The Impactful Life Journey of Naim Shah Sr.

ILM Team • May 9, 2024

Early Life

Naim Shah Sr. was born Bartha Bill Watkins on April 1, 1945, in Los Angeles, California to parents Bartha Bill Watkins Sr. and Mary Augerson Watkins. His two siblings are brothers, Earl Watkins and Bobby Watkins, later to be known as Khalid Shah .

Man speaking into a microphone, gesturing, wearing a white t-shirt, standing outdoors with a crowd.

Nation of Islam & Transition

He said the greatest day of his life was when he was 18 years old hearing for the first time in 1963 “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger” .  It was during that time he accepted the teaching of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, one of the greatest social reformers in modern history, and his teacher Master Fard Muhammad, of the Nation of Islam. Ali Rasheed was the Western Regional Captain of the Nation of Islam and eventually the Imam of Masjid Malcolm Shabazz in Harlem, New York. He became his main mentor, father figure, teacher, trainer, brother, and friend. May Allah have mercy on his soul and forgive his sins.

He advanced rapidly in the Nation of Islam from a general member in 1963 to squad leader lieutenant at Flex Bilal Mosque 27 , Los Angeles CA.  He was a part of the top West Coast Muhammad Speaks paper salesmen team responsible for selling more than 360,000 papers a week.  He was also one of the top fish salesmen selling more than 1,000 pounds a week.  At 27 years old he became the youngest Nation of Islam West Coast regional captain responsible for 17 states.

In 1975, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad returned to Allah. His son Imam Warith Deen Muhammad became the leader of the Nation of Islam moving the community into Orthodox Islam. Imam W. D. Muhammad was responsible for the largest conversion of Muslims to Islam in modern American history. Bartha Bill Watkins Jr. was also part of that conversion taking on a new Islamic identity and name Naim Shah Sr.

Four Black men in suits pose together.

Marriages, Family, and Papa Shah

At the crescent of his transformation, he married Sister Clurie Davis who also entered the Nation of Islam. On July 5, 1969, they gave birth to their first child, Naim Shah Jr., then Sharrieff, Darmesha, and Abdul Karim. He later married Ava Nelson expanding the family with her three children Nicole, Miisha, and Bilal, and he married our dear Sister Elaine Saafir.

Naim Shah Sr. raised his children in Los Angeles neighborhoods where it was rare to find homes with acting fathers. Papa Shah is a title bestowed on him by his children’s friends who found a father figure in him. As a result, Papa Shah’s name is known for love, strength, and security in neighborhoods and football stadiums throughout Los Angeles.  This is well-known by Coach Irving Davis at Dorsey High School.

Two photos. Top: group around a man in a suit at a table. Bottom: two men shaking hands near a

Community Violence Prevention Achievements

In the late 80s and early 90s, there were more than 1,100 gang and gun-related homicides in the Second Supervisorial District of Los Angeles County. Epidemiologists and the Department of Public Health concluded that the majority of those killed were Black between the ages of 14 and 24. It was at this very critical time Naim Shah Sr. encouraged his brother Khalid Shah and other community activists to organize community faith-based and active gang leaders from Watts, Inglewood, South, East, and West Los Angeles to come to Stop the Violence and Increase the Peace Foundation (STV-IPF) office in a meeting. Present at that meeting were Naim Shah Sr., Steve Harvey, Master P, and others.

At that time there was almost no business or political support for anti-violence peace initiative work in the community. The few fearless exceptions were Danny Bakewell , Congresswoman Maxine Waters , and Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke. What grew out of those foundation meetings at STV-IPF was socially transforming work by leaders like Aqeela and Daude Sherrills, Twilight Bey, Aquil Basheer, London Carter, Raina Carrillo, and many others. What started as a concern by Naim Shah Sr. has now become a national strategy that, according to the LA Times, has reduced gang and gun violence in Los Angeles to a 50-year low.

A group of eight Black men standing close together, fists touching, in front of a turquoise wall.

Dawah 2000

In 1994 Naim Shah Sr. became an active member of Masjid Ibaadillah under the leadership of Imam Saadiq Saafir, now evolved to Islah LA under the leadership of Dr. Imam Jihad Saafir. His prayer and studies of Islam revived this one-of-a-kind leader into founding Dawah 2000.

Its programs included Muslim Journal distribution, prison outreach services, the famous Brother to Brother West Coast Conferences, community security training, homeless services, support for elderly and sick Muslims, ILM Foundation security advisor, Humanitarian Day Security Chair, Islamic Shura Council security advisor, and public speaking appearances.  He also proudly served on the board of UMMA Community Clinic for many years.

Group of people at a conference. Sign reads

Hajj Pilgrimage

A few years after completing his Umrah, Allah blessed him to complete the Hajj Pilgrimage in Makkah. A life journey that started in 1945, entering the Nation of Islam in 1963, and making the transition to Al Islam in 1975, Allah blessed to reach the final pillar of Hajj in 2019.

