By Gregory X Moore
In 1976, I found myself knee deep in the mud of decadence. I was discharged from the military as “unfit” because I would not submit to the authority of racist non-commissioned officers. My rebellion led me to a special court-martial. I was told by the Veterans Administration that I had no military benefits and that I would never get a job, own a home or car. I returned to my hometown of Philadelphia, and decided to live a life of crime.
I went into the streets. I became a hustler and pimp. It was a lifestyle that I didn’t have a clue about how to live. I tried to do it for 1 1/2 years. I was arrested in 1978 as a result of the low-life, lifestyle that I was living. I refused to accept a guilty plea, for a sentence of 7 ½ to 15 years sentence.
Instead, I went to trial, was “found guilty,” and sentenced to 30-60 years. While incarcerated at a Philadelphia County Prison called, Holmesburg Prison, I came across a brother named Robert X Lassiter. He introduced me to Brother Jehron 4X Hunter (now known as Jehron Muhammad). Brother Jehron was appointed by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan to seek out brothers who might be interested in learning more about the Teachings of The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
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I accepted the card from Brother Jehron and he sent me literature, and tapes of the Most Hon. Elijah Muhammad and Min. Farrakhan. He also sent copies of The Final Call newspaper. I studied these tapes and The Final Call papers intensely. My studies qualified me to teach others. This led me to work to get Muhammad’s Prison Program (as it was called back in 1980) re-established within the Pennsylvania Prison System.
I was asked by Brother Jehron to function in the capacity of Inmate Representative for The Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan and The Nation of Islam. I accepted and ISLAM changed my life forever. I never looked back.
Brother Jehron put me in personal contact with The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan back in July 1981. I was in personal contact with Minister Farrakhan for 30 years. He answered every single letter I wrote; and, accepted all of my “collect calls” to his office. I consulted him on how I was to proceed with the re-establishment of “Muhammad’s Prison Program.” Many brothers stood with me in this effort and I can never thank Allah enough for blessing me to be in the midst of these brothers.
We endured the “persecution” because we desired to follow the Teachings of Islam as taught by the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad through Min. Louis Farrakhan. I am “alive” today, because I listened to Minister Louis Farrakhan’s message and followed his Divine Guidance.
I have seen the manifestation of Allah’s Power inside of the “Belly of the Beast,” transforming lives as my life has been transformed. I made many friends as a result of being a student and inmate representative for Minister Farrakhan. Islam brought out of me creativity that I never knew was inside of me. ISLAM SAVED MY LIFE! In 1991, I was faced with great opposition from “internal problems” within the ranks of the Brotherhood while incarcerated at SCI-Pittsburgh.
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan introduced me to his Student N.O.I. National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad. Minister Farrakhan sent Brother Abdullah Muhammad into SCI-Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to settle the differences among the brothers following his leadership. Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah was able to settle our differences and started the restructuring of our program at SCI-Pittsburgh, Penn.. I was released from prison on November 22, 2011.
In 2012, Prison Reform Minister Muhammad asked me to help him carry out his commission from Minister Farrakhan by functioning in the capacity of N.O.I. Delaware Valley Regional Student Prison Reform Minister. I accepted this assignment.
All praises are due to Allah for the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Minister Farrakhan! Islam blessed me with a M.G.T. wife, Sister Catherine Muhammad. I see her as a good helper of Minister Farrakhan. Islam has given me a “new beginning.” Islam also led me in the field of dentistry. I am a newly-graduated Dental Assistant. I know that without Islam none of this could have been achieved, because everything else failed me.
It is through the “Muslim Prayer,” that I am who I am today, a striving Muslim and student of a Great Teacher, the Most Hon. Elijah Muhammad through Minister Louis Farrakhan. This is what “Islam” has done for me. I encourage Final Call newspaper readers to try “Islam” after all else has “failed.” The Prayer of The Muslims will get you an answer.
