A COMPARATIVE STUDY of the NATION of ISLAM and ISLAM Dwi

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A COMPARATIVE STUDY of the NATION of ISLAM and ISLAM Dwi A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE NATION OF ISLAM AND ISLAM Dwi Hesti Yuliani-Sato A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS May 2007 Committee: Dr. Lillian Ashcraft-Eason, Advisor Dr. Awad Ibrahim ©2007 Dwi Hesti Yuliani-Sato All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Dr. Lillian Ashcraft-Eason, Advisor This study compares the Nation of Islam with the religion of Islam to understand the extent of its religious kinship to Islam. As with other religions, there are various understandings of Islam and no single agreement on what constitutes being a Muslim. With regard to that matter, the Nation of Islam’s (NOI) teachings and beliefs are regarded as unconventional if viewed from the conventions of Islam. Being unconventional in terms of doctrines and having a focus on racial struggle rather than on religious nurturing position the Nation of Islam more as a social movement than as a religious organization. Further, this raises a question, to some parties, of whether the NOI’s members are Muslims in the sense of mainstream Islam’s standard. It is the issue of conventional versus unconventional that is at the core of this study. The methodologies used are observation, interview, and literary research. Prior to writing the thesis, research on the Nation of Islam in Toledo was conducted. The researcher observed the Nation of Islam in Toledo and Savannah, Georgia, and interviewed some people from the Nation of Islam in Toledo and Detroit as well as a historian of religion from Bowling Green State University. The research questions are around the teachings and beliefs of the Nation of Islam in the past and today, the development of the Nation of Islam, and how its members see themselves and their organization both in relation to race relations in the United States and to Islam as a religion of Muslims worldwide. The result of the research indicates that the Nation of Islam has gradually taught the teachings of Islam as embraced by the Muslim world while continuing to hold to the iv teachings of Elijah Muhammad in contradiction with the accepted conventions of Islam. It is hoped that the research will have important implications for the American public’s view of the Nation of Islam and of Islam, to the Nation of Islam itself, and to other Muslims who do not belong to it in their understanding of each other’s differences and of the factors that lead to them. There are two implications. The first implication is to correct American people's perception of the Nation of Islam as a racist and anti-white organization (if it has changed). The second implication is to create mutual understanding and brotherhood among the Nation of Islam and other Muslims in the United States and other countries so that they can cooperate in positive activities that may help clear Islam’s image as a religion which loves peace and never suggests hatred, racialism, or even terrorism often pointed out to Islam. Hence, this thesis is aimed at the understanding of the Nation of Islam as what leads to its radical views that are often considered by the American mainstream as provoking racism and separatism. America has made the Nation of Islam as it has been. This thesis is also aimed at the mutual and dual process of learning and understanding for both the Nation of Islam and the so-called “orthodox” Muslims. The unique circumstances of the African American diaspora work as the background of the NOI’s ideology that sets it apart from the rest of the Muslim world. It must be understood that Islam as a universal religion for all people never suggests hatred (even less terrorism) and superiority of a people (race) over the other(s). At the same time, however, it is necessary to understand the Nation of Islam’s insistence on black power, pride, and self-reliance when the American system is not in favor of many poor blacks whose voices are unheard. v FRONTISPIECE “We should realize that the first identity is not an African or a European or a Saudi. The first identity is a human being. As long as we build our differences, our diversities (pardon me) upon the foundation that God gives us, the human foundation, we’re in a good shape. And we should just make all the progress we can, separately and all together” (Warith