Clyde X

Clyde X (born 1931 in Canton, Mississippi as Clyde Jones, also known as Imam Clyde Rahman)^[1] was a religious leader associated with the Nation of Islam. Most of his work for the NOI was in St. Louis, Missouri and Cleveland, Ohio.

Clyde X served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.^[1] After his service, he moved to Dayton, Ohio, and then to Detroit where he worked as a machinist.^[1] While in Detroit, Clyde was first introduced to the Nation of Islam through "people talking about it in a poolroom."^[2] In 1958 he was sent to St. Louis in the service of the NOI to establish Temple No. 28 at 1434 N. Grand Avenue.

When he arrived in St. Louis the local media described him as "a glowering moon-faced giant... on the fleshy side of 200 pounds... mild mannered, polite, and diplomatic."^[2] They also described him as "too emotional," a "rabble rouser," and "a haranguer."^[2]

Clyde X helped to launch many business ventures with Temple No. 28,, opening a restaurant, laundry, record store, dress shop, and a grocery along Grand Avenue,^[1] leading some in the community to call the area "Little Egypt."^[1]

In 1961, Clyde X Temple No. 28 saw an internal split, with members leaving to join the offshoot "Islamic Service Church" headquartered at 1902 Union Boulevard. Elijah Muhammad, displeased with the split, sent the Supreme Commander of the FOI to try to broker a reconciliation. No such agreement could be reached, and the two temples were officially separated.^[1] The split resulted in sporadic incidents of violence, with Clyde X, Timothy Hoffman, and John Moore being shot outside the Shabazz restaurant. While Clyde and Hoffman were not seriously hurt, Moore died as a result of his wounds.^[1] One year later, on January 9, 1967, Clyde X's home was bombed.^[1] Two days after this the original suspect in the shooting one year previous was shot to death.^[1]

In the mid 1970s, Clyde X moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked with Cleveland's Muslim community using the name Imam Clyde Rahaman.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} Jolly, Kenneth S. (2006). Black Liberation in the Midwest: The Struggle in St. Louis, Missouri, 1964-1970. New York: Routledge. p. 89. ISBN 0-4159-7969-2. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Goldman, Peter L. (January 4, 1962). "Backed by National Group: Black Muslim Boss Here Survives Walkout by Rebels". St. Louis Globe Democrat. 

Further reading

• Patrick Chike Onwuachi, "Religious concepts and socio-cultural dynamics of Afro-American religious cults in St. Louis, Missouri" (Ph.D. dissertation, Saint Louis University, 1963).
• "Former Black Muslim's Death Ruled a Homicide," St. Louis Globe-Democrat, 17 Jan. 1967.

Persondata
Name	X, Clyde
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1931
Place of birth
Date of death	1967
Place of death