LANSING, MI — Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the month of fasting from dawn until dusk. The fasting is to develop humility for mankind and also learn self control. It’s a time of intensive prayer and reflection. Ramadan is also the month in which the first verses of the Qur’an was revealed. The annual date of Ramadan is based on the sighting on the moon.
This year Ramadan fell on August 22, the same day Muhammad Abu-Bakr entered into the Marine Corps in 1967. Abu-Bakr said that he has experienced two sides of religion. He grew up as Louis E. Haynie or more fondly known by close friends and family as “Butch” in Lansing, MI in 50’s and 60’s during the height of change in America.
Abu-Bakr attended Collins Memorial African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church, which is now Trinity AME church, located at 3500 W. Holmes Road. When he was a boy he sang in the choir and was also an alter boy. From a young age, it appeared that he was being groomed to be a minister.
After a 4-year stint in the Marine Corps, which included 14 months in Vietnam, his perspective on life and religion changed. Abu-Bakr said that being in Vietnam was one of the most unsettling experiences of his life. When he returned to the “world” and tried to pick up where he left off, he found that it was very difficult. He recalled that his innocence was gone. He found that he had a greater thirst for the truth regarding the nightmares which were the result of the attrocities seen in the hot rugged terrain of Vietnam. He felt that the answers that he needed were not being given or not known by those who previously led him spiritually.
Abu-Bakr said , “I had a very close death experience. I was in a fox hole and was under mortar attack. I thought there was going to be a great possibility that I was going to die. I called out to God. I went directly to God. I believed in Christianity because that’s how I was raised and that’s what I was taught. I just accepted it. But after going through so many near death experiences, I found myself calling on God directly. From the depths of anguish and despair, that is the cry that came out.”
On September 13, 1976, Haynie (Abu-Bakr) reverted to Islam. Abu-Bakr said that most people thought that his love of Islam was a fad.
One day after giving his mother, Rosie Marie Haynie, several books on Islam, she handed the last book he had given her back to him and gently explained, “Butch, don’t try to change me, I’m not trying to change you. But just be sure that what you’re doing is for the right reason. Make sure you aren’t doing it because your friend is doing it.”
That request was made over 32 years ago and Abu-Bakr is still faithfully practicing Islam. In 1980, his faith was deepened while on a 4 month religious trip to India. Upon returning to work at the Board of Water and Light he fought to wear traditional Islamic clothing. At the time, the issue was regarding his dress and his highly visible position.
According to an article written by the Lansing State Journal (LSJ) on February 28, 1986, “The utility told a state civil rights investigator that “customers might become upset when they saw (Abu-Bakr) in Islamic attire because of the way customers interpret connections between the high energy prices and Middle Eastern countries.”
During his lifetime, Abu-Bakr also was a jazz musician.
“I was a musician who played all types of music ranging from R&B, Gospel, Country, Blues, Hard Rock, Jazz and Fusion. I ended with Avante Garde which completed my musical spiritual search. That search left me empty handed,” explained Abu-Bakr.
He gave up music to study Islam devoutly, much like Chauney Hawkins , formerly known as the rapper, Loon, and part of P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Records who had spent a majority of his life striving to reach the top of the music industry. Deluded by money and the fame he realized that was chasing a mirage. In December of 2008, on a tour in Dubai, according to Chauncey he stepped out of darkness and into the light after he discovered Islam. His Islamic name is Amir Muhadith.
He was at the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing on August 15, 2009. He was invited to speak with the youth at the Islamic Center about the responsibilities of being a Muslim and not giving in to peer pressure. Many Muslim youth feel compelled to change to inappropriate behavior because of the stigma that has been placed on being a Muslim.
Abu- Bakr said that he understands how the youth feel. He remarked, “No matter how old you are there are many prejudices that need to be dispelled regarding Islam. I was always being challenged. Especially regarding how I dressed. I thrived on the challenge because I knew in my heart that I was doing the right thing. When I hear negative criticism I ignore it. But the majority of the time, I view it as a blessing because it’s not me that they need to watch.”
Abu-Bakr states when he’s asked why doesn’t he go back to his own country, he tells them that he was born and raised in America and enjoys his right to freedom of religion just like everyone else.