D. Mohammed, as told to This Far By Faith , producer Valerie Lison, 2003). vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all, I would like to thank Allah SWT for the life, guidance, and blessings He gives. I am very grateful to my thesis advisor, Dr. Lillian Ashcraft-Eason, who has been with me from the first day of my research on the Nation of Islam until I finally completed the writing of this thesis. Without her guidance, recommendations, and personal contacts, it would have been impossible for me to conduct oral interviews with members of the Nation of Islam; conferences with her about the arrangement and interpretation of my data were invaluable, giving me confidence as I proceeded to write this Master’s thesis based on both literary and oral research. When I was just in the second semester in American Culture Studies (ACS) at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), my first year in the U.S., Dr. Ashcraft-Eason was the most supportive professor who made time for me whenever I needed her help, and she (and her late husband, Dr. Djisovi Eason who also taught at BGSU) took me to the Nation of Islam in Savannah during Spring Break 2005. Thank you very much for your support and encouragement, Dr. Ashcraft-Eason. Next, I would like to thank my second committee member, Dr. Awad Ibrahim, for his willingness to help and guide me in the process of writing and finishing this Master’s thesis. Dr. Donald McQuarie, my graduate advisor in ACS, is to be especially thanked for his sincerity and patience in assisting me through the bureaucratic process of graduate study in the United States and in helping me review my thesis prior to its submission. In addition I would like to thank Gloria Pizana, secretary of the department, whom I often ask for help with school-related administration. I am also very grateful to the Fulbright Program (IIE)—as well as AMINEF Indonesia—for without its financial support, I would not have been able to pursue my study. There are people that I thank for sharing their vii insights and knowledge of the Nation of Islam, including Dr. Devissi Muhammad (University of Detroit Mercy), Dr. Djisovi Eason, and Vincent Muhammad (Assistant Minister of the NOI’s Muhammad Mosque in Toledo). Also, I would like to thank Polly O’Rourke, Shannon Bischoff, and Yosuke Sato from Linguistics Department, Ph.D. Program, at the University of Arizona for helping me edit my thesis. To my family, you have my eternal appreciation for your ever-lasting support, encouragement and love and for your trust. Thank you, Ibuk (mother), for always supporting me in pursuing my dream and for letting me do what I want to do. Thank you, Bapak (father) and Mbak Yuli (sister), for always being next to my mother in supporting and trusting me, and thank you, Mbai (late grandmother), whose love always reminds me of loving all human beings despite religious and cultural differences and to never forget God because of Whom I exist. Thanks to my husband, Yosuke Sato, for never being tired of encouraging me when I felt like giving up, for always being with me when I am sad, and for helping me go through all difficulties and troubles in my life and study. Your love is my strength. And finally I would like to thank my best friend Esti, who despite being a thousand miles away—separated by oceans—has always been willing to help me, responding to my calls at anytime, hoping for nothing in return. You teach me what true and sincere friendship is. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1 CHAPTER I. INTRODUCING THE NATION OF ISLAM................................................ 7 Background to the Study............................................................................................ 7 A Recent Case of Study of the Nation of Islam in Toledo ........................................ 9 Introduction.................................................................................................... 9 Methodology.................................................................................................. 11 Discussion...................................................................................................... 12 The Nation of Islam as an Alternative for Christianity and the Question of White Jesus............................................................................................. 27 Religious Identity versus Social Movement .............................................................. 