Temple Folk Character Analysis

The Messenger/Mr. Elijah Muhammad

The Messenger is the name given to Elijah Muhammad, a historical figure and leader of the Nation of Islam from 1934 until his death in 1975. He is referenced in passing in many of the… read analysis of The Messenger/Mr. Elijah Muhammad

Sister Memphis/Martha

Sister Memphis is Sister Lucinda’s lieutenant in “Blue.” She is stationed at the back as the women board the bus for the Saviour’s Day Celebration in Chicago in 1975. Sister Memphis has dark skin… read analysis of Sister Memphis/Martha

Danielle

Danielle is Sister Saundra’s 13-year-old daughter. She has light, “French vanilla” skin, a freckly nose, and reddish-colored hair. Danielle begrudgingly joins her mother and the rest of the Muslim Girls Training class on the… read analysis of Danielle

Edith

Edith is Martha and Tiffany’s mother in “Blue.” She is verbally and physically abusive towards Martha and treats her like a servant. This is in large part because Martha has very dark skin. Every… read analysis of Edith

Sister Saundra

Sister Saundra is a new recruit to the Muslim Girls Training class. She is a tall, lanky woman with honey-colored skin. Sister Memphis works hard to try to help Saundra acclimate to Temple life, but… read analysis of Sister Saundra

Mr. Chesterfield

Mr. Chesterfield is courting Martha’s mother Edith in “Blue.” He wears a fedora over “Perma-Strate curls” and has greasy skin. Despite his interest in Edith, Mr. Chesterfield is married; he lives in a small… read analysis of Mr. Chesterfield

Officer O’Malley

O’Malley is one of the two Indiana state troopers that pull over the bus taking the Muslim Girls Training class to the Saviour’s Day celebration. They are responding to a complaint of “illegal activity” at… read analysis of Officer O’Malley

The Bronze-Colored Man

The bronze-colored man gives a speech to a small crowd on a street corner. During his speech, he singles Martha out to celebrate her dark skin—something she has never experienced before in her life. The… read analysis of The Bronze-Colored Man

Tiffany

In “Blue,” Tiffany is Martha’s half-sister and Edith’s favorite daughter. She has lighter skin than Martha and refers to Martha as “colored,” even though she is also Black. During one of Mr. Chesterfield… read analysis of Tiffany

Sister Lucinda

Sister Lucinda is the captain of the Muslim Girls Training class. She is tall and good-looking and has soft, green eyes. In “Blue,” Sister Lucinda greets the women at the entrance as they board the… read analysis of Sister Lucinda

Calvin Baxter

Calvin Baxter, a Black man who works for the FBI, is the narrator and protagonist of “New Mexico.” He was part of the Chicago operation in 1969 that resulted in the assassination of Fred Hampton… read analysis of Calvin Baxter

The Swan

The Swan is one of the Messenger’s mistresses and the reason that Calvin Baxter and Basil are on a mission with the FBI in New Mexico. They are using her to gather information on… read analysis of The Swan

JoJo

JoJo lives down the block from Calvin. Calvin has only seen JoJo hanging out with the neighborhood “hoodlums,” but on the day Calvin picks his father (Melvin) up from prison, he is… read analysis of JoJo

Melvin Jones

Melvin Jones is Calvin Baxter’s father. The two men do not have a good relationship—Melvin used to abuse Calvin’s mother. But Calvin is nonetheless called to pick Melvin up from prison, where he was… read analysis of Melvin Jones

Basil

Basil is a new recruit to the FBI. Tall and blond, he recently graduated from Harvard. Basil was hired because of his family connections, and Calvin is charged with teaching him the ropes. Even though… read analysis of Basil

The Swan’s Son

The Swan and the Messenger have one illegitimate son who is traveling with the Swan in New Mexico. “Like any Black child,” he has tightly coiled hair, and the Swan spends a lot of time… read analysis of The Swan’s Son

Omar

Omar is the narrator of the story “The Spider.” Omar was once a member of the Nation of Islam but left it and followed the Messenger’s son to the worldwide ummah. Omar is part of… read analysis of Omar

Brother Iklas

Brother Iklas is the youngest member of the temple purchasing committee. He is also in business school, going for an MBA. When Iklas shows up late to the purchasing committee meeting, Brother Suleman, who… read analysis of Brother Iklas

Brother Suleman

Brother Suleman is part of the Temple purchasing committee who has called a meeting at the Best Western downtown. Before the meeting officially begins, Suleman makes fun of Qasim Abdur-Rahman, who was just outed… read analysis of Brother Suleman