Two men in white robes at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. One points up; both smile.

He thanks Dar-El-Salaam Islamic World Travel for sponsoring his Hajj. He is grateful for the community’s warm Hajj sendoff celebration at Masjid Ibn Raba. He said his most memorable experience was making his final seven tawafs (circuits) around the Kaba with his son Naim Shah Jr. and grandchildren Bayinnah, Rasheedah, Hadiyah, and Naim Sharrieff.  Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said three times, “The religion is sincerity.” They said, “To whom?” The Prophet said, “To Allah, to His Book, to the leaders of the Muslims and their common people.”

The community salutes you Papa Shah for your sincerity and discipline to complete the mission Allah granted him. Collectively we are here to bear witness to a job well done. May Allah accept all your efforts and forgive your sins.

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Humanitarian Day Returns to Fresno Serving with Purpose and Brotherhood

By ILM Foundation • April 14, 2026
Humanitarian Day Returns to Fresno Serving with Purpose and Brotherhood In the spirit of compassion, unity, and service, ILM Foundation proudly marked the return of Humanitarian Day to Fresno during the blessed month of Ramadan 2026. This year’s effort was a powerful reminder that service not only uplifts communities, but also reconnects hearts and histories. What began decades ago as a brotherhood on the football field at California State University, Fresno has evolved into a partnership rooted in service. Former teammates and roommates, Earl Yusuf Oliver and Naim Shah Jr., were reunited once again beyond sports in sincere service to humanity.

Our Sister Sabah invited to National Muslim Mental Health Conference

By ILM Foundation • April 11, 2026
Honoring a Legacy of Service ILM Chaplain Advisor Invited to National Muslim Mental Health Conference At ILM Foundation, we are proud to celebrate a moment of profound recognition for one of our own. Our Chaplain Advisor, Sabah Tahir-Muhammad , has been officially invited to serve as a panelist at the prestigious Muslim Mental Health Conference , hosted by the Department of Psychiatry at Michigan State University . This year marks the 18th annual gathering of global experts, clinicians, chaplains, and community leaders committed to advancing mental health within Muslim communities. With participants from over 30 countries, the conference stands as one of the most influential platforms shaping the future of Muslim mental health care. A Historic Voice in Chaplaincy This invitationis a significant acknowledgment of the critical role spiritual care providers play in holistic mental health systems. Sabah’s selection reflects not only her nearly three decades of service as a Muslim female prison chaplain in California, but also her pioneering role in interfaith leadership, counseling, and community healing. Her journey began under the mentorship of California’s first African American female Muslim chaplain, whose legacy she later carried forward with distinction. Today, Sabah continues to uplift individuals and institutions through her work with ILM Foundationin mentoring chaplains, supporting faith-based initiatives, and advocating for dignity and transformation in underserved populations. From Silos to Systems The 2026 conference theme, “Silos to Systems: Weaving Together the Strands of Muslim Mental Health,” calls for collaboration across disciplines uniting faith, psychology, and community leadership. Sabah’s lived experience uniquely embodies this vision. Her voice on the Legacy Panel will contribute to bridging longstanding gaps between spiritual care and clinical practice. Representing ILM on a Global Stage As Sabah takes the stage in Detroit this April, she does so as a representative of ILM Foundation and the broader community we serve. Her participation underscores ILM’s commitment to supporting chaplaincy as a vital pillar of community well-being—not only in California, but across the nation and beyond. We recognize this invitation as more than an individual achievement—it is a collective milestone. It affirms the importance of investing in chaplain development, honoring lived experience, and ensuring that Muslim voices are present in shaping the future of mental health systems. A Moment of Gratitude and Vision We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sabah Tahir-Muhammad for this well-deserved honor. May her presence inspire meaningful dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and pave the way for future generations of chaplains. At ILM Foundation, we remain committed to supporting leaders like Sabah—those who carry wisdom, resilience, and faith into spaces where healing is most needed. May this be the beginning of even greater impact, InshaAllah.

“What Does Service Mean to You?” A Reflection with 6 ILM Foundation Staff Members, Community Partners, & Volunteers

By By Nusaybah Al-Mansur, Contributing Writer • April 10, 2026
At Humanitarian Day 2026 located in Glady’s Park, SkidRow, we spoke with the ILM Foundation team and staff, community partners, and volunteers alike to ask one common question - “what does service mean to you?” Amongst the individuals that we interviewed were: - ILM Foundation Director of Programs Hanif Madyun - ILM Foundation Board Member & Committee Chair & Resident Imam of Masjid Al-Shareef Imam Abdul Hafiz - ILM Foundation Economic Empowerment Consultant & Outreach Coordinator Ibn Donald - Islamic Center of Hawthorne Dawah Committee & Community Outreach Chairperson Abdullah Ali - Hearts of Mercy Karim Boukai - Head of Security Dadisi Abdul Qudus In this article, we will explore how each of these individuals have internalized service in their own lives, and the personal experiences that have increased their understanding of service when doing so.
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