Karim Muhammad

Karim Muhammad was born on June 6, 1942, to the late James Faulkner Sr. and Pearl Jenkins Faulkner in Newark, New Jersey. He attended Newark Public Schools and later studied at Glassboro State College and Thomas Edison College, where he pursued a major in law and developed a deep passion for the legal rights of humanity. More than fifty years ago he embraced Islam and legally changed his name to Karim Muhammad.

He worked for the City of Trenton, New Jersey, and the State of New Jersey Department of Juvenile Justice, where he found great fulfillment in mentoring young people and creating teachable moments. Karim took pride in completing numerous home projects, loved engaging in thoughtful conversations about current events and politics, and cherished playing his drums. A devoted husband and father, he enjoyed home-cooked meals and time spent with family and friends. Thoughtful and loving, he lived as a sincere example of what it means to be a Muslim man.

He is survived by his wife of more than fifty years, Zakiyyah; his children, Tryone Faulkner, Khadijah Muhammad, Sidiq Muhammad, and Jalal (Karol) Muhammad; grandchildren Danielle Notis, Atiya, Qumora, Kadeem, Ayesha, Naimah, and Jabria; four great-grandchildren; stepbrother Samad Johnson; uncle and aunt Herbert and Vivian Phipps; and a host of cousins and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his son Kevin Notis.