Brother Lateef

Brother Lateef is the head of the purchasing committee. He was once a formidable presence in the Nation of Islam and continues to hold a lot of sway in the temple community. A successful textile… read analysis of Brother Lateef

Qasim Abdur-Rahman

Qasim Abdur-Rahman is a taxi-cab driver and longtime member of Omar’s temple community. He is also Brother Lateef’s right-hand man. While waiting for the purchasing committee meeting to begin, Qasim is the topic… read analysis of Qasim Abdur-Rahman

Brother Firdus Alam

Brother Firdus Alam is a Moroccan businessman who addresses the purchasing committee during their meeting. He has the look of a “guido” with black, slicked-back hair and wears a colorful sweater with a black leather… read analysis of Brother Firdus Alam

Brother Larry

Brother Larry is a member of the temple purchasing committee. He is loyal to Brother Qasim, who is in hot water for being outed as a gambler, a prohibited activity amongst the Temple folk… read analysis of Brother Larry

Mister Softie

Mister Softie is a panhandler who hangs out around the Jamaican restaurant where Omar and Brother Iklas reconnect a few months after the purchasing committee meeting. Omar recognizes Mister Softie as the guy who peed… read analysis of Mister Softie

The Messenger’s Son

When the Messenger dies in 1975, his son takes over and makes the decision to reorient the organization toward global Islam and the worldwide ummah. Omar, once a member of the Nation in its… read analysis of The Messenger’s Son

Brother Minister

Brother Minister is the man who resurrects the Nation of Islam as it existed with the Messenger at the helm, a move made in response to the decision made by the Messenger’s son to reorient… read analysis of Brother Minister

Sister Norah

Sister Norah is the protagonist in “Candy for Hanif.” A widow, Norah spends the majority of her time caring for her son Hanif. But for the past few years, she has also been working… read analysis of Sister Norah

Hanif

Hanif is Sister Norah’s adult, special needs son. Norah has dedicated her life to taking care of him, and Sister Lunell tries to convince her to put him in a home so that she… read analysis of Hanif

Brother Akil

Brother Akil manages the facilities at the Temple in “Candy for Hanif.” He is often the person in charge of Hanif, Sister Norah’s special needs son, while Sister Norah is working in the kitchen… read analysis of Brother Akil

Sister Lunell Uqda

When she was alive, Sister Lunell Uqda was the closest thing Sister Norah had to a friend. She was a force in the Temple and a masterful cook who ran the Temple kitchen for decades… read analysis of Sister Lunell Uqda

Brother Rashad

Brother Rashad runs a limousine company. He uses one of his limousines to drive Sisters Norah, Beverly, Cheryl, and Mattie Johnson to the riverboat dinner cruise. When he drives them back to the temple… read analysis of Brother Rashad

Beverly, Cheryl, and Mattie Johnson

Also known as the “kitchen sisters,” Beverly, Cheryl, and Mattie Johnson run the Temple kitchen alongside Sister Lunell and Sister Norah. After Sister Lunell unexpectedly dies, Imam Saleem offers them and Sister Norah tickets… read analysis of Beverly, Cheryl, and Mattie Johnson

Captain Michael 2X

Captain Michael 2X was Harold and James Shabazz’s principal at the University of Islam. He was a ruthless leader, known to administer public shaming and corporal punishment, and his brutality and abuse toward Harold… read analysis of Captain Michael 2X

Harold

Harold is the narrator and protagonist of “Janaza.” He has just learned of Captain Michael 2X’s death and has come to participate in the janaza (washing of the body), where he runs into James… read analysis of Harold

Vanessa

Vanessa is Harold’s wife in “Janaza.” With acrylic nails, styled hair, and diamond jewelry, Vanessa comes across as more materialistic than spiritual. In fact, she is almost contemptuous of “Temple folk,” believing… read analysis of Vanessa

James Shabazz

James Shabazz is Harold’s old friend from the University of Islam. The two cross paths in front of the funeral home on the day of what is supposed to be Captain Michael 2X’s… read analysis of James Shabazz

Captain Michael 2X’s New Wife

After hours of waiting outside for the janaza to begin, a woman steps out of the funeral hall and announces herself as Captain Michael 2X’s wife. She is a tall white woman with curly… read analysis of Captain Michael 2X’s New Wife

