
DATE: Wednesday, August 6, 1997             TAG: 9708060484

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY NIA NGINA MEEKS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   98 lines

FORMER NAACP LEADER SPEAKS OF ROLE WITH NATIONS OF ISLAM

A silver Crown Victoria whisked into the lot of Clear Channel Communications Center on Tuesday, greeted by a cluster of men in bow ties who stood at attention.

From the car stepped Minister Benjamin F. Muhammad, flanked by more guards in the custom of Nation of Islam dignitaries.

Muhammad - known once as the Rev. Ben Chavis of the United Church of Christ - was due inside for his spot with WSVY-FM talk show host Cheryl Wilkerson.

That's where Muhammad, the former executive director for the NAACP, spoke of his new role as special assistant to Louis Farrakhan. Muhammad joined the Nation of Islam in February.

His ``evolution'' is a story he has retold while touring the country on a Nation of Islam revival. Norfolk was his 113th stop on the 150-city tour as the group gears for the Oct. 16 Day of Atonement/Day of Absence.

``There is only one God, whether you are a Jew, a Christian or a Muslim,'' Muhammad said. ``You are called into ministry not by man, but by God. Today I walk with the Koran and the Bible.''

In the studio, Benjamin Muhammad adjusted his headphones and told of his days as Benjamin Chavis - from the civil rights protests that landed him in Norfolk jails in the '70s to his work with the church to his role as national director for 1995's Million Man March.

In his view, he adheres to the literal translation of Muslim - one who submits to the will of God. Muhammad shared this view again with the 50 or so people who gathered for a three-hour interfaith dialogue at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church in Norfolk.

``Paul's name was once Saul,'' Muhammad said. ``Peter was once Simon. I'm not trying to change Christians to Muslims or Muslims to Christians. All the religions, all the labels lead to one thing: obedience to God.''

His move to the Nation of Islam was not instantaneous, but was something he had contemplated for eight years, Muhammad said.

At the afternoon presentation, he spoke of churches joining with synagogues and mosques to work on projects, joint prison ministries or drug rehab centers.

Janice Smith enjoyed the talk. It should have been done a long time ago, said Smith, a member of Chesapeake's Providence United Church of Christ.

``I've always felt that regardless of what religion, our mission is the same: unity, love and respect for each other's differences,'' she said. ``I have an open mind. They (Nation of Islam) believe in God; we believe in God.''

``Amens'' and ``Speak'' punctuated Muhammad's talk. His cadence showed his Christian roots, roots nearly severed when the United Church of Christ voted in February to suspend his license, saying Christianity and Islam were not compatible.

``Their maintaining or lifting of the suspension does not in any way deter my intent to be obedient to God in my service to the Nation of Islam,'' Muhammad said. ``I am 49 years old. I was born in the church, raised in the church, baptized in the church, confirmed in the church and ordained in the church. The church may attempt to leave me, but I have not left the church.''

Nor has the lifetime member left the NAACP, which left him after he served a stormy 18-month term as executive director from 1993 until 1994. The group's board removed him amid charges of sexual and financial misconduct, saying he used some $300,000 in NAACP funds to settle a sex discrimination suit.

Muhammad said he harbors no hard feelings about the falling-out.

``I support the leadership of the NAACP,'' he said. ``I try not to let trials and tribulations sink me. I spent most of the '70s in prison and persevered. Eventually, my name will be cleared.''

It appeared to be cleared by the standards of the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Both state President Paul C. Gillis and Virginia Beach chapter President Sandra Smith-Jones offered Muhammad welcome at the interfaith gathering.

He received a similar greeting at a rally at the Berkley Community Center, where about 300 people came to hear his words on ending teen-age pregnancy and black-on-black crime while elevating families and economic empowerment.

``I'm for any black person who is trying to get all black people together,'' Norfolk's Edwin Holmes said. ``I wish more people were here. It should have had people coming out of all the doors and out here,'' he said, waving at the packed parking lot.

Some 40 pounds lighter, Muhammad said his February decision has led him to a sense of peace.

``God always provides you with another opportunity to do service and ministry,'' Muhammad said. ``I'm not living in 1994 or 1993. Now, I have a sense of happiness and joy in the Nation of Islam.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Ting-Li Wang/The Virginian-Pilot

Minister Benjamin F. Muhammad, second from right,...

Graphic

OTHER EVENTS

On Oct. 16, the anniversary of the 1995 Million Man March, the

Nation of Islam will sponsor activities around the country. This Day

of Atonement/Day of Absence will send people to their households and

houses of worship, not work, school or the malls, Minister Benjamin

F. Muhammad said.

In metropolitan areas with high concentrations of black people,

including South Hampton Roads, a video feed of Minister Louis

Farrakhan and celebrations in major cities will come via satellite.

Portsmouth's Willett Hall is already booked for the event, local