Hamaas Abdul Khaalis

Hamaas Abdul Khaalis
Khalifi of Hanafi Madh-Hab Center in Washington D.C.
Assumed office
1958
Preceded by Tasibur Uddein Rahman
Personal details
Born Ernest Timothy Mcgee
Occupation Khalifi of Hanafi Madh-Hab Center in Washington D.C.

Hamaas Abdul Khaalis (born Ernest Timothy McGhee), also known as Ernest "XX" McGee and Ernest 2X McGee, was an Islamic leader who led what became known as the 1977 Hanafi Siege, a domestic terrorist incident planned to draw attention to the murder of his family.

Khaalis was found guilty on 29 of the 31 counts with which he was charged, including conspiracy to commit kidnapping while armed, second-degree murder, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, and 24 counts of kidnapping while armed.[1]

Background

Khaalis was born to Seventh-day Adventist[2] parents in Gary, Indiana[3] as Ernest Timothy McGhee. He graduated 22nd in a class of 135 at Roosevelt High School, and he played percussion instruments and eventually converted to Roman Catholicism.[3]

As McGee, he attended Purdue University and Mid-Western Conservatory. He was a talented jazz drummer and played with Bud Powell, Charlie Parker, Max Roach, Billie Holiday, and J.J. Johnson in New York City.[4][2]

Khaalis met Tasibur Uddein Rahman[3] and converted to Sunni Islam. Upon advice of his instructor, he infiltrated the Nation of Islam (NOI).[3] In 1954, at the suggestion of Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad named Khaalis the National Secretary of the NOI, a position he held from 1954-1957. Muhammad also sent him to Chicago to head or be principal of the University of Islam.[4] In an interview, Khaalis said, "Elijah once said that I was next in line to him, that it was me, not Malcolm X."[3]

Threats against Jewish leaders

Khaalis made threats against several Jewish leaders in Washington, D.C. whom he thought were responsible for a conspiracy to kill Malcolm X and all his followers. He requested the Court to prevent any person of Jewish extraction from travelling near his home. The Court refused.

NOI

As Ernest 2X McGhee, Khallis held the position of Secretary under Malcolm X at Temple No. 7 he was replaced by John X Ali in 1958.

Khaaalis' open letter

In 1972, Khaalis circulated an open later that referred to Elijah Mohammad as a "lying deceiver" and asserted that he lured "former dope addicts and prostitutes to monk-like lives of sacrifice" that would "lead them to hell."[5]

Malcolm X

Khaalis claimed credit for Malcolm X's leaving the Nation of Islam.[2] In a 1973 interview, Khaalis said he was teaching Malcolm X about Sunni Islam.[3] "He used to come to my house on Long Island and we would sit in his car for hours. He would meet me after he left the temple. Never in public because he knew they were after him. He was saying the wrong things."[3]

Death

Khaalis died in prison in 2003.[6]

See also

Published works

  • "Look and See The Key to Knowing and Understanding – Self-Identity, Self-Culture and Self-Heritage" A.S.F.M.I., 1972.

References

  1. ↑ "Khaalis v. United States". Justia US LAW. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Meyer, Eugene; Whitaker, James; Colen, B.D. (March 11, 1977). "Tiny Hanafi Sect's Followers Devoted, U.S.-Born Converts". Washington Post. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Delaney, Paul (January 31, 1973). "Rival Leader Tells of Efforts to Convert Black Muslims". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Evanzz, Karl (January 9, 2001). The Messenger: The Rise and Fall of Elijah Muhammad. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. p. 164. ISBN 978-0679774068.
  5. ↑ Gardell, Mattias (1996). In the Name of Elijah Muhammad: Louis Farrakhan and The Nation of Islam. Duke University Press. p. 189. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  6. ↑ Davis, Aaron (March 11, 2017). "When Terrorists Took D.C. Hostage". The Washington Post.
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