Clara Muhammad Schools

Sister Clara

Founded in 1932 as The Muhammad University of Islam in the Detroit, Michigan, home of Sister Clara Mohammed, the wife of Nation of Islam leader, the Honorable Elijah Mohammed, the schools were reorganized in the 1970's under the leadership of their son, Imam W.D. Mohammed and renamed for his mother. The schools, recognized by many including the Islamic Schools League as the first Islamic Schools in America, were named The University of Islam to emphasize their universal purpose and aim, though they were elementary and secondary schools.

Sister Clara Muhammad (as the name was originally spelled) was born Clara Evans on November 2, 1899 in Wenonah, Georgia and married Elijah (Poole) Muhammad in 1917; they migrated to Michigan in April of 1923. Education was a priority for the children of the Nation in the 1930’s and 40’s therefore the Believers began to take their children out of the public schools defying the truancy laws, leading to their arrest for their courage and conviction. Sister Clara Mohammed was the first teacher, and some scholars identify the Schools as the beginning of the home school movement in America.

One exceptional aspect of the schools was that students could advance through the grades and subjects at their own pace which allowed students to excel beyond traditional age and grade level expectations. Sister Clara Mohammed’s support was vital in establishing, promoting and improving the schools. From their inception the Sister Clara Mohammed Schools are also committed to improving the communities in which they exist.

Today, there is an international system, of Sister Clara Mohammed Schools in the continental United States, and Bermuda. Each of the more than 33 fulltime schools, many weekend schools, and part time schools nationwide are independently governed and administered, however curriculum content and methodology are based on the Quranic language, logic and vision of Imam W.D. Mohammed. Sister Clara Mohammed Schools serve a predominantly African-American Muslim population although children of all religions and ethnic groups attend.

Though many of the students are first generation Muslims, a majority of them are second and third generation Muslims in their families.

Regarding education, Imam W.D. Mohammed stated that we must:

In other words, educate the people regarding the natural makeup of mankind. Teach the people their natural life and natural makeup, how G-d has given them wonderful urges for their establishment - in their own nature. Teach them, so they will be enlightened regarding what is in them as a created being.

Building a community in schools that began under the “old” Nation of Islam leadership is a challenge with multiple dimensions. Demographic, philosophical, ideological, organizational, economic and other social issues are reflected in the complete change in orientation from a Black Nationalist organizational structure and social ethic to a global, multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, multi-cultural, universal Islamic philosophy. This transformation in educational philosophy and community life led for the last thirty years by Imam W.D. Mohammed has now emerged as a significant model for education, community transformation and universal human acceptance.

The only way we will keep this school special is to keep its past while working for its future.