Masjid Malcolm Shabazz

Profile of  Imam W. Deen Mohammed

“A Universal Message for All”

Imam W. Deen Mohammed was unanimously elected as leader of his community after the passing of his father in 1975, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, founder, leader and builder of the Nation of Islam.  Imam Mohammed is also an author, businessman and Founder and President of WDM Ministry.

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 Loop Jr. College (now Washington 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.

Imam Mohammed’s astute leadership, profound social commentary on major issues, piercing scriptural insight into the Bible, Torah and Qur’an and his unique ability to apply scriptural interpretation to social issues have brought him numerous awards and high honors.  He is a man of vision who has performed many historical ‘firsts’.

In 1992, he delivered the first Invocation in the U.S. Senate to be given by a Muslim.  He gave an Islamic Prayer at President William Jefferson Clinton’s first Inaugural Interfaith Prayer Service in 1993, 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 1995, Imam W. Deen Mohammed’s book, Islam’s Climate for Business Success, hit the marketplace leading the call for human excellence, refinement and economic progress.  His depth of thinking, insight and perspectives cut across religious, political and cultural lines with applications, strategy, and a stratagem for neighborhood business enterprise.

In 1996, Imam W. Deen Mohammed established the Collective Purchasing Conference (CPC), a limited liability company designed to allow small business people the opportunity to compete in the larger business markets by using the muscle, leverage, and power of “collective purchasing”.

In 1997, the Focolare Movement presented him with the “Luminosa Award” for promoting Interfaith Dialogue, peace and understanding in the U.S.   In 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 inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI.

In 1998, Imam W. Deen Mohammed was invited to travel to Bangladesh to meet with bankers and business representatives of Bangladesh to explore international business opportunities for the CPC.

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”.  It was an historical event which was enlightening and illuminating.

Imam Mohammed has proposed and is leading the development of business centers called "New Africa”/“The New African Village” in urban centers throughout the United States and the Caribbean.  The New Africa” business concept will be instrumental in strengthening the business and cultural life in African-American communities.

There are many more accolades, achievements and accomplishments made by Imam W. Deen Mohammed that dignify the African-American Muslims as well as all Muslims in North America.  His honorary doctorates and mayoral and gubernatorial proclamations give testament to his recognized voice and the benefit of his leadership to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.  His involvement as an international president of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) and a leading member of the Peace Council, the World Supreme Council of Mosques, and the U.S. Presidential Religious Advisory Council is because of the value of his work and leadership in America.

The dignity and world recognition Imam Mohammed has generated has been seen as he visited with kings and presidents of vast countries, and with world religious leaders such as Pope John Paul, II the Dalai Lama and many more.