28 Separatist Ideology..................................................................................................... 33 The Foundation of the Nation of Islam...................................................................... 35 The Teachings of the Nation of Islam........................................................................ 36 Black Theology, Black Power, and the Concept of God in the Nation of Islam....... 38 The Nation of Islam as a Millenarian Movement ...................................................... 41 The Fruit of Islam (FOI) ............................................................................................ 43 The Nation of Islam and a Black Nationalist and a Social
Recommended publications
  • Framing of Islam in the Early Cold War Era of Racialized Empire-Building
    THE LESSER-EVILS PARADIGM FOR IMAGINING ISLAM: U.S. EXECUTIVE BRANCH (RE)FRAMING OF ISLAM IN THE EARLY COLD WAR ERA OF RACIALIZED EMPIRE-BUILDING by Sydney Porter Pasquinelli BA, Wayne State University, 2009 MA, Wake Forest University, 2011 Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Rhetoric & Communication University of Pittsburgh 2018 UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH KENNETH P. DIETRICH SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES This dissertation was presented by Sydney Porter Pasquinelli It was defended on October 27, 2017 and approved by Paul Elliot Johnson Deepa Kumar John Lyne Shanara Rose Reid-Brinkley Dissertation Director: Gordon Roger Mitchell ii Copyright © by Sydney Porter Pasquinelli 2018 iii THE LESSER-EVILS PARADIGM FOR IMAGINING ISLAM: U.S. EXECUTIVE BRANCH (RE)FRAMING OF ISLAM IN THE EARLY COLD WAR ERA OF RACIALIZED EMPIRE-BUILDING Sydney Porter Pasquinelli, PhD University of Pittsburgh, 2018 Rhetorical criticism of declassified United States executive branch intelligence documents produced by the Truman and Eisenhower administrations (1945-1961) illuminates how US agents (re)imagined Islam in this crucial yet understudied era of racialized empire-building. Two case studies help unravel characteristics of this dominant discourse: The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s attempt to delegitimize the Nation of Islam by characterizing its leadership and doctrine as violent, racist, and unorthodox; and the Central Intelligence Agency and State Department’s simultaneous effort to validate Islam and Islamism in the Middle East by positing them as ideological forces against communism and Arab Nationalism. Interactional and interdisciplinary consideration of archived rhetorical artifacts uncovers how motives to expand US empire, quell anti-imperial and anti-racist resistance, and advance early Cold War objectives encouraged executive agents to reframe Islam.
    [Show full text]
  • The Crusader Monthll,J Nelijsletter
    THE CRUSADER MONTHLL,J NELIJSLETTER ROBERT F. WILLIAMS, EDITOR -IN EXILE- VoL . ~ - No. 9 MAY 1968 Afro-Americans & Slick John Kennedy Government of the United States is no government T~E of the Afro-Americans at all. The slick John Ken- nedy gang is operating one of the greatest sham govern- ment in the entire world. Afro-Americans and fair minded Od > ~- O THE wN«< /l~USL . lF Yov~Re EyER IN NE60, CALL ME AT whites must be gullible indeed to believe that the racist, KKK dominated so-called U.S. Government is concerned with the welfare and human rights of colored people. The colored people of the USA must bring themselves to realize that taken integration is a slick manuever to check the restlessness of an oppressed people fast becoming infect ed with the germ of total resistance policy developing among all of the oppressed peoples of the world. Token integration means nothing to the masses. Even an idiot should be able to see that so-called Token integration is no more than window dressing designed to lull the poor downtrodden Afro-American to sleep and to make the out side world think that the racist, savage USA is a fountainhead of social justice and democracy. The Afro-American in the USA is facing his greatest crisis since chattel slavery. All forms of violence and underhanded methods o.f extermination are being stepped up against our people. Contrary to what the "big daddies" and their "good nigras" would have us believe about all of the phoney progress they claim the race is making, the True status of the Afro-Ameri- can is s#eadily on the down turn.
