Out of respect and appreciation for his labor in Islam for nearly 50 years, the Friends of Akbar Muhammad organization threw a Benefit and Gala Fundraiser in St. Louis on Sunday.
Donations from the event went towards the Akbar Muhammad Legal Assistance Fund to help with legal challenges facing him after the FBI confiscated his computer and personal affects surrounding his travels and the use of his Muslim names.
The event was attended by more than 300 people, including 100 believers of Muhammad Mosque 28 (St. Louis) and Muhammad Mosque 28B (East St. Louis) n notably, his former captain, now Illinois state Rep. Eddie Washington n and other religious leaders, politicians, community activists, businessmen and media personalities.
The event was the idea of Zaki Baruti of Universal African Peoples Organization and local businessman Sterling Moody, owner of All Star Distributors, both longtime friends of Akbar Muhammad.
Other organizers and supporters included Donald Muhammad, minister of Muhammad Mosque #28, Ralph Muhammad, minister of Muhammad Mosque #28B, Freeman Bosley Jr., first black mayor of the City of St. Louis, Malik Ahmed president of Better Family Life Inc., Keith Antone Willis Sr., associate publisher of Who’s Who in Black St. Louis, the Rev. Tommie Pierson, pastor of Greater St. Mark Church, Irene J. Smith and the Rev. Elsten K. McCowan, candidates for mayor of the city of St. Louis, and Anthony Shahid, founder of the Tauheed Youth Group.
During the benefit, noted members of the community reflected on the work and impact of Brother Akbar in St. Louis and all over the world. On display and up for auction were Brother Akbar’s rare and personal pictures, books and collectibles from the U.S., Africa, Middle East and other parts of the world.
Born in Hampton, Virginia and raised in New York City. Brother Akbar attended Manhattan Aviation High School and Hunter College. It was in New York that he joined the Nation of Islam at the age of 18 under the leadership of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad in 1960.
He served as a student minister under then Minister Malcolm X and as Minister Farrakhan’s assistant in New York Mosque #7 from 1965 to 1975.
After 1975 Brother Akbar was sent to St. Louis by Imam Warith Deen Mohammed to head Muhammad’s Mosque #28. He later went on to be a key organizer in helping the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in the rebuilding of the Nation of Islam in 1979.
Building friendships in all walks of life between Black America, the African continent and the Caribbean, Brother Akbar traveled to 139 countries on behalf of the Nation of Islam, was a key organizer in the four World Friendship tours for the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, the organizer of the NOI’s first international Saviours’ Day convention in Accra, Ghana, bringing over 1,900 travelers from America in October 1994, and one of the organizers for the Million Man March in October 1995.
If you would like to help Brother Akbar Muhammad, make your donations to:
Akbar Muhammad Legal Assistance Fund
1220 L Street, NW
Suite 100-424,
Washington, DC 20005.