Minister Abdul Haleem Muhammad, of the Nation of Islam’s Mosque 45, served as the spiritual advisor for two men on Texas' death row, Odell Barnes (executed on March 1, 2000) and Shaka Sankofa (a.k.a. Gary Graham, executed on June 22, 2000). In partial fulfillment of his role as their spiritual advisor, Minister Muhammad witnessed both of their executions. Both Shaka Sankofa and Odell Barnes professed their innocence of the crimes that they had been convicted of that had sent them to death row throughout their time on death row and up to the time of their executions. Click on the two links found below to read the writings of Minister Muhammad, titled "Dancing with Demons," in which he shares his reflections about serving as a witness to two executions.
Click on the above link to see Minister Muhammad speaking in one of the episodes of his podcast titled One Blackman's Opinion. This podcast is in the tradition of the late Roy Wood, Sr.'s syndicated commentary once airing over the National Black Network in the 1970s. The podcast is to inform, inspire, and motivate positive change in society.
On February 18, 2023 I sat down with Minister Muhammad in Houston to hear firsthand how his experience as a spiritual advisor who had witnessed two executions impacted him in a very significant, traumatic manner.
Dancing with Demons: Give the Devil His Due
Dancing with Demons: Personal Reflections from Death Row