Humza al-Hafeez (born Leonard Ernest Weir; February 28, 1931 – November 27, 2015,[1] and formerly known as Leonard 12X Weir) was an American Islamic minister, author, and social activist. He was the first Black Muslim police officer in the New York Police Department (NYPD).
In the late 1950s, al-Hafeez founded and served as President of the National Society of Afro-American Policemen,[2] an organization that sought to improve work conditions for Black law enforcement officers, expand employment opportunities,[3] and strengthen relationships between the NYPD and members of the Black and Muslim communities.[4][5][6]
Over the course of al-Hafeez's career, he received countless commendations and awards, including citations for outstanding community service.[7]
Born in Harlem, New York to Asa Moss Weir, a West Indian immigrant (Jamaica, West Indies) and Rosa May Danielson of mixed Caribbean ancestry (Dominican Republic and St. Croix, Virgin Islands), Weir attended New York City public schools where he demonstrated an early aptitude for history and politics. The demands of his young life forced him to quit high school in his early years of enrollment. Yet, as a drop-out, his proclivity for service was fueled amidst an environment that was often biased against minority youth. In 1957, he took the City of New York Police exam and passed. However, to qualify for an appointment, a high school or general equivalency diploma was required. He arranged to take the General Educational Development examination in Manhattan, at Washington Irving High School. He earned a passing score, was awarded a diploma, and entered the NYPD in February 1959, where he sought to improve work conditions for black-uniformed officers.[4] and the community at large.[7] Over the course of his employment, he worked as an undercover special investigator for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and as Special Investigator for the Knapp Commission where he investigated corruption in the NYPD.[8][9]
In the early 1970s, he joined the Nation of Islam, Temple #7, headquartered in Harlem, and in 1975, he changed his name to Humza al-Hafeez. His first book, Some Things to Think About, was based on his experiences coming of age during the 1940s and 50s, his acceptance of Islam, and his advocacy as a law enforcement officer in the 1970s.[8]
Public serviceedit
As a literary activist and social entrepreneur, al-Hafeez worked in the publishing industry and also served as Editor-in-Chief of Muhammad Speaks newspaper. Within his lifetime, he lectured at many universities and institutes of learning around the country, including: New York University, Princeton University, Pace College, University of Chicago, Thomas Jefferson High School, Wallkill Correctional Facility, Green Haven Correctional Facility, Fishkill Correctional Facility, Arthur Kill Correctional Facility, United States Penitentiary at: Ray Brook, New York, Terre Harute, Indiana, and Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.[10]
Retirementedit
Following a long history of advocacy for disenfranchised communities, al-Hafeez's employment with the NYPD came to an end in March 1976.[11][12] But his legacy as "a good cop" continued well past his prime, spurring a new generation of leaders to cite his example as a model for success while crediting his groundbreaking work as the underpinnings of similar groups across the nation.[13]
Deathedit
al-Hafeez died on November 27, 2015, at his home in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 84. He was predeceased by one son, Habib Al-Zaid, and was survived by five other sons, Rasul Hafeez, Bismillah Abdul-Hafeez, Yuhanna Hafeez, Larry Weir, Don Ibn Hafeez, and three daughters, Rosemarie Weir, Mariama Tene Williams, and Jackye Maxey.
Funeraledit
al-Hafeez's funeral service was held at Muhammad Temple #7C in Brooklyn, New York, on the morning of December 3, 2015. Several hundred of his family and friends gathered to pay respects. Resident Imam Adib Rashid officiated the service. A special tribute was written and performed by literary artist Dr. Deatema L. Abdul-Latif."[1][14]
Distant relativeedit
Warren Weir, Jamaican Medalist, London 2012 Olympics.
Featured inedit
Abel, Roger L. (2006). The Black Shields, p. 418, AuthorHouse, Bloomington, Indiana, ISBN1420844598.
Armstrong, Michael F. (2012). They Wished They Were Honest: the Knapp Commission and New York City Police Corruption, New York: Columbia University Press, ISBN9780231153546.
