Sheikh, Imam, Comrade Mahdi Bray: الله يرحمه ويغفر ذنوبه آمين يا رب

As we awaken each day we must give thanks to Allah Almighty for another chance to worship Him. During this journey called life we have many turns we may have to endure, and with the help of Allah we are able to come through them unscathed and whole. One such time in my life happened about 24 years ago.(2004) In this time period, I was in a very precarious situation, and many around me had doubts to the veracity of my character. As Allah willed, at this time there was one brother whom I had never met, who came to my defense, and made a way for me to testify be before the U.S. Congress. (User Clip: Clip: Muslim American Civil Rights | C-SPAN.org (c-span) This Comrade of mine was none other than Sheikh Madi Bray. Today before the Fajr pray I received news of his returning to Allah. May Allah have mercy on him. and give him Jennah Firadous.

Executive Director

Oppressed Peoples Online Word

Bilal Mahmud

Sheik, Imam, Comrade Mahdi Bray

الله يرحمه ويغفر ذنوبه
آمين يا رب

It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing away of Imam Sheikh Mahdi Bray on October 9, 2024. He was a Muslim civil and human rights activist and a leader. May Allah forgive him and have mercy upon him.

His Janazah (Funeral) Prayer will be held , Friday, October 11, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center, 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA.

We request the community to use the additional parking at First Christian Church located at 6165 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA

The burial shall take place at the All Muslim Cemetery in Stafford, VA.

Comment by Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص on October 10, 2024 at 7:13am: Kofi Bilal Mahmud Eid AlFitr 1443 A.H.

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Kofi Bilal Mahmud

Executive Director

Oppressed Peoples Online Word

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Comment by Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص on October 10, 2024 at 8:20am: إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون

To Allah we belong and to Him we return.

My dear brother and companion in the journey of protecting the civil rights and empowering American Muslims, Imam Mahdi Bray returned to Allah. His Janaza will be Friday, October 11, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center,

3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044

Imam Mahdy's leadership had a major impact the growth and development of Islamic work in the United States for decades.

He will be dearly missed.

We pray to Allah SWT to bless his soul, forgive his sins, and grant him the highest ranking in Janna.

Ameen.

Nihad Awad

Comment by Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص on October 10, 2024 at 9:05am

الله يرحمه ويغفر ذنوبه Mahdi Bray
Born	Wright Bray January 9, 1950 Norfolk, VA
Died	October 9, 2024 (age 74)
Nationality	American
Other names	Wrighty Bray, Jr.; Wright Bray IV; Herbert Bray^[1]
Occupation	National Director
Employer	American Muslim Alliance^[2]

Comment by Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص on October 10, 2024 at 12:40pm: Sheikh Mahdi Bray and Sister Linder Sarsour

Heartbroken. We just lost a giant in our American Muslim community.

May Allah grant Imam Mahdi Bray the highest levels of paradise. May all the people he has taught be his sadaqa jariyah.

The compassion, kindness and humility of our Imam is rare. He always made me feel so seen and encouraged me through my darkest times.

Comment by Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص on October 10, 2024 at 2:30pm: Sad to hear of the passing of this pillar in the Muslim American community. Many wonderful things are being said

about him, and while they're true, I will always remember Imam Mahdi Bray and Ibrahim Abdil-Mu'id Ramey as my mentors, guiding me through a PR storm in 2010 when an entire community in Staten Island fought against MAS NY's plan to purchase a location for itself in the borough. They ALWAYS picked up my calls, talked me through my fears, reviewed my statements, and never let me doubt i could get the work done. Though we lost the battle, we won the war alhamdulillah- MAS NY went on to establish a very active subchapter that continues to do SO much for the community.

May Allah have mercy on Imam Mahdi and br. Ibrahim who passed before him, and may He make all of the work heavy in both their scales, and may He reunite us all in Jannah.

Comment by Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص on October 10, 2024 at 2:34pm: Our beloved Imam Mahdi Bray has passed away.

See message from Br. Nihad Awad and Dr. Altaf Husain below:

To Allah we belong and to Him we return.

My dear brother and companion in the journey of protecting the civil rights and empowering American Muslims, Imam Mahdi Bray returned to Allah. His Janaza will be Friday, October 11, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center,

3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044

Imam Mahdy's leadership had a major impact the growth and development of Islamic work in the United States for decades.

He will be dearly missed.

We pray to Allah SWT to bless his soul, forgive his sins, and grant him the highest ranking in Janna.

Ameen.

“Indeed to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return”

Imam Mahdi Bray (born "Wright Bray" January 9, 1950 - October 9, 2024), was a Muslim Civil Rights and Human Rights activist. He was currently the National Director of the American Muslim Alliance and formerly served as executive director of the MAS Freedom Foundation.

Imam Mahdi Bray was raised in a Baptist household and converted to Islam in 1976.

Imam Bray was an outspoken civil rights advocate and from his early college days he became an active member of SNCC (Students Nonviolent Coordinating Committee). After converting to Islam he continued working for civil rights organizations and served as political director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC).

Imam Mahdi Bray believed in Interfaith work for social Justice and served on the board of directors of the Interfaith Alliance and National Interfaith Committee for Workers Justice. He was vocal against unjust wars and was active with anti-war efforts.

May Allah have mercy upon him and forgive his sins and grant him Jannatul Firdos. May Allah give patience to his family and loved ones.

Imam Mahdi Bray’s Funeral Announcement:

*When: Friday, October 11, 2024 at 1:00 PM*

Where: Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center, 3159 Row Street, Falls Church, VA 22044

Parking Notice:

Due to Friday prayers and funeral of Imam Mahdi we are expecting a large gathering, so please car pool and use the parking at the nearby Churches.

Comment by Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص on October 10, 2024 at 2:35pm: To Allaah belongs the life of Eternity.

We belong to Allaah and to Him is our Teturn.

With sad hearts and tearful eyes the passing of Mahdi Bray in the District of Columbia. He was constantly in the forefront of social activist for the causes Allaah of freedom, justice, and equality always at its base.

May Allaah, The Sublime, The Exalted make his rewards as immense as his love and commitment to those who are oppressed throughout his life.

His passion for solutions to injustice was constant and we pray Allaah will put his good righteous deeds on his scales, and make the mourning of those who miss him perfect and a blessed for him and his family and those who loved him.

Mahdi Bray, May you find the promise of Allaah true and He grant you paradise in a station among those Muslims who fought for the causes you love so dear. May Allaah bless you and make your life a blessing. Aameen

Comment by Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص on October 10, 2024 at 2:39pm: He was quite a force… Back when I was 17 years-old, Imam Mahdi Bray led a campaign for voter registration and

asked me to be the first to register to help set an example for other youth. He wanted his community to be active contributing citizens of this country. As an American Muslim civil and human rights activist, he was a leader for justice. May you rest in God’s love and mercy. May all that you’ve done be a form of sadaqah jaariyyah (Various forms of charity and giving that one does during their lifetime which continues to benefit them in terms of good deeds after they are gone.)

"Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we return."

Fatimah Popal

Comment by Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص on October 10, 2024 at 2:51pm: May Allah have mercy on our Beloved Brother, Imam, Sheikh, and Comrade

Ameen Yaa Raab!