Elijah Muhammad, W. Deen Mohammed and Wallace Mohammed II

NEW TELEVISION SPECIAL SPANS 3 GENERATIONS OF INFLUENCIAL AND HISTORIC AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILY

BY LON MUQADDIN

(LOS ANGELES, CA, 2/21/10) -- The relationship between a father and son is a special bond. One that words cannot always describe. Throughout history father and son relationships have been a defining component of mankind’s existence. They have taken on many different forms and have created many compelling stories of courage, sacrifice, tragedy and triumph. At time’s they have been our greatest source of strength and at others our greatest weakness. Sons are passed the family torch from their fathers. It’s a right of ascension that sometimes it comes with high expectations. The responsibility to follow in the footsteps of predecessors who were giants, and continue legacy’s that must to endure.

In September 2009, our company, BAIT-CAL, was in Chicago (Tinley Park to be exact) to screen our new documentary “8 Centuries of Muslims in America” at the Mosque Cares Annual Islamic Convention. This was their first convention since the passing of Imam Mohammed and like many others, we felt it was important to be there and show support for our community. During this time, I was blessed to meet with Warith Deen Mohammed II, son of Imam W. Deen Mohammed. It was a rare opportunity to meet the son of a man I had so admired for the better part of my life.

Since 1972, when my father, Samir Muqaddin began our company and through the tenor of Imam Mohammed’s leadership, BAIT-CAL has documented the evolution of Muslims in America. Through the 90’s and into the new millennium I was fortunate to travel the country and videotape the Imam, while our company produced several documentaries on his travels and leadership. Over the years, while working with his father, I had bumped into Wallace, as many called him, on a few occasions. However, this was my first opportunity to actually get to know him.

He agreed to give us an interview to discuss the relationship with his father while growing up and what his hopes are for preserving the great legacy Imam Mohammed behind.

“As a child I don’t have any recall of being part of the Nation of Islam or that community,” said Wallace as we began the interview. “We had a normal family life. My father went to work, he was a welder, he went to the steel mill and we waited for him to come home. We were aware that we were Muslims, but there wasn’t a conscious awareness that we were different. My father never placed emphasis on the difference between faith and faith-based people.

Imam W.Deen Mohammed, his mother Clara Muhammad and his son, Warith Deen Mohammed II

This historic family photo features Imam W. Deen Mohammed (right) Warith Deen Mohammed II (center) and their mother / grandmother Sister Clara Muhammad (left)

As he began talking the first thing I noticed was how deliberate he was in his delivery. It was something I had always noticed in Imam Mohammed as he searched for the words, which would provide the best insight into the thought he was trying to convey. It was very compelling listening to Wallace speak.

“He (Imam Mohammed) was a one-hundred percent selfless man when it came to service,” Wallace said. “He believed in the revealed word of G-d and in his ability to help. His main focus was to serve the former followers of Elijah Muhammad and the community he had inherited leadership of and to stay in the direction that he knew would lead us into the proper guidance in the religion.” As he said those words, I couldn’t help but to think back on the countless times I had heard Imam Mohammed speak. Through all his global travels and recognition, visits to the White House, meeting with kings and presidents he never abandoned our community. And as Wallace continued to speak I realized something else, Imam Mohammed’s son was not going to abandon him either.

Imam W. Deen Mohammed-Wallace Mohammed

Imam W. Deen Mohammed, known then as Minister Wallace Muhammad, and his son Wallace II

“I want him to be remembered just as he was,” Wallace told us. “I would like to see his legacy of work preserved so that we could have as much of him, as he was and as he is, unadulterated and pure as we can possibly keep it. I believe he was inspired by G-d. He was a holy man that gave all of himself. His message was so profound and touched so many people that were yet to discover the full value of what he brought to us.”

We videotaped nearly 1-hour of this fascinating interview with Warith Deen Mohammed II. After arriving back in Los Angeles, we knew our obligation to present this to the community. After months of searching through countless hour of footage from Imam Mohammed and numerous family photos, we have created a powerful movie based on that interview. It features 3 generations of fathers and sons, and the inside story of one family that has literally changed the course of African-American history. The film is called “Warith Deen Mohammed II: In His Own Words” and its premiere screening will be at the Mosque Cares Saviors Day on Saturday, February 27 at the Tinley Park Convention Center at 10:00am.

I sincerely believe that everyone who has been part of this great legacy will want to see this picture. It offers a rare insight into the Mohammed family and a hopeful glimpse of what lay ahead. We have made an advanced preview of the film available on our website (www.BAITCAL.com). You can also get additional information about future screenings in your area and how to purchase the DVD.

It was truly an honor for our company to produce this story. But it is an even bigger honor to be a part of this great community, where a very special father and son legacy has not only made a huge impact on us, but on all of humanity.