Darien, Andrew T. (2013). Becoming New York's Finest: Race, Gender, and Integration of the NYPD, 1935-1980. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN9781137321930.
Thompson, Cordell S. (1970, February 26). Don’t Criticize the Police Department, Jet Magazine, p. 17.
^Opportunities for N.Y.C. Policemen. (1974, Jan 12). New York Amsterdam News, p. A6.
^ abLeonard 12X Weir Aide to Black Cops. (1971, Dec 25). New York Amsterdam News, p. C13.
^Afro-American Society Cites Inspector Hill. (1967, May 27). New York Amsterdam News, p. 23.
^Afro-American Police Honor Black Muslims. (1969, June 21). New York Amsterdam News, p. 3.
^ abCited for Outstanding Community Service. (1975, November 12). New York Amsterdam News, p. B9.
^ abArmstrong, M.F. (2012). Batman and Robin. They Wished They Were Honest: the Knapp Commission and New York City Police Corruption, p. 79, New York: Columbia University Press, ISBN9780231153546.
^Abel, Roger L. (2006). The Black Shields, p. 418, AuthorHouse, Bloomington, Indiana, ISBN1420844598.
^al-Hafeez, Humza (2003). Some Things to Think About, p. 176, Charlotte, North Carolina: Conquering Books, ISBN1564113175.
^Muslim Cop Quits Force. (1976, March 27). New York Amsterdam News, p. A8.
^Farrakhan, Louis. (1979, March 31). The Final Call: The FBI Destruction of Muslim-Black Police Relationships. New York Amsterdam News, p. 18.
humza, hafeez, humza, hafeez, born, leonard, ernest, weir, february, 1931, november, 2015, formerly, known, leonard, weir, american, islamic, minister, author, social, activist, first, black, muslim, police, officer, york, police, department, nypd, humza, hafe. Humza al Hafeez born Leonard Ernest Weir February 28 1931 November 27 2015 1 and formerly known as Leonard 12X Weir was an American Islamic minister author and social activist He was the first Black Muslim police officer in the New York Police Department NYPD Humza al HafeezBornLeonard Ernest Weir 1931 02 28 28 February 1931Harlem New York U S Died27 November 2015 2015 11 27 aged 84 Brooklyn New York U S Police careerDepartmentNew York City Police DepartmentService years1959 1976RankDetectiveIn the late 1950s al Hafeez founded and served as President of the National Society of Afro American Policemen 2 an organization that sought to improve work conditions for Black law enforcement officers expand employment opportunities 3 and strengthen relationships between the NYPD and members of the Black and Muslim communities 4 5 6 Over the course of al Hafeez s career he received countless commendations and awards including citations for outstanding community service 7 Contents 1 Personal life 2 Public service 3 Retirement 4 Death 5 Funeral 6 Distant relative 7 Featured in 8 ReferencesPersonal life editBorn in Harlem New York to Asa Moss Weir a West Indian immigrant Jamaica West Indies and Rosa May Danielson of mixed Caribbean ancestry Dominican Republic and St Croix Virgin Islands Weir attended New York City public schools where he demonstrated an early aptitude for history and politics The demands of his young life forced him to quit high school in his early years of enrollment Yet as a drop out his proclivity for service was fueled amidst an environment that was often biased against minority youth In 1957 he took the City of New York Police exam and passed However to qualify for an appointment a high school or general equivalency diploma was required He arranged to take the General Educational Development examination in Manhattan at Washington Irving High School He earned a passing score was awarded a diploma and entered the NYPD in February 1959 where he sought to improve work conditions for black uniformed officers 4 and the community at large 7 Over the course of his employment he worked as an undercover special investigator for the U S Drug Enforcement Administration and as Special Investigator for the Knapp Commission where he investigated corruption in the NYPD 8 9 In the early 1970s he joined the Nation of Islam Temple 7 headquartered in Harlem and in 1975 he changed his name to Humza al Hafeez His first book Some Things to Think About was based on his experiences coming of age during the 1940s and 50s his acceptance of Islam and his advocacy as a law enforcement