Oral History Interview with Minister Troy Muhammad on February 20, 2021
Oral history interview with Minister Troy Muhammad conducted by Munimah Ahmad on February 20, 2021. Interview written by Dr. Alisa Perkins (Research Director) and Munimah Ahmad. Minister Troy Muhammad was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1970 and raised in a Christian household by his grandmother, who was originally from Georgia. When he was seventeen years old, Minister Muhammad encountered the teachings of Minister Louis Farrakhan while incarcerated. This encounter led him to embrace Islam, join the Nation of Islam, and begin a lifetime of service to others. Since his release, Minister Muhammad has taken on several important leadership positions in the community. As a supervisor for truck drivers, Minister Muhammad facilitated the hiring of more than 200 formerly incarcerated men, helping to ensure their stability and combat the stigma of incarceration. He also worked at Goodwill Industries, motivated by the opportunity to help young people secure jobs and educational opportunities. He currently works at Wayne Metro Community Action Agency, helping provide housing to people in need. Minister Muhammad holds the distinction of serving as State Representative for Minister Louis Farrakhan and as Minister of Muhammad Mosque #1. As part of his role as mosque leader, Minister Muhammad helps organize the many different social services, education, and advocacy programs that the mosque offers to the community. In his interview, Minister Muhammad outlines the long history of the Nation of Islam in Detroit and how Muhammad Mosque #1 continues its legacy of moral leadership, service, and giving, while advancing the Nation of Islam's historical role as a significant source of support for people in prison. Over several years, Minister Muhammad has played a major role in organizing Saviours' Day in Detroit, helping to successfully draw thousands to the city from across the country. In the interview, Minister Muhammad reflects on Saviours' Day and its importance as an event that brings together the local and national Muslim community and promotes outreach and fellowship among many diverse groups in Detroit.
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