HONORING
Imam Jamil Al‑Amin: A Life of Truth, Justice, and Leadership
From the fiery rhetoric of H. Rap Brown to the spiritual leadership of Imam Jamil
Imam Jamil Al-Amin
Imam Jamil Al-Amin is a pivotal figure in the American human rights struggle. As the chairman of SNCC in the 1960s, he defined an era of resistance. As a Muslim leader in Atlanta, he transformed the West End community, ridding it of drugs and violence. Today, he remains a symbol of resilience against systemic injustice.
My name is Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, the former H. Rap Brown. I am a devoted servant of Allah, and an unwavering devotee to His cause. For more than 30 years, I have been tormented and persecuted by my enemies for reasons of race and belief.
1
1966-1971
Early Life & Activism
The Revolutionary Era: H. Rap Brown (1966–1971)
- SNCC Leadership: Between 1966 and 1967, known as H. Rap Brown, he was appointed Director of the Greene County Project in Alabama for SNCC, where he organized projects and was instrumental in organizing the Black vote. In May 1967, he was elected Chairman of SNCC, succeeding Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture), and guided the organization to focus on human rights issues.
- Black Panther Affiliation: In 1968, along with other SNCC officers, he was given the honorary title of Minister of Justice of the Black Panther Party.
- Oratorical Power: His leadership was characterized by his “penetrating analysis of structural racism globally and in the United States” and his “unique oration style,” resulting in his being seen as a charismatic leader capable of mobilizing the African American community against White supremacy. He coined several sentences that became slogans of the Civil Rights Movement.
As his commitment intensified, Hubert Gerald Brown became the influential figure H. Rap Brown, marking a shift toward more radical activism that was immediately perceived as a profound "threat to the status quo".
2
1943-1966
Conversion To Islam & Community Building
- The Shahada: In December 1971, while imprisoned in the Rikers Island, New York jail, H. Rap Brown took his shahada (declaration of faith), proclaiming he was a Muslim. He was initially invited to attend his first Jummah service by Muslim inmates there.
- New Identity: He adopted the name Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, which means “beautiful servant of Allah the trustworthy”.
Imam Jamil Al-Amin's life and work are fundamentally redefined by his conversion to Islam, which marked a transition from the militant secular activism of H. Rap Brown to a period of intense religious leadership and unprecedented community building. Despite this spiritual refinement, his conscious struggle for justice continued, leading to further government surveillance and culminating in his current wrongful incarceration.
Join the Struggle for Justice
Imam Jamil Al-Amin dedicated his life to fighting for our rights. Now, it’s our turn to fight for his. ICNA CSJ is building a volunteer corps to advocate for justice, medical equity, and freedom for our political prisoners. We need your skills: Social Media & Digital Advocacy Community Organizing & Outreach Event Planning Content Writing & Research