In the wake of a recent tragedy on Bonner Drive, leaders of the Nation of Islam are stepping forward to encourage peace and non-violence among youth in South Monroe.
On Monday, Monroe Police began investigating the death of a young man reported as a suicide. While official details remain limited and the victim’s identity has not been released, residents in the area are circulating differing accounts of what happened. The uncertainty has added to tensions in the neighborhood, prompting local faith leaders to act swiftly.
Minister Verbon Muhammad, head of Muhammad’s Mosque No. 99, visited the family of the deceased alongside members of the Fruit of Islam, the organization’s security and community outreach arm. The group offered comfort to the grieving family and renewed their call for youth to seek peaceful solutions to conflict.
“The victims and the suspects in these acts of violence are getting younger and younger,” Minister Muhammad said. “We have to do something now before we lose another life.”
Flanked by his Fruit of Islam guards, Muhammad has been increasingly visible in South Monroe, both in person and online, speaking directly to young people and pleading with them to turn away from violence. Through social media, he has highlighted the value of every life lost, hoping to inspire a shift in the culture of retaliation and silence.
“Matter of fact, we are headed into Easter,” Muhammad said during a community appearance. “Easter is right around the corner, and Jesus has paid it all for us not to be killing one another.”
With summer approaching—a season often marked by a rise in violent incidents—Muhammad emphasized the urgency of prevention efforts. He invited any youth in crisis or conflict to reach out to him or other members of the Nation of Islam for guidance and support.
