There are many things I can say about my admiration for Brother Naba’a “Richard” Muhammad. He was my brother, my friend, pro-Black and, most definitely, pro-Farrakhan.
My friend passed on June 6, and I will miss him dearly.
I am happy to say I have no regrets, as we sometimes do when a loved one passes. We wish we had called the person or told them “I love you.” Or we regret that the last time we saw each other we argued and left without resolving our differences.
Naba’a and I often talked about our successes and our challenges, and we offered honest counsel whenever needed. We truly loved each other.
As my managing editor at The Final Call newspaper, I felt confident he had my back just as I had his whenever he would call on me when he became editor.
But most of all, I admire his example as a single father, his love for Black people, and his “boot stomping” defense of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
I watched him handle the difficult role of managing editor while raising two young, energetic boys. I say difficult role as managing editor because of the pride we take in producing the publication, and the desire to properly represent the Nation and its Publisher. We strove for perfection.
We would spend hours at The Final Call building, putting the paper together, especially during the years prior to major advancements in digital publishing. Many times, he’d awaken his boys to take them home when we finally finished in the wee hours of the morning on press nights.
He was a quick-witted, passionate writer who loved the Black press, winning numerous awards for himself and the publication from the National Newspaper Publishers Association and other organizations.
Bro. Naba’a didn’t drive so he was either on public transportation or we’d ride together from one place to another with his boys. I often told him I see his picture in the dictionary when I look up the word “father.”
We, as Black men, can learn something from Brother Naba’a on how to show up for our children. He showed the same relentless support for his four children from his second marriage. And he was a father figure to other young boys in his neighborhood.
Bro. Naba’a was a caring, yet no-nonsense teacher and mentor to many younger people who worked or contributed in any way to The Final Call. He always encouraged the curious writer or anxious photographer, gave them advice, sent them on a story, and gave a loving, yet serious critique of whatever they brought back.
He took three young students under his wings, calling them “Muhammad’s Angels,” and nurtured them through school, taking their contributions, giving guidance on writing before sending their articles back for a rewrite. Today those three talented sisters are either on Final Call staff or contributing in other major ways.
Most people who knew Bro. Naba’a will mention his passionate love for and defense of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. In addition to his fiery editorial commentaries, Bro. Naba’a created a radio show and podcast called “Straight Words.”
He would advise listeners to call in and take the time needed to make their point. But don’t let a caller state an untruth about Minister Farrakhan or try to push one of the enemy’s tired narratives about the Minister and the Nation.
I would call him “the torch” because after he finished dismantling the caller’s attempt to disparage Minister Farrakhan, the terrain was completely burned. (smile)
I was honored to be one of several F.O.I. blessed to wash and prepare Bro. Naba’a’s body for an Islamic burial. It is a moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I’ve never been that close to a deceased body for such an extended period, not to think of handling the body in such an intricate and delicate way.
The experience hammered home for me like never before the finality of our existence as a physical being and that I, and we, must get busier doing the work of Our Father in the struggle to raise the consciousness of our people, and all of humanity—just as our brother Naba’a Muhammad did during his time among us.
May Allah be pleased with Bro. Naba’a Muhammad, my friend.
Brother James G. Muhammad is the former Editor-in-Chief of The Final Call and current Contributing Editor.