    [Show full text]
  • UC Riverside UC Riverside Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    UC Riverside UC Riverside Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title Noble Drew Ali and the Moorish Science Temple: A Study in Race, Gender, and African American Religion, 1913-1930 Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6jz222xw Author Wilms, Stephanie Ann Publication Date 2014 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE Noble Drew Ali and the Moorish Science Temple: A Study in Race, Gender, and African American Religion, 1913-1930 A Dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History by Stephanie Ann Wilms August 2014 Dissertation Committee: Dr. V.P. Franklin, Chairperson Dr. Rebecca Kugel Dr. Dylan Rodriguez Copyright by Stephanie Ann Wilms 2014 This Dissertation of Stephanie Ann Wilms is approved: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ Committee Chairperson University of California, Riverside Acknowledgements This dissertation was made possible by the generous support of V.P. Franklin, Emory University’s Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Books Library, and the University of California Center for New Racial Studies. There were also many professors and graduate student colleagues who constantly provided me with necessary insights into my work and the community needed to complete a project of this magnitude; you know who you are, thank you. I would also like to acknowledge the support of my family, who gave me the love, support, and refuge I needed to make it through this process. iv ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Noble Drew Ali and the Moorish Science Temple: A Study in Race, Gender, and African American Religion, 1913-1930 by Stephanie Ann Wilms Doctor of Philosophy, Graduate Program in History University of California, Riverside, August 2014 Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X Talk It out 17
    Writing for Understanding ACTIVITY Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X Talk It Out 17 Overview Materials This Writing for Understanding activity allows students to learn about and write • Transparency 17A a fictional dialogue reflecting the differing viewpoints of Martin Luther King Jr. • Student Handouts and Malcolm X on the methods African Americans should use to achieve equal 17 A –17C rights. Students study written information about either Martin Luther King Jr. • Information Master or Malcolm X and then compare the backgrounds and views of the two men. 17A Students then use what they have learned to assume the roles of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and debate methods for achieving African American equality. Afterward, students write a dialogue between the two men to reveal their differing viewpoints. Procedures at a Glance • Before class, decide how you will divide students into mixed-ability pairs. Use the diagram at right to determine where they should sit. • In class, tell students that they will write a dialogue reflecting the differing viewpoints of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X on the methods African Americans should use to achieve equal rights. • Divide the class into two groups—one representing each man. Explain that pairs will become “experts” on either Martin Luther King Jr. or Malcolm X. Direct students to move into their correct places. • Give pairs a copy of the appropriate Student Handout 17A. Have them read the information and discuss the “stop and discuss” questions. • Next, place each pair from the King group with a pair from the Malcolm X group.
    [Show full text]
  • Thecultphenomenonhowgroup
    Authors: Mike Kropveld Executive Director Info-Cult Marie-Andrée Pelland Doctoral Student in Criminology Université de Montréal Translated by: Natasha DeCruz Gwendolyn Schulman Linguistic Landscapes Cover Design by: Philippe Lamoureux This book was made possible through the financial support of the Ministère des Relations avec les citoyens et de l'Immigration. However, the opinions expressed herein are those of the authors. The translation from the French version (Le phénomène des sectes: L’étude du fonctionnement des groupes ©2003) into English was made possible through the financial support of Canadian Heritage. ©Info-Cult 2006 ISBN: 2-9808258-1-6 The Cult Phenomenon: How Groups Function ii Contents Contents ....................................................................................................................... ii Preface .......................................................................................................................viii Introduction ...................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1: History of Info-Cult.......................................................................................3 Cult Project................................................................................................................3 Description.............................................................................................................3 Cult Project’s objectives.........................................................................................4
    [Show full text]
  • Finding Aid to the Historymakers ® Video Oral History with Robert Sengstacke
    Finding Aid to The HistoryMakers ® Video Oral History with Robert Sengstacke Overview of the Collection Repository: The HistoryMakers®1900 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60616 [email protected] www.thehistorymakers.com Creator: Sengstacke, Robert (Bobby), 1943-2017 Title: The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with Robert Sengstacke, Dates: December 19, 2003 Bulk Dates: 2003 Physical 7 Betacame SP videocasettes (3:30:47). Description: Abstract: Photojournalist Robert Sengstacke (1943 - 2017 ) is president of the Chicago Defender newspaper. Sengstacke was interviewed by The HistoryMakers® on December 19, 2003, in Chicago, Illinois. This collection is comprised of the original video footage of the interview. Identification: A2003_305 Language: The interview and records are in English. Biographical Note by The HistoryMakers® Photographer and heir of a distinguished African American newspaper publisher, Robert Abbott Sengstacke, popularly known as “Bobby,” was born May 29, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois. Named after the founder of the Chicago Defender, Robert Sengstacke Abbott, Bobby attended the University of Chicago Lab School, Manument boarding school in Pennsylvania and Howalton Day School in Chicago before attending Hyde Park High School. Sengstacke graduated from Central YMCA High School in 1962. Artistic and restless, he attended Florida’s Bethune Cookman College for three and a half years before returning to Chicago. Growing up with the newspaper gave Sengstacke unique access to important events and people. Learning to shoot from Le Mont Mac Lemore, Billy Abernathy and Bob Black of the Chicago Sun-Times in the mid-1950s, Sengstacke’s thousands of black and white photographs of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Muhammad Ali, Gwendolyn Brooks, Amiri Imamu Baraka and other well-known figures, places and events were widely published.
