Civil Rights advocate, Imam Jamil Al-Amin, dies at 82
Advocates say the civil rights leader was wrongfully convicted and demand authorities clear his name after two decades in prison
ATLANTA, United States (MNTV) — Imam Jamil Al-Amin, the former civil rights leader once known as H. Rap Brown, has died at the age of 82, his family announced, prompting widespread grief and renewed appeals for his exoneration.
His son, Kairi Al-Amin, confirmed the death in an emotional video posted on Facebook, asking for privacy and offering prayers for his father.
Kairi’s message, in which he described his father as “free” at last, quickly drew condolences and tributes from supporters, scholars, and civil rights advocates.
Imam Omar Suleiman was among those honoring Al-Amin, describing him as a man who “never lost his dignity” and whose innocence, he said, had long been evident despite the justice system’s refusal to act.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also confirmed his passing, urging the Fulton County District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit to complete its review and formally overturn Al-Amin’s conviction.
CAIR criticized the Bureau of Prisons for failing to adequately address his deteriorating health, noting he had battled cancer in his final years.
Al-Amin spent 23 years behind bars for the 2000 killing of a Fulton County sheriff’s deputy and the wounding of another—charges his supporters have long disputed.
They argue that the case was plagued by procedural irregularities, unreliable evidence, and a sworn confession from federal inmate Otis Jackson, who has repeatedly claimed responsibility for the shooting.
Once a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Al-Amin rose to national prominence through the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee before embracing Islam and becoming a respected imam.
In Atlanta’s West End neighborhood, he was credited with community transformation efforts, including crime reduction and religious outreach.
Following his conviction, he was transferred from Georgia’s prison system to federal custody—an action his supporters viewed as an attempt to curtail his influence, as numerous inmates had embraced Islam through his mentorship.
CAIR’s Executive Director Nihad Awad described Al-Amin as both “a hero” and “a victim of injustice,” calling on authorities to reopen the case and clear his record.
As tributes spread across the country, many of his supporters emphasized that while he has passed, the campaign to restore his name continues.
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