He embraced Islam in 1979.  Since then, Allah has blessed him to serve at the Islamic Center of Southern California and also as a co-host for more than ten years, on the longest running, weekly, Islamic television program in American history, the now defunct “The American Muslim Hour,” formerly entitled “Islam.”
Professionally, Imam J.D. is a semi-retired actor with more than 30 years experience in the entertainment industry.  He has appeared on television and in film performed voice work for more than 300 movies including “The Scorpion King,” and “Undercover Brother.”  His voice can be heard in commercials, cartoon and theme park characters.
In the 1980s, at the height of the anti-apartheid movement, Imam J.D. wrote an anti-apartheid rap song called “Anti-apartheid Showdown.”  The song received local news coverage and airplay in the Los Angeles area and was used at local rallies against apartheid.  In 2005, he found a way to re-direct his musical creativity to work in harmony with his religious beliefs by writing 13 songs for his CD entitled “Tawheed.”
He recently created and is the host of a radio program on KCAA-AM in the Inland Empire called, “The Beauty of Islam.”

IF: You started your radio program, “The Beauty of Islam,” in September of last year.  What led to the creation of such a program?
JD: For many years, several brothers and I bemoaned the presentation of Islam given in the media by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.  They seemed to be either apologizing for, misrepresenting or deliberately distorting what we knew was the most beautiful way of life a human being could ever choose.  We prayed that Allah would give us an opportunity to speak on behalf of His deen (way of life).  The opportunity came in the form of a radio program.  Our mission statement is from the Quran, 16:125, hence the title of the show.

IF: Was it difficult to sell the idea of an Islamic program to the station’s program director?
JD: Not at all.  In fact we did not have to sell it at all.  KCAA radio is a very eclectic station, they have something for everybody.  They had the time slot available and we were able to raise the funds from the Muslim community to pay for the air time.

IF: What kind of response have you gotten from listeners?
JD: To be honest, very little.  But I liken our situation to that of Prophet Ibrahim when he completed building the Ka’ba.  Allah told him to give the call and because there was no one living in the valley of “Bakkah” at that time other than his wife and his son, he asked ‘Who’s going to hear me?’  Allah told him that it was his (Ibrahim’s) job to give the call and it was Allah’s part to make that call heard.  So we continue to give the call.

IF: What is the goal of the program?
JD: The overall goal is Dawah – primarily to non-Muslims and secondarily to Muslims who have lost sight of what Islam is about and why the Prophet (PBUH) was sent.

IF: Any plans to expand to a bigger market, or at least a station with a wider reach?
JD: No “plans,” just a du’a: Insha’Allah.

IF: I was flipping channels the other night and stopped to watch reruns of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”  This episode happens to be one in which Will, the main character, finds himself in debt to a pool hustler.  I looked closely and realized that you’re the pool hustler!  Do you ever get comments on your acting roles after giving a Khutbah somewhere?
JD: Mostly from the young people.  They either say that they saw me or ask if it was me that they saw. 

IF: You do know I’m gonna start calling you “Charlie the Mack” from now on, right?
JD: Right.

IF: I believe your most recent role was on “Lincoln Heights,” ironically as a community religious leader.  Is the role easier on TV or in real life?
JD: Real life.  The writer is better!

IF: Merging a career in the entertainment industry in this country with an Islamic lifestyle must have been quite a challenge.  How did you do it?
JD: It was in the beginning.  I set out to be an actor in 1974.  I accepted Islam in 1979.  That’s when it became challenging.  As my iman grew, so did my awareness of what kind of parts I was auditioning for and getting.  The crucial turn came in 1980 when I auditioned for a beer commercial and got put on hold for it; that means we think we want to hire you but we don’t know yet.  That’s when I realized that I could not do such a commercial and that I never should have accepted the audition.  So I made du’a that I would not get the job and Allah answered my du’a.  Since then I have let my agents know what products and services I can endorse and what I can’t.  Film and TV wise, there are some parts I’ll audition for and some I won’t.  Again the guidance for this is from the Book of Allah, when He tells Adam and his wife not to go near the tree He had forbid to them.  Finally and above all, I have come to rely on Allah for everything.

IF: Do you think it’s important for Muslims in America to get into the industry or would you advise aspiring actors to stay away?
JD: I think as Muslims, we should create or own place in the media industry.  We need more and wider reaching efforts like Bridges TV.  Al-Jazeerah and the like have opened the eyes of the so called “Muslim World” to the power of successful media.  Now we need to diversify on a global level into all areas of media presentation such as TV, films, and live theatre.  As for Muslim aspiring actors, as in life, you must first make sure that your iman is strong and you know for sure that your first obligation is to your Lord.  This will give you the strength to avoid what is prohibited.  If your iman is weak, then stay away and work on your “nafs” (self/soul).

IF: In your khutbahs, and in fact in many conversations we’ve had, you often say you have been blessed by Allah.  Why do you feel that way?
JD: I feel this way because Allah has over the years of my life, and insha’Allah I will be 61 on May 7, allowed me to see my progress from Jahiliyah (ignorance) to Islam.  I have performed Hajj six times, prayed in the three sacred Masajids, I have been a mu’adhen and a khateeb, I have fasted Ramadan, slaughtered with my own hand for Eids both here and in Makkah, washed bodies, led the Janazahs (funeral prayer) of my fellow Muslims and learned Islam from the most compassionate of people.  And Allah has let me see that. All of this is by His Mercy.  Everyone should read and remember the first seven verses of Surah Fatir (Qur’an 35:1-7).

“The Beauty of Islam” can be heard Saturdays at 4 p.m. on KCAA-AM (1050).

On the web:  www.kcaaradio.com

To read more interviews with individuals who have made a difference in the American Muslim community, visit the archives page at www.infocusnews.net