Imani

Imani is the narrator and protagonist in “Woman in Niqab.” She is 17 years old, a rising high school senior. She has just come back from a trip to Egypt with Mrs. Luqman and her… read analysis of Imani

Sheila

Sheila is Imani’s mother. Though she is upset about Imani’s choice to stop covering her hair, she does not say much until they get to the Temple on Friday night and receive stares. Sheila… read analysis of Sheila

Aunt Linda

Aunt Linda is Sheila’s sister and Imani’s aunt. She is prone to gossiping and tends to criticize other people. She remembers Mrs. Luqman from when they lived in town and accuses her of… read analysis of Aunt Linda

Dawud

Dawud is Imani’s father. He has not seen either his wife (Sheila) or his daughter for over a month. While Dawud has always been a believer, over the past years he has… read analysis of Dawud

Mrs. Luqman

Mrs. Luqman and her daughters (Sumayyah and Amatullah) take Imani on a trip to Egypt. Their families were close until the Luqmans moved to Philadelphia for Mr. Luqman’s job. Mrs. Luqman has the… read analysis of Mrs. Luqman

Amatullah Luqman

Amatullah Luqman is Mrs. Luqman’s oldest daughter. She and her sister (Sumayyah) go with Imani and Mrs. Luqman to Egypt. Amatullah is Imani’s age and has a somber demeanor. While there, Amatullah… read analysis of Amatullah Luqman

The Boab

The boab hosts Mrs. Luqman, her daughters, and Imani when they first get to Cairo. During their meal on their first night there, they run out of bread, and the boab brings Imani to… read analysis of The Boab

Khadija

Khadija is the boab’s wife. During their first night in Cairo, she, the boab, Mrs. Luqman, Sumayyah, Amatullah, and Imani all sit down to an elaborate meal she prepares. During the… read analysis of Khadija

The Narrator

The narrator of “Who’s Down?” is a rising high school sophomore. She goes out to lunch with her Dad to a vegetarian restaurant run by Black Hebrews. The narrator herself isn’t vegetarian, but her Dad… read analysis of The Narrator

Dad

The narrator’s Dad is a Black Muslim who has become a vegetarian. He recently went to a vegetarian restaurant run by Black Hebrews. Curious about his new lifestyle, the narrator joins Dad for lunch there… read analysis of Dad

Waiter

The waiter is a Black Hebrew man who works at Lotus of the Nile, a vegetarian restaurant, grocery store, and take-out spot run by Black Hebrews. When the narrator and her Dad are having lunch… read analysis of Waiter

Qadirah

Qadirah is the protagonist of “Nikkah.” Originally named Karen, she was raised in an affluent community by two prominent Christian preachers (Melvin and Almina). Qadirah converted to Islam four and a half years… read analysis of Qadirah

Ihsan

Ihsan is Qadirah’s roommate and closest friend in “Nikkah.” The two met outside of the Temple near their campus, when Qadirah was first exploring Islam. Qadirah always looked up to Ihsan as “a living… read analysis of Ihsan

Arik

Arik is the first person who messages Qadirah on the NikkahNetwork.com that she is interested in. He is an Albanian Muslim who lives in Kosovo but grew up in the former Yugoslavia. When he was… read analysis of Arik

Almina Johnson

Almina is Qadirah’s mother and a famous pastor with Solid Rock Ministries. She and her husband (Melvin) live in the affluent community of Bedford Estates. Qadirah lost respect for Almina when, as… read analysis of Almina Johnson

Melvin

Melvin is Qadirah’s father and a famous pastor from the affluent suburb of Bedford Estates. He and Qadirah’s mother (Almina) had an affair when he was married to another woman, and Almina… read analysis of Melvin

Brother Salahudeen

Brother Salahudeen is the last bad date Qadirah goes on before she makes her NikkahNetwork.com profile. He works full-time at a cell phone kiosk at the mall and has a side-hustle business selling vials of… read analysis of Brother Salahudeen

Eileen

Eileen is one of Ihsan’s co-workers. A chubby, middle-aged white woman with grayish-blond curls, she resembles Miss Piggy. Eileen and Qadirah sit next to one another at Ihsan’s bridal shower. When she learns that… read analysis of Eileen

Intisar

Intisar is the narrator and protagonist of “Sister Rose.” She grew up in the Temple but left when she was 15 after she was caught kissing a boy in an alley and rumors spread that… read analysis of Intisar

