October 30, 1933 – September 9, 2008), also known as "W. Deen Mohammed" or "Imam W. Deen Muhammad", was a progressive African American Muslim leader, theologian, philosopher, Muslim revivalist, and Islamic thinker (1975–2008) who disbanded the original Nation of Islam (NOI) in 1976 and transformed it into an orthodox mainstream Islamic movement, the World Community of Al-Islam in the West which later became the American Society of Muslims. 

He was a son of Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam from 1933 to 1975. Upon the death of his father on February 25, 1975, Mohammed was unanimously chosen as the leader of the Nation of Islam and introduced to the NOI membership as such at the annual Saviors’ Day convention on February 26, 1975

He became the national leader (Supreme Minister) of the Nation of Islam in 1975 after his father's death. As a result of his personal studies and thinking, he had led the vast majority of the members of the original NOI to mainstream, traditional Sunni Islam by 1978.  With this merger, he oversaw the largest mass conversion to Islam in the history of the United States. He rejected the previous deification of Wallace Fard Muhammad, accepted whites as fellow-worshippers, forged closer ties with mainstream Muslim communities, and introduced the Five Pillars of Islam into his group's theology.

He called himself Muslim American Spokesman for Human Salvation and encouraged the common people and leaders of all religious traditions to return to the purity of their faith.  Others called him “America’s Imam”; leader of the Muslim American Experience.  He defined it gave direction to it and devoted his life to it. 

Imam W. Deen Mohammed worked for the establishment of Muslim life in America and for freedom, justice and equality for Muslims, African Americans, and all people.  He both taught and demonstrated that Al-Islam is not only compatible with democracy but in fact gave birth to the same principles.  His followers have proven that there is no contradiction between living a Muslim life and that of an American citizen.  From 1975 to 2008 Imam W. Deen Mohammed traveled America and the world promoting interfaith cooperation and the common good for all so that humanity might achieve human excellence.

This made him singularly responsible for what many observers consider a “modern day miracle” – the largest conversion to Al-Islam in the world in the twentieth century.  In 1977, he was responsible for leading the largest delegation of Muslim Americans in history to Hajj, the Pilgrimage to Mecca. He continued to make tremendous contributions to the development of societal/human excellence until he transitioned from this existence.

Imam Maajid Faheem ‘Ali, (July 18,1953-Feburary 27,2016) a pillar of the Muslim community in Savannah and the Lowcountry, was born July 18, 1953 in Savannah, Georgia

In February of 1974, he became a member of the Nation of Islam movement, under The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, and in 1975, he transitioned to Al-Islam, under the global leadership of Imam W.D. Mohammed. In November of 1976, he was elected Imam (religious leader) of the mosque in Savannah, Masjid Jihad, Inc., where he continued to serve until his passing. In his early years as Imam, Maajid provided exceptional and progressive religious leadership to the local Muslim community and the inmate populations at regional correctional facilities.

For almost 40 years, he gave weekly Jumu’ah khutbah’s (lecture and prayer service), and he led Arabic and Islamic studies classes at the Masjid. He was also at the forefront of several Islamic-based, community engagement and awareness initiatives, including C.R.A.I.D. (Committee to Remove All Images of the Divine), and Islamic Neighborhood Watch.

In the early 80’s and 90’s Imam ‘Ali continued to increase his Islamic knowledge and develop his Islamic leadership skills through training and travel. In 1978, he was selected as a participant of the Muslim World League’s (Rabitat Al-‘Alam Al-Islami) sponsored Imam’s Training Program. In 1984, he served as the regional leader for the Southern Region’s Council of Imams (Majlis Ash-Shura). In 1992, he was again selected to study Quranic recitation, Arabic, Fiqh and Islamic Studies at Sayyid Maududi International Islamic Institute in Lahore, Pakistan. Additionally, he performed the Hajj pilgrimage, a once in a lifetime journey, to Makkah, Saudia Arabia in 2003. He made this pilgrimage for a second time in 2007 with his wife, Sakinah and daughter, Sadaqah, where he delivered the khutbah in ‘Arafah for his delegation.

As the Imam of Savannah’s first and oldest masjid, Maajid was an advocate for religious integrity, ensuring those who he encountered were left with an understanding of true Al-Islam. Over the years he has lectured to thousands of individuals, including congregations at other Masaajid throughout the southeastern United States, as well as school aged students, college students, and the general public.

Engaging the community as the representative for Muslims in Savannah, Imam ‘Ali was involved in several regional civic events. He gave the Interfaith Benediction for the inauguration of Mayors Floyd Adams (1996 and 2000), Mayor Otis Johnson (2004), Eddie DeLoach (2006), and Edna Jackson (2012). Imam ‘Ali also gave the benediction for City Council meetings, and he was the first Imam to deliver the Invocation for the Chatham County Commissioner’s Meeting in 2013. Additionally, Imam Maajid was a 1998 graduate of the Chamber of Commerce sponsored Leadership Savannah program.

Imam Majid continued to make countless noteworthy contributions in the Muslim community and the broader society until he transitioned.

Ibrahim ‘Abdul-Malik, serves in the capacity of Imam of Masjid Jihad, Inc. he has been an associate member of Masjid Jihad for over 40 years, and was elected to serve in this capacity in March of 2016, after the death of Imam Maajid Faheem ‘Ali (R),

As Imam, he stands up front as a leading example of how the religion of Al-Islam is to be practiced via its ritual observances, and its communal responsibilities. Imam Ibrahim Abdul-Malik, regularly conducts the Friday Congregational services, participates in Interfaith Dialogs, conducts Quranic Arabic and Islamic Studies sessions, he also maintains an involvement with civic and cultural, organizations and interest in the community.

• As a native Virginian, he graduated from the local public-school system (1970-1975),

• Attended Thomas Nelson Community College (University, 1975-1977) Drafting

• Move to Hilton Head Island (1977)

• Attended USCB Hilton Head (1990-1992) HRTM

• Student of Imam Warith Deen Mohammad (Islamic Studies, Qur’anic Arabic, Seerah-History),

• Associate of Imam Maajid Faheem ‘Ali (R) (1976-2016)

Ibrahim is married to Mumtahanah ‘Abdul-Malik; and, he is the grateful father of three children, nine grandchildren. And he is a hajji, having made the pilgrimage to Mecca with Imam Maajid in 2007