Elijah Muhammad

Elijah Muhammad was an influential African American religious leader and the founder of the Nation of Islam (NOI), a movement that combines Islamic principles with Black empowerment. He led the NOI from the 1930s until his death in 1975, promoting beliefs in self-reliance, racial pride, and economic independence for Black Americans. His teachings emphasized the idea that Black people are the original people of the world. Muhammad played a crucial role in shaping the identity of many African Americans during the civil rights era, influencing notable figures like Malcolm X and Louis Farrakhan.