YUSUF ALI
As a native of Sacramento, growing up in Glen Elders and Oak Park; attending Camilla Elementary School, Will C. Wood Jr. High, and Sacramento High – I was always a free spirit, fun loving and somewhat reckless. I grew up in a Christian family, attending St. Andrews AME Church and though I was a little too young to join the Black Panther Party, I always identified with that movement for my Black Pride, Black Beauty, and Black Power.
After graduation from High School (1973), I attended the University of Oregon where I became exposed to Eastern thought, metaphysics, and the spiritual sciences of Ancient Egypt (definitely not elective courses) but nevertheless, my own personal pursuit.
I was once described as a cross between Huey Newton and Jimi Hendrix. For me, the Hippies had something to offer too. “Strawberry Fields Forever”? I was curious…
It was not until leaving Oregon and transferring to San Diego State University (1975) that I had that life changing experience. Elijah Muhammad had just passed away and his son, Wallace D. Muhammad, assumed the leadership position of the Nation of Islam. It was, in my estimation, the greatest spiritual revolution of our time and one that still, after forty-three years, resonates deep and is a guiding factor in my life.
I have since traveled the world, with twenty-eight countries under my belt and counting – including, the Pilgrimage to Mecca, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, to name a few - and most recently, Senegal (2016).
My attraction to AABH has not been so much for the healthy diet and nutrition, but more for the great seminars, the dynamic MINDS speaking on a wide range of subjects pertinent to our total well being.
I only hope that I can make a small contribution to such a big effort.
“Know Thyself – For he who knows thyself knows thy Lord”
Peace,
Yusuf Ali