In this interview, on behalf of The Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), I speak with Brother Bilal Sunni Ali, Amir of The Imam Jamil Action Network (IJAN). IJAN serves as the advocacy arm of the legal campaign to free and exonerate Imam Jamil Al-Amin. Bilal gives an overview of the case and recent developments, including that The Innocence Project has taken on Imam Jamil’s case.
The Innocence Project, known for its work in exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing, has taken on Imam Jamil’s case, intending to prove his innocence and secure his release from prison.
Imam Jamil Al-Amin, formerly known as H. Rap Brown, is a prominent Muslim American leader and civil rights activist. He rose to prominence in the 1960s as a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and later as the chairman of the Black Panther Party. In 2002, Imam Jamil was convicted of the murder of a sheriff’s deputy in Atlanta, Georgia, a crime he has consistently maintained he did not commit.
Visit the website for IJAN.

Akanke is a native of Atlanta who now resides in Dayton, Ohio. She has also lived in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Grenada, West Indies. She discovered Islam in 1994, and her faith, spirituality, and personal development have been the driving force in her life ever since. A graduate of Georgia State University with a degree in Communication, Akanke focused on film, TV, and cultural anthropology during her studies. Her career is diverse, and her interests span various media platforms. From producing TV and radio shows to creating documentaries, coaching individuals towards empowerment, creating and exhibiting unique abstract paintings, providing public speaking guidance, delivering leadership training, and lending her voiceover talent to various projects, she strives sincerely to make a lasting and authentic impact wherever she goes. Akanke has been a dedicated supporter of MANA since 2007, currently serving as the organization’s Board Vice President. In this role, she plays a key part in shaping the organization’s vision and strategy. Additionally, she serves as the part-time Communications Director, where she excels in crafting compelling communication tools, including newsletters, articles, graphic designs, and social media campaigns. Through her work with MANA, Akanke continues to make a positive difference, using her talents and passion to uplift and inspire others.
2 Responses
I’m Dawud Tijani ibn Sharifuddin aka David A Robinson who spent some time in Imam Jamil’s community in Atlanta, GA in 1993.
How can I send Sadaqa directly to the Imam at his facility???
I’m so overjoyed to know Imam Jamil’s case is being taken up by the Innocence Project. May God bless this righteous, persecuted brother. My heart breaks for him and my soul cries out for justice!