officer in the 1970s 8 Public service editAs a literary activist and social entrepreneur al Hafeez worked in the publishing industry and also served as Editor in Chief of Muhammad Speaks newspaper Within his lifetime he lectured at many universities and institutes of learning around the country including New York University Princeton University Pace College University of Chicago Thomas Jefferson High School Wallkill Correctional Facility Green Haven Correctional Facility Fishkill Correctional Facility Arthur Kill Correctional Facility United States Penitentiary at Ray Brook New York Terre Harute Indiana and Lewisburg Pennsylvania 10 Retirement editFollowing a long history of advocacy for disenfranchised communities al Hafeez s employment with the NYPD came to an end in March 1976 11 12 But his legacy as a good cop continued well past his prime spurring a new generation of leaders to cite his example as a model for success while crediting his groundbreaking work as the underpinnings of similar groups across the nation 13 Death edital Hafeez died on November 27 2015 at his home in Brooklyn New York at the age of 84 He was predeceased by one son Habib Al Zaid and was survived by five other sons Rasul Hafeez Bismillah Abdul Hafeez Yuhanna Hafeez Larry Weir Don Ibn Hafeez and three daughters Rosemarie Weir Mariama Tene Williams and Jackye Maxey Funeral edital Hafeez s funeral service was held at Muhammad Temple 7C in Brooklyn New York on the morning of December 3 2015 Several hundred of his family and friends gathered to pay respects Resident Imam Adib Rashid officiated the service A special tribute was written and performed by literary artist Dr Deatema L Abdul Latif 1 14 Distant relative editWarren Weir Jamaican Medalist London 2012 Olympics Featured in editAbel Roger L 2006 The Black Shields p 418 AuthorHouse Bloomington Indiana ISBN 1420844598 Armstrong Michael F 2012 They Wished They Were Honest the Knapp Commission and New York City Police Corruption New York Columbia University Press ISBN 9780231153546 Darien Andrew T 2013 Becoming New York s Finest Race Gender and Integration of the NYPD 1935 1980 New York Palgrave Macmillan ISBN 9781137321930 Thompson Cordell S 1970 February 26 Don t Criticize the Police Department Jet Magazine p 17 References edit a b Library Thing 2015 Humza Al Hafeez Author of Some Things to Think About Library Thing Online Publication Retrieved from https www librarything com author alhafeezhumza New York Corrections Guardian 1989 History of Afro American Policemen The Pioneers New York Corrections Guardian Publication Retrieved from http www correctionhistory org html chronicl nycdoc guardians 50th year journal Guardians50th Part 2 html Opportunities for N Y C Policemen 1974 Jan 12 New York Amsterdam News p A6 a b Leonard 12X Weir Aide to Black Cops 1971 Dec 25 New York Amsterdam News p C13 Afro American Society Cites Inspector Hill 1967 May 27 New York Amsterdam News p 23 Afro American Police Honor Black Muslims 1969 June 21 New York Amsterdam News p 3 a b Cited for Outstanding Community Service 1975 November 12 New York Amsterdam News p B9 a b Armstrong M F 2012 Batman and Robin They Wished They Were Honest the Knapp Commission and New York City Police Corruption p 79 New York Columbia University Press ISBN 9780231153546 Abel Roger L 2006 The Black Shields p 418 AuthorHouse Bloomington Indiana ISBN 1420844598 al Hafeez Humza 2003 Some Things to Think About p 176 Charlotte North Carolina Conquering Books ISBN 1564113175 Muslim Cop Quits Force 1976 March 27 New York Amsterdam News p A8 Farrakhan Louis 1979 March 31 The Final Call The FBI Destruction of Muslim Black Police Relationships New York Amsterdam News p 18 Velez Denise Oliver 2014 December 7 The Daily Kos New York s foulest Just who do they serve and protect Retrieved from http www dailykos com story 2014 12 07 1348861 New York s foulest Just who do they serve and protect whom Humza Al Hafeez Makes His Transition 2015 December 24 New York Amsterdam News Retrieved from http amsterdamnews com news 2015 dec 24 humza al hafeez makes his transition Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Humza Al Hafeez amp oldid 1168242897, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
