Black Muslim leader dead

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33783, 4 March 1975, Page 8

Black Muslim leader dead

[ (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) CHICAGO. Mr Elijah Muhammed, who has died in Chicago, aged 77, rose from odd-job [man in Detroit to head a ,multi-million-dollar organisation of Black Muslims dedijcated to forming a self-ruled [black nation. Given to making speeches of up to three hours, he once told Black Muslims in the United States: “We are going to rule the earth — the Muslim nation.” He called for “total separation from the white devils.” His women followers wore long white gowns, but the men opted for conservative business suits. The many thousands of followers were enjoined to avoid drugs. alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and sexual immorality. Mr Muhammed owned two homes — one, a mansion in Chicago, and a second tn Arizona — and used a personal aircraft to help him to control his organisation, (which included a business empire of supermarkets, restaurants. food-processing plants, and 73 temples. His death raises a succession problem because his most famous follower, the world heavyweight boxing champion. Muhammad AH, who poured thousands of dollars into the Black Muslim Treasury, has said that he does not envisage himself as leader of the movement For many years Mr Muhammed’s heir-apparent was considered a young disciple who called himself “Malcolm X.” but who broke away and founded the Afro-American Unity Organisation and. in 1965, was killed by a New I York gunman.