    [Show full text]
  • Information to Users
    INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In th e unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 8703587 McFadden-Preston, Claudette THE RHETORIC OF MINISTER LOUIS FARRAKHAN: A PLURALISTIC APPROACH The O hio State University Ph.D. 1986 University Microfilms International300 N.
    [Show full text]
  • Handbook of Religious Beliefs and Practices
    STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HANDBOOK OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES 1987 FIRST REVISION 1995 SECOND REVISION 2004 THIRD REVISION 2011 FOURTH REVISION 2012 FIFTH REVISION 2013 HANDBOOK OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES INTRODUCTION The Department of Corrections acknowledges the inherent and constitutionally protected rights of incarcerated offenders to believe, express and exercise the religion of their choice. It is our intention that religious programs will promote positive values and moral practices to foster healthy relationships, especially within the families of those under our jurisdiction and within the communities to which they are returning. As a Department, we commit to providing religious as well as cultural opportunities for offenders within available resources, while maintaining facility security, safety, health and orderly operations. The Department will not endorse any religious faith or cultural group, but we will ensure that religious programming is consistent with the provisions of federal and state statutes, and will work hard with the Religious, Cultural and Faith Communities to ensure that the needs of the incarcerated community are fairly met. This desk manual has been prepared for use by chaplains, administrators and other staff of the Washington State Department of Corrections. It is not meant to be an exhaustive study of all religions. It does provide a brief background of most religions having participants housed in Washington prisons. This manual is intended to provide general guidelines, and define practice and procedure for Washington State Department of Corrections institutions. It is intended to be used in conjunction with Department policy. While it does not confer theological expertise, it will, provide correctional workers with the information necessary to respond too many of the religious concerns commonly encountered.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Islam
    human beings and examples for humanity. God reward for good believers and punishment for WHAT IS ISLAM? appointed prophets not to be worshipped but to sinners. communicate the message of God to humanity. Islam is the complete way of life for all humanity. It is the religion of submission to one WHAT ARE THE FIVE PILLARS OF God, the religion of peace, mercy, and WHO IS MUHAMMAD? ISLAM? forgiveness. It is the universal religion that calls Muhammad was the son of Abdullah and The five pillars of Islam are the practical Amina and was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia for “ONE PEOPLE UNDER ONE GOD.” aspects of Islam. They are to make you in 570 CE. God chose him to be the last conscious of God and to bring harmony and prophet, the seal of prophets and prophecy, at peace between the physical desires and spiritual WHAT DOES ISLAM MEAN? the age of 40. He died in Madina(Saudi Arabia) needs of a human being. The world is not an Islam means submission to one God and it also at the age of 63. He communicated the message illusion to a Muslim. It is a place to work and means ‘peace.’ The word Muslim means the of Islam to humanity. He was known as enjoy; nourish physical and spiritual needs; one who has submitted him/herself to God and Amin(trustworthy), Sadiq(truthful) from his care and love; forgive and respect others. A lives with peace. If one’s life is not peaceful, childhood. He was humble and sincere, loving Muslim lives a righteous life in this world with he/she should be concerned about his/her level and caring, forgiving and showing mercy to all.
