by Theresa X Torres

On May 19, 2002, Nation of Islam Minister Abdul Rabb Muhammad began a five-prison tour in the California Department of Corrections (CDC). Min. Rabb (formerly Minister Billy X) came into the Nation in 1963 in Santa Barbara, Ca., where he served as secretary and eventually as minister.

In 1966, he set-up the temple in Oxnard, Ca. From 1970–1973, Minister Rabb served as Minister of the temple in Oakland, Ca. He was one of those privileged to have sat at the "table-talks" of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.

Minister Rabb visited Soledad, San Quentin and Deuel Vocational Institution state prisons as part of his prison ministry prior to 1975. In 1979, he stood up to help the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan rebuild the work of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Presently, he is establishing a Study Group in West Oakland, Ca.

Min. Rabb, 66, exemplifying that there is no retirement for Muslims in Islam, resumed his prison ministry work starting with this prison tour which included California State Prison-Solano (CSP-Solano) in Vacaville, Ca., California Youth Authority (CYA) in Stockton, Ca.; Folsom State Prison in Represa, Ca.; Correctional Training Facility (CTF—Soledad State Prison) in Soledad, Ca.; and California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville, Ca. Captain Terrance Muhammad was also part of this prison tour. He opened each meeting, introduced Minister Rabb and prepared the men to receive him.

Beginning the tour at CSP-Solano, Minister Rabb spoke to an enthusiastic and appreciative group of 81 inmates. Minister Rabb told the men that Minister Farrakhan loves them and thinks about them often.

Five days later, Minister Rabb continued the tour at CYA where Imam Yusuf Ali, the Muslim Chaplain, hosted him. He addressed 119 wards (inmates), on four separate facilities, telling them that they could not be properly educated until they had a thorough knowledge of self. Minister Rabb stated: "If you do not think of consequences, you could end up in adult prison. Prepare yourselves not to come back!"

Within 12 hours of speaking at CYA, Minister Rabb was at Folsom (Old-Folsom), where the N.O.I. community hosted him. He delivered a message to 88 inmates, telling the men that God wants to redeem them. "We’re waiting for you to come home to teach. You can stop a lot of youngsters from going through the experiences you have. É," he said.

After touring three prisons, Minister Rabb returned to CSP-Solano, on May 26, 2002, to address another group of 38 inmates. On June 1, 2002, at CTF hosted by Imam Antar Jannah (the Muslim Chaplain), Min. Rabb visited two facilities. He told the men that the best minds and talents were in prison. "This is not your future. I don’t care how much time you’ve got, you’re coming out of here," he said. "God will open these doors, but when you come out [be] prepared to take care of yourself, to compete."

Ending the prison tour at CMF on June 24, 2002, Minister Rabb spoke to 110 inmates who interrupted his speech on numerous occasions with applause and cheers. He told the men, Islam comes to solve the problems and the teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, being expressed by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, is designed especially for the [mentally, morally, spiritually, intellectually, politically and economically] dead—to bring us to life, so that we could build a future for ourselves."

"This was the largest group of men to ever gather at CMF for an NOI meeting. As a result of the regular meeting room being filled to capacity and men sitting on the floor all the way up to the podium, the administration allowed the meeting to be moved to a large chapel," stated Brother General Muhammad. "After the meeting, the men gave Minister Rabb a standing ovation and made comments of appreciation."