Title
Honoring Mr. Abdul-Rahim Muhammad, on the occasion of Black History Month, for his contributions to West Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Abdul-Rahim Muhammad is the son of the late Sheik Abdul-Malik Muhammad and Catherine Schartz. His parents joined the Nation of Islam in 1958 and his father was a co-worker and friend to Malcolm X and W.D. Mohammed; and
WHEREAS, Abdul-Rahim Muhammad was raised in West Philadelphia and graduated from Overbook High School and the Community College of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Abdul-Rahim Muhammad founded and led the Islamic Cultural Preservation and Information Council (ICPIC), as well as the New African Center/Muslim American Museum & Archive, and ICPIC New Africa Center CDC. As an administrator and multicultural education consultant, he planned programs, conducted professional development workshops for school staff, and presented to students and community forums. Throughout his esteemed career, he taught over a thousand teachers and three thousand students about Black and Islamic history, culture, and beliefs; and
WHEREAS, Abdul-Rahim Muhammad’s signature programs include the Annual Islamic Heritage Festival and Parade at Penn’s Landing, the Lancaster Avenue Historical New Freedom District initiative, and the ICPIC New Africa Center’s expansion plan to transform lower Lancaster Avenue using arts and culture, history, and neighborhood identity as an economic engine to rebuild our community; and
WHEREAS, Abdul-Rahim Muhammad is also the founder of the New Freedom District Association and serves as a member of PACDC, the Lancaster Avenue Business Association, the University of Pennsylvania Netter Center Advisory Board, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Muslim American Community Association. He previously served on the New African National Archive Project, the Philadelphia Masjid Board of Directors, and the People’s Emergency Center Neighborhood Advisory Committee; and
WHEREAS, Black History is West Philadelphian History. Abdul-Rahim Muhammad is one of West and Southwest’s most dedicated and accomplished living Black History Makers. He has dedicated his life to preserving and celebrating Black Philadelphia history, as well as inspiring a new generation of aspiring Black History Makers to be the change they want to see in their communities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, the Council of the City of Philadelphia honors Mr. Abdul-Rahim Muhammad, on the occasion of Black History Month, for his contributions to West Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, An Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Abdul-Rahim Muhammad as a token of this body’s respect and appreciation.
End