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Jewish groups mourned the death of former Nation of Islam leader W.D. Mohammed.

Describing him as a “champion of interfaith understanding,” the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations, known as IJCIC, paid tribute to Mohammed, who died Sept. 9 in Chicago. He was 74.

The son of Nation of Islam leader Elijah Mohammed, the younger spiritual figure is credited with transforming the organization from one rooted in black nationalism to one with more mainstream acceptance.

“Imam Mohammed was a man of deep humanity spirituality and wisdom,” said Rabbi David Rosen, IJCIC’s chairman. — jta