HISTORY of The Honorable Minister Linwood X
Leader and Founder of the Nation of Islam of Canada
Early Years



The Honorable Minister Linwood X was born Linwood E. Maye April 15th, 1950 in Kinston, North Carolina. He was raised in a Baptist family (his father was a full blooded Cherokee Indian) and grew up on the farm where he learned the rudiments of hard work. By the time he reached the 5th grade, young Linwood had to leave school in order to help in the financial support of his family. 



In his early teens, Minister Linwood moved from North Carolina to Albany, New York due to a greater opportunity for him to find employment in the North. While living in the tough streets of Albany, he gained the reputation as a gangster and became known as RAP. His reputation had reached such heights that many, even the police, where planning to take him down due to his dangerous lifestyle.



Bro. Linwood joins the N.O.I.



At the age of 16, Minister Linwood first heard the teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. A few of the brothers from the F.O.I. (Fruit of Islam) invited Bro. Linwood to attend a meeting at Muhammad’s Temple #13 in Springfield, Massachusetts. After hearing the message delivered by Minister John Muhammad, Bro. Linwood cut his “perm” and joined the Nation of Islam, convinced that the teachings of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad were what he and our people needed.


Bro. Linwood X was a faithful and dedicated soldier. Along with his Lieutenant, Bro. Rufus X, he was given the assignment to establish a satellite Temple in Albany, NY. The building (which used to be a funeral parlor) chosen to be Muhammad’s Temple #13 B or C was located on 122 ½ Lark St. 



Bro. Linwood X and Bro. Lt. Rufus X worked hard to renovate and beautify the historic building on Lark St. He worked night and day, often until 3 or 5 o’clock in the morning. After a hard nights work, he would report back to the Temple at 6 or 7 o’clock in the morning to push the Muhammad Speaks newspaper or the fish program. He would also work at the Shabazz restaurant or the fish market on South Pearl Street. He would then report back to the Temple in order to clean and paint all night.



Under the auspices of John Muhammad and later under Minister Usman Mecky, Bro. Linwood rose through the ranks. He became Squad Leader, and in 1970 attained the post of Lieutenant. He took charge of his post and worked tirelessly to establish the Messenger’s teaching in Albany.



Change in Direction



The Temple was just beginning to grow, when Wallace Muhammad, son of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad became the leader of the Nation of Islam after the Messenger passed away in 1975. Wallace Muhammad moved the Nation toward an orthodox, Arab persuasion of Islam and changed the structure of the N.O.I. The Temple was changed into a masjied and all the work of Bro. Linwood disappeared.



The masjied then became a nightclub where alcohol and pork was sold. Many of the believers, saddened by these drastic changes, left Islam and returned to the life of the streets.



Bro. Linwood also went through a great period of trial and tribulation at this point in his life, going through various changes in lifestyle. He became everything from a preacher, a soldier in the military and even joined a Masonic Lodge. He also worked as an assistant for the D.A. in Albany and as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor. 



Years passed on, however Minister Linwood could not escape his mission to serve Allah (God). He saw the deplorable condition of our people and the fire of Islam was rekindled in his heart.



Minister Linwood X once again went to work to reestablish the Temple on Lark Street, this time in Minister Louis Farrakhan’s branch of the Nation of Islam. He started with 20 bean pies and a case of fish.



For 6 years, he worked hard to establish the Messenger’s teaching. He often had to face great opposition from people jealous of the progress Allah (God) was blessing him to make.



Minister Linwood X comes to Canada



The seeds of greatness and the beginning of Minister Linwood X’s mission from Allah (God) began to truly bear fruit when he became the Minister over Montreal and Ottawa in Canada in 1993.



For years Minister Linwood X would travel by night (often by himself) to teach and train the brothers and sisters in Montreal and Ottawa. Many of them spoke only French and very little English, however his strong faith in Allah pushed him to reach out to the masses. Sacrificing his own comfort, the Minister made much progress in spreading the Hon. Elijah Muhammad’s teaching to Black people from the Caribbean, Africa and Canada. He became known throughout Montreal and Ottawa (and beyond) for his outstanding leadership ability.



The Birth of the Nation of Islam of Canada



In 1997, he resigned as a representative of Minister Louis Farrakhan’s branch of the N.O.I. His decision caused a great stir in Albany, Montreal and Ottawa. The Temple in Albany was pillaged and forced to close its doors. Believers in Montreal were attacked and the Minister’s name and reputation were slandered creating an atmosphere dangerous for the safety of Minister Linwood X.



It was at this time when Minister Linwood X embarked on a spiritual pilgrimage to North Carolina, the place of his birth. In the wide cornfields of Kinston on a summer night in 1997, Minister Linwood X received his mission from Allah (God) to return to Canada and establish the Nation of Islam of Canada.



He became the first man in history to establish an independent branch of the Nation of Islam outside of the U.S. He also returned to Albany, NY to reestablish the Temple on Lark St. naming it Muhammad’s Temple #13. Minister Linwood X is the only man to establish the same Temple (that is still active today) 3 times. First, under the Hon. Elijah Muhammad, then in the late 80’s and finally under the banner of the Nation of Islam of Canada. 



The Work of the Hon. Min. Linwood X in Canada



From 1997 to 2000, Minister Linwood X (for a time known as Minister Hassan Rasoul Muhammad) established: Temples in Montreal, Ottawa and Albany, the Salaam Fish ‘n’ Chips restaurant, 2 Brothers Barbershop, #2 Boutique, republished the Muhammad Speaks newspaper, reinstated the Muslim Whiting Fish program, was inspired to design a new black and red F.O.I. uniform. He also initiated the free dinners at the Salaam program, and organized such memorable events as the Salute to Community Leaders ceremony two years in a row, Salute to Women, Beyond the Jungles of Africa and much more.



An Enduring Legacy



The Hon. Min. Linwood X changed the lives of countless numbers of people. He cleaned up those under drug addiction, low self esteem, alcoholism, laziness and poverty and instilled in them a love for Allah, His Messenger and Black people.


He was an advisor, a guide, and a counselor. He was a friend to the friendless and a protector of the weak. He was a powerful orator (affectionately dubbed the “Minister of Power and Energy” and the “Lion”). He was a soldier, a general and a true warrior. He was generous, kind and humble. He was courageous, firm, disciplined, hard working and brilliant. He was a leader in the truest sense of the word.



The Honorable Minister Linwood X passed away on November 2nd, 2000. His legacy will forever be remembered in the history of the Black nation. He was a true servant of Allah in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad and a true disciple of His Messenger the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
May Allah be forever pleased with him.