetu Weusi (NBUF), Chokwe Lumumba and Omari Obadele (Republic of New Africa), Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm (NY) and a host of other scholars and activist. The Muslim Street spoke with frequent contributor and freind of the Muslims, Rev Al Sampson of Chicago upon the news of Brother Akbar’s passing…”Brother Akbar was a great man. We worked feverishly together organizing the Million March March in 1995 towards its’ ultimate success. He will be greatly missed.”
Finally, Brother Akbar served as a scholar to thousands that he mentored around the world. We are reminded by the authentic hadith as Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, Allah does not withhold knowledge by snatching it away from his servants, but rather he withholds knowledge by taking the souls of scholars, until no scholar remains and people follow ignorant leaders. They are asked and they issue judgments without knowledge. Thus, they are astray and lead others astray.”
-Malik Aziz, Editor in Chief (The Muslim Street)
