The Hunt for Khallid Abdul Muhammad

The Million Youth March leader breaks his silence about the violent end to his historic rally, the demands for his arrest, and life as a possible fugitive from Giuliani-style justice

A A A Comments (2) By Peter Noel Tuesday, Oct 13 1998

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''I saw him as a true libertarian, actually putting himself in a position where many of his own people were going to attack him,'' says Khallid, who repeatedly has been denounced for calling Jews bloodsuckers. ''They were dealing with a vendetta and he was dealing with matters of the constitution, which I still believe is not worth the paper it's written on.''

After a divided three-judge panel issued its ruling, Khallid scoured the courthouse in search of Siegel. ''I looked for him because I was anxious to hear what he would say to me,'' Khallid recalls. ''I approached him and I shook his hand. I don't want to make it seem like he was kissing up to Khallid. He seemed a little taken aback, but I told him how much I appreciated what he did and we talked. I believe in giving credit where credit is due.''

Tim Bower

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Some might think that in light of his encounter with Norman Siegel, Khallid Abdul Muhammad may not be the hardliner that he was. But it will take more than a conciliatory gesture from Siegel to sensitize the man Farrakhan once dubbed ''the Sword of Allah.''

Lately, some of Khallid's critics have begun to question his claim that he embodies the life and philosophy of Malcolm X. Once an outspoken separatist who referred to white people as ''blue-eyed devils,'' Malcolm made a pilgrimage to Mecca, the Islamic holy city in Saudi Arabia, and returned transformed, denouncing racism.

When a reporter suggested that he,too, might undergo a similar conversion, Khallid retorted, ''I've been to Mecca--three times!''

Research: W.Michelle Beckles

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