Al-Hajj Sayyd Abdul Al-Khabyyr (born Russell Linwood Thomas [Muslim name adopted in 1971]; 22 March 1935 – 15 February 2017), was an American Canadian saxophonist (soprano, alto, tenor and baritone), clarinetist, flautist (flute and piccolo) and composer.

His pupils included the flautist Jennifer Waring, trumpeter Chris Place, and saxophonists Mary-Jo Rudolf, Richard Beaudet and Rémi Bolduc.

He also performed in various contemporary music settings such as the SMCQ ensemble (Société de musique contemporaine du Québec), Walter Boudreau's Infonie, Dionne-Brégent, TRIO 3 (composed of Sayyd, Pauline Vaillancourt and Michael Laucke),[6] worked in studio and theatre orchestras, and played jazz at his own establishment, Café Mo-Jo.

[7] He also recorded and performed with, among many others; Tony Bennett,[8] Tito Puente, Mario Rivera, the Savoy Sultans, Illinois Jacquet, the Afro-Asian Jazz Ensemble, Arturo Sandoval, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Walter Davis Jr., Giovanni Hidalgo, Charlie Palmieri, Milt Jackson, Candido Gamero, Charlie Persip and Superband,[2] Pharoah Sanders and Yusef Lateef.

[4] Through their common faith Abdul Al-Khabyyr developed a friendship with boxing great Muhammad Ali, who would stay in his town of Mount Royal home when visiting the area.