Emanuel Muhammad (formerly Pinkney) was the son of the late Johnnie and Luella Scurry Pinkney, born in Newberry, South Carolina on November 1, 1918. He was educated at Dan Watkins High School in Newberry, South Carolina. At an early age, he became a member of the Little River Baptist Church in Newberry, later relocating to Trenton, New Jersey where he lived and would build a business for many years. He was an Army veteran of World War II. While on active duty, in addition to his core training in heavy truck transport, he also honed his skills as a master barber and once discharged, barbering became an entrepreneurial pursuit. He would eventually own his own very successful barbershop and become well-known throughout the Trenton metropolitan area as one of the best in the business. His barbershop was located at his nephew's Unity Variety Shop at 59 Girard Avenue and at one time on the corner of Princeton and Trent Avenues. He also later contracted with military bases as the commissary exchange barber.

A most seminal faith moment of his life came when he was introduced to the nationalist proto-Islam religious movement known as the Nation of Islam led by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. A child of the deep south and north and a witness to the racial atrocities suffered by African Americans, Emanuel was one who had begun searching for answers beyond the tradition of the black church. He was attracted by the Nation's message of self-help, economic development, moral conviction and race pride; he subsequently joined the movement and became a member working diligently to form the first mosque in Trenton.

In 1975 with the death of Elijah Muhammad, Emanuel evolved in his beliefs under the leadership of Imam Dr. W. Deen Mohammed who proclaimed that his father Elijah was wrong in much of his dogma about God and race theory; the Imam helped Emanuel and millions of other American Muslims come to true Islam based on the Qur'an and life example of Muhammed the Prophet (peace be upon him) born some 1450 years ago. Emanuel rejected the Nation's dogma and embraced the oneness of humanity and equality of the races, and he embraced the Oneness of God as He reveals Himself in the Qur'an, not as flesh in any race, but as Creator Whose vision comprehends all things. Emanuel accepted a new mission asked of every believer...to help remake the world into a better place for all people, regardless of religion or race. He had reconciled the faith of his childhood with his new religious heritage. Along with his sister Maryam, Emanuel is known as an American Muslim pioneer recognized and respected for helping expand religious freedom in America and helping make a home for the faith of Al-Islam, alongside its Abrahamic brethren faiths of Christianity and Judaism, and other faith traditions.

Emanuel was early on a child of the church and never lost his respect and love for its positive attributes including its music and song traditions. As an accomplished guitarist, he often shared music as a bridge in sharing his unique interfaith experiences.

In later years, he would return back to his South Carolina roots to settle in Moncks Corner with his beloved wife Louise. He passed from this life May 5th, 1995. His extended family history is captured in the book, Genesis of New American Leadership, ©2000 and a posthumous scholarship was established in his honor by the local Charleston, South Carolina Muslim community, Masjid Al Jami Ar Rasheed.

Emanuel leaves to cherish his memory his wife Louise Muhammad; son Emanuel, Jr. of Trenton, New Jersey; three daughters Nancy Morris of Altadena, California, Marsha Brown (Andre) of Browns Mill, New Jersey, and Paulette McGauly of Trenton, New Jersey; one step-daughter Raecine Whaley of Fort Hood, Texas; three step-sons Jimmy Gilbert (Marie) and David Whaley (Yvonne) of South Carolina, a host of loving grandchildren; one brother Colie Pinkney (Trudy) of Trenton, New Jersey; four sisters Bennie Murphy (Wilbert) of Jersey City, New Jersey, Ethel Taylor and Nancy Yates of Washington, D.C., and Maryam Muhammad of Trenton, New Jersey; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Memorial services were held Monday, May 8, 1995, at 11 a.m. at the Gethers Funeral Home in Moncks Corner officiated by Imam Omar Shaheed of Masjid As-Salaam, Columbia, South Carolina.
Contributor: M MUHAMMAD (51038278)