Intro
Jameela Hakim wrote the “History of The First Muslim Mosque in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania” Cedar Rapids: Igram Press, 1979. In it she covered how the Ahmadiyya Movement was involved in destroying Islam for thousands of African-American who wanted to learn Islam. Her essay was turned into a chapter in a famous book entitled, “Islam in North America : a sourcebook” (1992). Dr. Beverly Amina McCloud mentioned the ethnographic work of Jameela Hakim in her book, “
Jameela Hakim seems to have interviewed African-American Muslims in Pittsburgh and thus wrote her ethnographic study, there are no references at all. She mentions the honorary Qadiani-Ahmadi Maulvi Muhammad Yusaf Khan extensively. However, she didn’t quote any of the Moslem Sunrise or the Review of Religions (ROR). Check out our full history of Ahmadiyya in the USA herein. It should also be noted that Hakim mentioned Saeed Akmal (famous Ex-Ahmadi in Pittsburgh) extensively, however, she didn’t mention Wali Akram (famous Ex-Ahmadi in Cleveland)(See Dannin for extensive research work on Akram).
In 1929, Muhammad Yusaf Khan began using the term “Sufi” in front of his name and he was in Dayton, Ohio giving free lectures on Islam (see Dayton Herald of Monday, March-18, 1929). This was after the arrival of Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali (summer-1928), who was working mainly out of Chicago. Thus, Sufi Muhammad Yusaf Khan began touring Ohio, Pennsylvania and etc.
By 1930, Sheikh Nasir Ahmad (Aka Walter Smith Bey) began inviting Sufi Muhammad Yusaf Khan to attend to his flock of believers (former members of the Moorish Science Temple {MST}) in Pittsburgh, PA and to teach them Arabic and basic Islam. Thus, by 1930, Ahmadiyya beliefs were already influencing (See the Moslem Sunrise [July-1930, see page 13][inactive for 6 years]) the former members of the Moorish Science Temple (MST) in Pittsburgh, PA. The Moslem Sunrise of Dec-1930 alleged that Dr. M.Y. Khan is a zealous missionary and working in and around Pittsburgh and Cincinatti and with marvelous success. Dr. M.Y. Khan has an essay entitled “Beauties of Islam”. His name (Dr. M.Y. Khan) is written along with the official mailing address of 2222 Webster Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Interestingly, a list of donors is given in the same Moslem Sunrise and not a single name from Pittsburgh, Cincinatti or Cleveland is mentioned. Hakim says the same but doesn’t give a proper timeline.
From 1931 to 1934, it seemed to be business as usual, the Moslem Sunrise of April-July-1931 alleges that Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali had been touring NY and trying to get converts, he also went to Connecticut, Virginia and Pennsylvania. In the Moslem Sunrise of Oct-1931/Jan-1932, Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali alleges to have toured and given speeches in Chicago, Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania, Indianapolis-Indiana, St. Louis-MO, Grand Rapids-Dowagiac-Detroit, Michigan and Gary, Indiana. Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali claims that have had Ahmadi’s meet up in 11 places around America to celebrate the “Life of the Prophet”. 2 in Chicago, 1 each in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Kansas City, East St. Louis, Cincinatti, Pittsburgh and Washington, Pennsylvania. Sufi Muti-ur-Rahman Bengali mentions all 6 Mission’s of the Ahmadiyya Movement in the USA. This includes the mission at 2222 Webster Ave Pittsburgh, PA, which is operated by M. Y. Khan. It also includes a location at 928 W. 7th St. Cincinatti, OH. which is ran and operated by a man named Mr. N.A. Halik. The 4th location in the USA is operated by Brother T. Ahmad at 350 W. 16th St. Indianapolis, IN. The 5th is a new mission in Detroit, at 537 Hendrie St. The 6th is another new mission in Kansas City (MO), at 913 Woodland Ave. In the Moslem World magazine of Jan-1933 (page 90)(See scan in the below) you will find the famous short paragraph on “Islam in Pittsburgh”. This paragraph is written by “The United Presbyterian” (newspaper). One of the book sellers/peddlers who work with this newspaper has recently observed a Muslim missionary looking for converts among the negroes of Pittsburgh and pointing at Christianity and calling out their use of slavery. Also pointing out that in Islam, all are brothers. They also mention how these “Muslims in Pittsburgh” believe that Jesus died in India.
Jameela Hakim mistakenly alleges that Maulvi Muhammad Yusaf Khan came to the USA in the early 1930’s, that wasn’t accurate, he did go back and forth to India and might have came back from a recent trip (he worked an import/export business wherein he sold Islamic things) in 1929. She also claims that Maulvi Muhammad Yusaf Khan died in 1979 (unverified). She explains how Maulvi Muhammad Yusaf Khan brought Islamic reform to these people and they weren’t practicing Islam.
Post-Gazette, August 1, 1932. Dr. M. Yusuf Khan (pictured) in 1933 officiated at Saaed Akmal’s short-lived second marriage.
In Feb-1934, Dr. Yusuf Khan is mentioned in the Cleveland Call and Post of Sat, Feb 03, 1934 ·Page 2. Reports of activity are given. The first report is from Youngstown, Ohio by Amtul Majeed. Amtul tells us that a famous female teacher named Madame Begum has been out of town on a preaching tour but will return soon. Shaikh Haque has been the teacher at the Youngstown mission in her absence. On Sunday night, Sheikh Haque spoke about “When East meets West”. Signed off as Amtul Majeed, reporter. There is also a report from the Dayton Mosque, by Shaikh Nazeer Elahi. Shaikh Nazeer Elahi explains how on last Wednesday and Thursday nights, Dr. M. Yusuf Khan (their leader) was amongst the congregation in Dayton, Ohio. 9 people allegedly converted to Ahmadiyya. It is also reported that Shaikh Nazeer Elahi is about to leave on a preaching mission to Cincinatti. Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad (spelled as Sh. Ashiq Akmad) is also mentioned as part of the clergy. Bro Abdul Lateef is mentioned as someone who is helping vs. Christians. Akram Mustafa has been out sick. Signed off by Azeeza Bur Han, reporter. There is also a report on the Braddock Mosque by Abdullah Easa. Last Sunday, Jan-21-1934 at 7pm, Bro Hajee Malik gave a lecture on “Is Islam the Truest Religion to Follow”. Bro Abdullah Rasool also gave a lecture. On Tuesday evening, they attended the head mosque for an event at the school, lectures were given by Shaikh Akmal and Shaikh Abu Saleh. There is also a report from the Muslims of Akron. Their mosque has moved to 167 Bluff St. Shaikh Shuban is one of their main teachers. Signed off as Hameed Sarat, reporter.
In 1979, On page 157, Hakim explains how Dr. Muhammad Yusaf Khan made 13 African-American as “Sheikhs”:
1. Nasir Ahmad
2. ilm Deen
3. Yunus Waheed
4. Nazeer Elahi
5. Abu Saleh
6. Karam Ghalab
7. Rasheeda Khitab
8. Sadi Malik
9. Jafar Sadiq
10. Zadir Ahmad
11. Ameen Ghani
12. Ahmad Salehy
13. Saeed Akmal


In Apr-1934, via the Cleveland Call and Post of Sat, Apr 07, 1934 ·Page 2, there is a photo of M. Yusuf Khan. This is about the Cleveland Mosque. The Ahmadiyya regional headquarter has been changed from Pittsburgh to 5311 Woodland Ave in Cleveland. The headquarters was in Pittsburgh for 4 years. Yusuf Khan alleges to have faced the bitterest opposition vs. Ahmadiyya. Yusuf Khan alleges that he has already created 11 men and 1 woman to go out and to tabligh. On March-29, the Moslems of Pittsburgh gave Yusuf Khan a farewell party (he was going to India on a trade run) wherein 300 people showed up. Shaikh Nasir Ahmad was there as well as well as Shaikh Abdul Wahab, Shaikh Abid Haque, Shaikh Saeed Akmal and Shaikh Abdul Farook. Shaikh Abdul Farook was made in-charge, with full authority in Pittsburgh. Yusuf Khan says that anyone who doesn’t pay their chanda for 3 months will be removed from the membership. There is another report in this newspaper from the “Mother Mosque”, during the week of March-25-1934, wherein it is stated that Rahmat Mahmood Sheikh Farook and Dr. Khan held a meeting. Eid was also held. Shaikh Nasir Ahmad from the Cleveland Mosque were also there. Sheikh Saeed Akmal from Braddock, Pittsburgh was also there. Shaikh Nasir Ahmad will be around and in-charge in Cleveland, signed off by Shaikh Saadi Malik.
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In May of 1934, Dr. M. Khan is quoted in the Cleveland Call and Post of Sat, May 12, 1934 ·Page 2. This is about the activities of the Braddock Mosque. Bro Ahmad Omar gave a speech on “Religion, the science of Life”. Bro Ahmad Abdullah and Akmal met in the city of Duquesne. Interesting, a man named “Saleh” gave 2 lectures on the Bible. Dr. Mohammed Ashraf is also mentioned as a new missionary from India. Sheikh Abid Haque spoke on Friday night. Dr. M. Khan was the keynote speaker. Sheikh Akmal was the master of ceremonies.
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In May of 1934, Dr. M.Y. Khan was mentioned in the “Cleveland Call and Post of Sat, May 19, 1934 ·Page 2. The newspaper alleges that Dr. M.Y. Khan has returned to his old location in Pittsburgh at 1800 Center Ave, he seems to have been ousted from the previous location. Shaikh Rasool and Shaikh Farook were also there. Dr. Khan explained to his membership that Cleveland would be the new headquarters. Signed off by Shaikh Saadi Malik.
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The Moslem Sunrise of Nov-1934 didn’t give any locations of Ahmadiyya centers in the USA, it was a regular feature of the magazine to list locations in the USA and abroad. However, just 10 month earlier, the Moslem Sunrise of Jan-1934, the Pittsburg branch of pseudo-Ahmadi’s was mentioned and with Muhammad Yusuf Khan as in-charge and with the famous 2222 Webster Ave, Pittsburgh, PA as the location of the mission house. In the very next issue of the Moslem Sunrise (March-1935), a new Pittsburgh location is given, 2008 Wylie Ave, Pittsburgh, PA. This evidence proves that the Ahmadiyya schism did in-fact happen in Pittsburgh in the late summer of 1934.

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