Elijah Muhammad, born Elijah Robert Poole on October 7, 1897, in Sandersville, Georgia, was a prominent American religious leader, founder, and leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI). He is celebrated as a key figure in the development of Black nationalism and Islamic teachings within the United States, advocating for racial pride, economic empowerment, and self-sufficiency among African Americans.[wikipedia +2] Short Bio and Legacy Elijah Muhammad rose from poverty in the segregated South to become a charismatic and influential leader. After relocating to Detroit in 1923, he met Wallace Fard Muhammad, the founder of the NOI, and quickly became a devoted follower. Following Fard’s disappearance in 1934, Muhammad assumed leadership of the movement, transforming it into a nationally recognized organization promoting Black separatism and self-reliance.[archives +2] Throughout his leadership, Muhammad emphasized teachings that Blacks were the original human race, created by a scientist named Yakub, and that white people were a deviant creation intended to oppress Blacks. His teachings and organizational efforts promoted economic growth, including the purchase of land and businesses to empower Black communities.[new.finalcall +2] Muhammad was also a mentor to notable figures like Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and Louis Farrakhan, shaping significant aspects of Black political and spiritual life in America.[biography] He died on February 25, 1975, in Chicago, Illinois, leaving behind a complex legacy of spiritual leadership and controversial racial teachings. [britannica +2] His Birthday Elijah Muhammad’s birthday is observed as October 7, 1897, although some sources note that the exact date is uncertain due to incomplete record-keeping in the rural South of that era. Nonetheless, October 7 is widely recognized as his birth date.[noi +1] Summary: Elijah Muhammad was a pivotal figure in the history of Black religious and political movements in the U.S., known for his leadership of the Nation of Islam and his promotion of Black pride, economic independence, and religious teachings rooted in Islamic principles. His birth date, October 7, 1897, commemorates his enduring influence.