Clara Muhammad

Fard’s lectures, where he introduced his interpretation of Islam to African Americans during the Great Depression, attracting followers by promising a way out of racial misery and suffering.

She was akin to the “preacher’s wife” in Christian churches, fulfilling various duties such as playing the piano during services, teaching Sunday school, and accompanying her husband during his trips.

[6] She guided the organization during her husband's absence from 1935 to 1946 as he fled death threats from rival temple leaders and was then incarcerated for sedition during World War II.

Like Fard Muhammad, the founder of the Nation of Islam, Sister Clara understood the importance of their follower’s education as a vehicle for success in a predominantly white society.

[9] She had more schooling than her husband, Elijah Muhammad, and assisted him in his studies in order for him to better understand assigned teachings and engage in activities that required literacy skills.

[13] However, children's attendance at the schools was considered truancy and resulted in prosecutions and violent confrontations between Temple members and police in Detroit, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois.