NEW YORK— On August 29 and 30, the Billie Holiday Theater hosted “Your Brother Jamil,” a one-man production about the life and experiences of Nation of Islam Student Minister Jamil Muhammad and his journey of faith, adversity, and the quiet, often unseen work of spiritual growth.
The play, produced by the Chicago-based Mahdi Theatre Company, weaves humor, music, history, and drama into a reflective journey that speaks directly to the soul. It marked Brother Jamil’s acting debut.
At its core, the production reveals the majesty of Allah’s (God’s) Love and Mercy. Through honest reflection and heartfelt storytelling, audiences witnessed lessons learned, faith tested, and the ongoing pursuit to be one with Allah (God)—leaving many inspired, uplifted, and visibly transformed.
The staging was intentionally simple. No props. No elaborate set pieces. Just Brother Jamil’s monologues, delivered with emotional clarity and narrative precision. His performance was balanced by actress Victoria C. Bradley, who appeared as his mother—grounding the production with warmth, humor, and a steady counterpoint to his introspective storytelling.
C. Bradley, who portrayed his mother, Mae, in
the performance.
The simplicity of the stage placed full weight on the words, the memories, and the spiritual testimony unfolding in real time.
Producer Margaret Mahdi is the founder of the Mahdi Theatre Company. She told The Final Call that staging the production in New York was intentional. “New York carries a deep theatrical significance,” she said. “This story deserved to be told on a stage with history.”
Audience members described the performance as both personal and communal—a story of one man that echoed the struggles and triumphs of many.
Sister Shara Gilchrist-Hamilton of Dunnellon, New Jersey, who has known Brother Jamil for decades, said the play captured a lifetime of evolution. “I felt very proud of Brother Jamil because the play showed his growth over the years. I met him when I was 18. I’m almost 60 now. To watch his growth and everything he’s accomplished made me proud.”
She said the story’s message resonated deeply within the community. “You should never count yourself out. No matter what challenges you face, you can rise above your faults or misjudgments. His story connects with a lot of men in the community.”
Brother Daquan Muhammad of Brooklyn said the production offered a reminder that life’s chapters are meant to move us forward. “The play reminds us that the different chapters of life grow you. They leave you with new perspectives and give you the tools and strategies to develop, so you don’t stay stuck.”
Brother Michael Muhammad of Mosque No. 7C in Brooklyn, said the emotional transparency of the performance stood out. “Brother Jamil opened up about his life and showed both the positive and the negative. You rarely find someone willing to show the dark side of their life. It was beautiful.”
He added that the historical arc of the play—from the 1960s Black Power era to modern-day challenges—gave the production cultural weight.
Sister Lora Muhammad of Mosque No. 7 in New York described the impact as “phenomenal.”
“He touched on the trauma, the pain, and the rehabilitation of his life. This is reality, and he hit home.” She recommended everyone see the play.
Though “Your Brother Jamil” centers on the life of one individual, the production reaches beyond biography. It becomes a meditation on redemption, responsibility, and the enduring Mercy of Allah (God)—themes that resonated across generations in the audience.
The play’s message was clear: growth is possible, faith is sustaining, and no chapter of life is wasted when it leads you back to purpose.