Sister Rose

Sister Rose and Intisar were close when Intisar was a child. When Intisar turned 15, Sister Rose witnessed how she was betrayed by Abiola and all but forced to leave the Temple. Now 56 years… read analysis of Sister Rose

Brother Mujaheed

Brother Mujaheed is Sister Rose’s husband. After he and Sister Rose have their son Hamza, he decides to take a second wife, Sister Jackie. Sister Rose is so angered by this that she… read analysis of Brother Mujaheed

Abiola

Abiola and Intisar were childhood friends, but everything changed on Intisar’s 15th birthday. Abiola spied on Intisar when she went into an alley with a boy (Khabir) and then told on Intisar to… read analysis of Abiola

Taqwa

Taqwa is the protagonist and narrator of “Due North.” Her father (the Imam) has recently died, and she is being visited by his spirit. Taqwa has always been a devoted daughter—both to her… read analysis of Taqwa

The Imam

The Imam is how Taqwa refers to her father, Ahmed Saleem, born Everett Walker. He is originally from Ossacola, where he was the pastor of St. Peter’s Baptist Church. One fateful night, the Imam witnesses… read analysis of The Imam

Jabril

Jabril is Taqwa’s older brother by two years. His mother is Donna, and his father is the Imam. Jabril has always had a rebellious spirit. Drawn to science and mathematics, he was… read analysis of Jabril

Mr. Aziz Al-Hassan

Mr. Aziz Al-Hassan is Taqwa and Jabril’s modern Arabic teacher when they are teenagers. His wife’s name is Bassma, and they have two children: Zainab and Ayyub. Mr. Al-Hassan is originally from Damascus. He… read analysis of Mr. Aziz Al-Hassan

Zainab

Zainab is Mr. Aziz Al-Hassan’s daughter in “Due North.” She is close to Taqwa’s age when she and Jabril begin taking Arabic lessons with Mr. Al-Hassan. She learned English from listening to the… read analysis of Zainab

Aunt Lottie

Aunt Lottie is the Imam’s younger sister. She has two children, Winston and Christine, and lives in Ossacola, where she and the Imam grew up. Their parents died when they were young, so the… read analysis of Aunt Lottie

Michael

Michael and the Imam were best friends when the Imam was a pastor in Ossacola. One fateful night, they decide to go fishing, and they are attacked by a group of “good ol’ boys.” The… read analysis of Michael

Minor Characters

Bertha

Bertha is Edith’s deceased mother. Edith tells Mr. Chesterfield that Bertha left her and Tiffany the house on Bradley Street on the condition that she take in Martha, whom Edith claims was abandoned on Bertha’s doorstep when she was a baby.

Mr. Wilson

Mr. Wilson is the bus driver who drives the Muslim Girls Training class to the Saviours’ Day Celebration in Chicago. While checking the tires at the service station, a drunk service attendant mocks him and speaks to him in a demeaning way.

Imam Saleem

Imam Saleem is the leader of the Temple. He offers Sister Norah and the other kitchen sisters (Beverly, Cheryl, and Mattie Johnson) tickets to a riverboat dinner cruise in exchange for their hard work at the temple.

Sister Frieda

Sister Frieda is Captain Michael 2X’s first wife with whom he shares multiple children. The family gathered for Sister Frieda’s birthday celebration the night before, and that was when Captain Michael 2X suddenly died.

Sumayyah Luqman

A bubbly eight-year-old, Sumayyah Luqman is Mrs. Luqman’s youngest daughter. She and her sister (Amatullah) accompany Imani on a trip to Egypt.

Iqbal Abdullah

Iqbal Abdullah is Ihsan’s fiancé. He is a third-year cardiology resident at the hospital where Qadirah works. She introduced the two of them 10 months ago. When she learns that Ihsan and Iqbal have sex before they are married, Qadirah becomes irate and loses all respect for them.

Khabir

Khabir and Intisar were caught alone in an alley on Intisar’s 15th birthday. He had only kissed her, but Abiola followed them and told on them to Intisar’s father. Rumors quickly spread that Intisar was pregnant, and Intisar was publicly reprimanded. She left the Temple soon after that.

Sister Jackie

Sister Jackie was Brother Mujaheed’s second wife, after Sister Rose. Her relationship with Mujaheed began shortly after the birth of Mujaheed and Rose’s son Hamza and lasted only a few months. Her relationship with Mujaheed sparked anger in Sister Rose, who almost murdered them in their sleep.

Donna

Donna is the Imam’s wife and Taqwa and Jabril’s mother.

Temple Folk Characters