    [Show full text]
  • Jesus, the Righteous Branch of Jesse — Matthew 3:1-12 Page 1 Advent 2A Pastor Douglas Punke in the Name of C Jesus. in This Ad
    Jesus, the Righteous Branch of Jesse — Matthew 3:1-12 Page 1 Advent 2a Pastor Douglas Punke In the name of c Jesus. In this Advent season, a watchword is the word “prepare.” Matthew tells us this is why John the Baptist is significant. John makes his appearance in the Judean wilderness as the voice foretold by Isaiah: the “voice of one crying in the wilderness,” preparing “the way of the Lord.” In our busy lives outside of church, in this Advent season, I’m sure there is a lot of preparing taking place. The gifts under the Christmas tree don’t just miraculously appear; being a bit circumspect here…there is no “jolly old elf” delivering them from the North Pole. The house doesn’t get decorated on its own. Christmas goodies don’t make themselves. And magic won’t make your festive Christmas dinner. All these require preparation. You may be hosting a Christmas gathering at your home; you may be going to have holiday guests to your home. These require preparation, perhaps even a good old-fashioned house cleaning. John came on the scene knowing that he was the one sent to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. His father Zechariah sang of it at John’s birth, and no doubt told John many times: “you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins …” (Luke 1:76-77). That is, John came on the scene to give Israel a figurative house cleaning.
    [Show full text]
  • Cultural Dakwah and Muslim Movements in the United States in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries
    JURNAL AQLAM – Journal of Islam and Plurality –Volume 5, Nomor 2, Juli – Desember 2020 CULTURAL DAKWAH AND MUSLIM MOVEMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES IN THE TWENTIETH AND TWENTY-FIRST CENTURIES Mark Woodward Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict Arizona State University [email protected] Abstract: There have been Muslims in what is now the United States since tens of thousands were brought as slaves in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Very few maintained their Muslim identities because the harsh conditions of slavery. Revitalization movements relying on Muslim symbolism emerged in the early 20th century. They were primarily concerned with the struggle against racism and oppression. The Moorish Science Temple of American and the Nation of Islam are the two most important of these movement. The haj was a transformative experience for Nation of Islam leaders Malcom X and Muhammad Ali. Realization that Islam is an inclusive faith that does not condone racism led both of them towards mainstream Sunni Islam and for Muhammad Ali to Sufi religious pluralism.1 Keywords: Nation of Islam, Moorish Science Temple, Revitalization Movement, Malcom X, Muhammad Ali Abstract: Sejarah Islam di Amerika sudah berakar sejak abad ke 18 dan awal 19, ketika belasan ribu budak dari Afrika dibawa ke wilayah yang sekarang bernama Amerika Serikat. Sangat sedikit di antara mereka yang mempertahankan identitasnya sebagai Muslim mengingat kondisi perbudakan yang sangat kejam dan tidak memungkinkan. Di awal abad 20, muncul-lah gerakan revitalisasi Islam. Utamanya, mereka berkonsentrasi pada gerakan perlawanan terhadap rasisme dan penindasan. The Moorish Science Temple of American dan the Nation of Islam adalah dua kelompok terpenting gerakan perlawanan tersebut.
    [Show full text]
  • The Oakland Tribune (Oakland
    The Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA) August 17, 2004 Tuesday Muslim bakery leader confirmed dead BYLINE: By Harry Harris and Chauncey Bailey - STAFF WRITERS SECTION: MORE LOCAL NEWS LENGTH: 917 words OAKLAND -- A man found buried in a shallow grave last month in the Oakland hills was identified Monday as Waajid Aljawaad Bey, 51, president and chief executive officer of Your Black Muslim Bakery, police said. Police would not say how Bey, who assumed leadership of the bakery after the death of Yusuf Bey in September, had died. But Sgt. Bruce Brock said police are investigating the case "as a definite homicide." He would not say whether police think Bey was killed elsewhere before being buried at the site or was killed there and then buried. And while police are certain Bey was deliberately killed, Brock said despite a great deal of speculation, "we're not sure of a motive at this time." Some bakery insiders have feared that Bey's fate may be related to rivalries and a power play in the wake of Yusuf Bey's death from cancer in 2003. Although Bey never really discussed his Muslim activities with relatives, family members "are quite sure [the death] had something to do with him taking over" the organ ization, said a relative who asked not to be named. Bey's badly decomposed remains were discovered July 20 by a dog being walked by its owner on a fire trail that runs off the 8200 block of Fontaine Street near King Estates Middle School. Because of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body, it was classified as a homicide at the time, the city's 46th.
    [Show full text]