Tony Muhammad
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Tony Muhammad | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Other names | Abdul Malik Sayyid Muhammad |
| Occupation | Nation of Islam Minister |
| Years active | 1995–present |
Tony Muhammad, also known as Abdul Malik Sayyid Muhammad, is an American minister and anti-vaccination activist. He is the regional representative for the Nation of Islam on the West Coast, as well as a Scientologist.
Muhammad described his youth with his nine siblings as difficult, with a mostly absent father and a mother struggling with alcohol addiction.[1] He was an athlete in college, playing football and baseball.[1]
Before becoming a Nation of Islam minister, he worked as the real estate executive of a fast-food chain and was an Eastern Air Lines manager in Atlanta. A former drug dealer, the Eastern Airlines job allowed him to get past airport security with shipments of cocaine.[1]
Nation of Islam
Muhammad joined Nation of Islam in 1985.[1] As minister in the South before being chosen by Farrakhan to hold the position of Western regional Minister in 1995, leaving Atlanta with his family to California. He eventually took on the name of Abdul Malik Sayyid Muhammad.[2][3] Counting only a thousand members when Muhammad arrived, he says he built the Nation of Islam in Los Angeles congregation back to 3,000 members, which was its record high.[1]
His term got off to a rocky start, his congregation being forcibly evicted from the building they occupied in 1996, for failing to fulfill the conditions of their lease-to-buy contract. Muhammad was rebuked by other Muslim leaders for predicting California would be hit by a major earthquake as retaliation for the eviction. Muslims do not generally believe that God reveals the future to the faithful.[4]
Muhammad was credited for bringing a more collaborative style to the organization in Los Angeles, favoring dialogue between the community and police forces. His efforts at bridge-building were recognized by the region's police chiefs, who acknowledge his conflict resolution skills.[2][1] Muhammad denounced both police brutality and gang violence, using the Nation of Islam's influence to try to quell street violence. Non-violence advocates recognized his role in making communities safer.[2] Since 2012, Muhammad and Reverend Alfreddie Johnson host Peace Rides to promote non-violence in Los Angeles County, such as in Compton.[5]
In 2005, Muhammad was injured during a scuffle with officers from the Los Angeles Police Department. The officers were surrounded by a group that included Muhammad and gang members when they approached to ask that double-parked SUVs be moved during a vigil for a victim of gang violence. In the scuffle that ensued, an officer was pushed to the ground, another used pepper spray and Muhammad ended up being handcuffed and suffered bruised to his face, either from a fall or being hit by the officers.[2][6] Two of Muhammad's bodyguards were arrested on suspicion of obstruction of justice. The altercation provoked protests against the LAPD.[7] LAPD Chief William Bratton requested that Muhammad and his bodyguards be charged with a battery misdemeanor, but the City Attorney did not lay charges.[6]