On Saturday, September 11, 2010 the Yusuf Shaheed Abdullah Center of Learning officially opened at Masjidul Taqwa in San Diego. The Center commemorates Brother Yusuf and his many acts of charity, his peaceful nature, teaching spirit, subtle strength, patience, and perseverance. The classes offered at the Center are designed to reflect the positive attributes of Brother Yusuf by uplifting the community through faith, charity, and the sharing of knowledge.
El Hajji Yusuf Shaheed Abdullah was born November 23, 1918 in Saltillo, Mississippi. His family moved to Oklahoma in 1937 where he would meet his future wife and go on to have five beautiful children. They moved to San Diego, California in 1941 where he was soon inducted into the United States Army, served his country, and was honorably discharged after World War II ended.
Brother Yusuf first heard the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad in 1946. He soon joined the Nation of Islam where he was a faithful believer. Yusuf was instrumental in establishing the first house of worship working hand-in-hand with Minister Henry Majied to establish Temple #8 the first Temple of Islam on the West Coast (which is Masjid Taqwa today). Subsequently, they made several trips to Los Angeles to establish Temple #27. It was during that time that he met and spoke with the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Brother Malik Al-Hajj Shabazz (popularly known as Malcolm X). In 1950, Brother Yusuf and a small group of Muslims from the west coast gathered to make the annual Savior’s Day event in Chicago. While on that trip, sitting at the dinner table with the Honorable Elijah Muhammad Brother Yusuf was given his name.
It was back in San Diego in 1951 that the San Diego Police Department engaged in a ruthless confrontation with the growing and evermore influential Muslim band. It was a struggle that Yusuf helped lead where the Muslims stood with faith and courage against a hostile police contingent, determined to stifle the spread of Elijah Muhammad’s message.
In spite of Yusuf’s propagation of Elijah Muhammad’s interpretative brand of “Islam” he found a great liking and respect among many of his Caucasian contacts and co-workers. Indeed he received numerous awards and recognitions from both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Yusuf was very active in the community. He was a member of the International Union of North America Local 89 for over forty years.
Brother Yusuf also traveled throughout California teaching the message of Elijah Muhammad. When a Los Angeles resident expressed interest in learning more about Islam, Brother Yusuf travelled to their home to teach them the message.
In 1970, Brother Yusuf opened the first Muslim Restaurant in San Diego, and it quickly received wide acclaim in the general community. “Yusuf’s Restaurant” served as the longest running Muslim business in San Diego. It was the pride of the Muslim community. It also helped to popularize the “world famous bean pie.”
In 1975, after the passing of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Brother Yusuf made the transition from the teachings of the Nation of Islam to the acceptance of orthodox Islam under the leadership of Imam Warithdeen Mohammed. Brother Yusuf expressed a much greater comfort level with the teachings of Imam W.D. Muhammad that followed the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Brother Yusuf was a strong supporter of all the programs introduced by Imam W.D. Muhammad. He was also a member of the Board of Directors at Masjid Taqwa. Brother Yusuf also served as Masjid keeper, a position overseeing maintenance and upkeep of the masjid. Although his duties were to coordinate and/or delegate the actual performance of any repairs to others he most often performed those tasks himself. A devoted Muslim, in 1980 Brother Yusuf performed Hajj (pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca). He made this trip with several other Muslims from San Diego, including his daughter Ameerah Abdullah.
Brother Yusuf was the pillar that supported his family during a tragic incident involving his grandson, the case of Sagon Penn which made national notoriety. An incident in which the young man was assaulted by police, yet managed to defend himself while fatally wounding one officer and maiming another officer and passenger in the police cruiser. During this two-year ordeal Yusuf underwent tremendous strain, pressures, and public scrutiny. However, he never lost faith, nor his commitment to family and religious community. Through prayer, a united community support and a determination to seek justice his grandson, Sagon Penn was acquitted of the charges against him, in his self defense plea.
El-Hajji Yusuf Abdullah was one of the first pioneers in San Diego. His faith, kindness, devotion to the community, and life works epitomized his level of focus on following the life example of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The Center of Learning represents the essence of who El Hajji Yusuf Shaheed Abdullah was, and will help to continue to spread knowledge and enhance the community in his name.
