Yusuf A. El-Sulayman (Lansing)

Bismillah ir Rahman ir Rahim

In the Name of Allah The Most Beneficent The Most Merciful

Joseph Clarence Barnette was born on May 9, 1947, in Lasing, Michigan. He attended Willow Elementary School, West Junior High School, and graduated from J.W Sexton High School in 1965. He pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Western Michigan University and later a Master's degree in Education from Michigan State University.

In the early 1970s, Joseph experienced a significant transformation. During this time he embraced Islam and adopted a new name, Yusuf Abdush-Shakoor El-Sulayman, to reflect his beliefs and commitment to his spiritual path. He also married his first wife, Khadijah, formerly Mary Brooks, who also experienced the same transformation and embraced Islam. They were blessed with six beautiful children: Gibran, Halima, Jinnah, Tahira, Muhammad, and Hamzah.

In 1973, Yusuf embarked on a lifelong commitment to Islamic missionary work, known as Dawah and Tabligh, which focus on inviting others to the truth of Islam, spiritual purification, and service to God's creation. Each summer, he would dedicate 40 days to this mission. He continued this spiritual work from 1973 until 2020, that took him to every state except Alaska, Hawaii, Maine and Vermont. He also traveled internationally to Bangladesh, India, Trinidad, Pakistan and Great Britain. During his travels, Yusuf took the opportunity to study Quranic Arabic with scholars, deepening his understanding of the Islamic faith.

Yusuf made significant contributions to the Greater Lansing Islamic Center and the local Muslim community. He served on the Board of Directors from the late 1970s until 2005 and held the position of president of the Islamic Center for two years. During his tenure, Yusuf made fundraising trips to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in support of the Centre's building projects. In addition to these leadership roles, he regularly delivered sermons at Friday prayers and served as the community liaison for visiting Muslim groups from around the world.

Yusuf's conversion to Islam was the most important part of his life and while many American Muslim converts faced challenges within their families, his own parents and sisters were different. They welcomed him and his family, celebrating Muslims holidays such as Eid with them. To maintain their close bond, they also established a family game night, fostering unity and togetherness within the family.

A significant milestone in his spiritual journey was the pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Hajj, which is considered the pinnacle of a Muslim's life. In 2010, Yusuf and his wife Diane (Rayyan), had the blessing of completing this scared journey. May Allah accept their efforts and reward them for their dedication.

Yusuf, a gifted and dedicated teacher for more than four decades, encouraged his students to persevere. Former students often approached him in various settings- whether at the marketplace or a stoplight-to express their gratitude and share stories of how he impacted their lives and contributed to their success.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carleton and Arleen Barnette, his first wife Khadijah, his cousin who was like a brother to him, Khalil Abdul-Baith, his brother in law Ahmad, his stepson Tyrone "Imani" Gridion, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 32 years Diane, his six children: Gibran (Ingrid Rhinehart), Halima, Jinnah (Rashid Abdur-Rahim), Tahira (Hasan Sakacali), Muhammad and Hamzah. His sister, Becki (Sterling Armstrong), Aida Abdur-Rashid, and his grandchildren: Ahmed, Bilal, Khalil, Khadijah, Isabelle, Grace, Eve, Hediye, Yusuf, Musa, Zahra, Maryam, his nephew and niece Sterling and Kara Armstrong, his step children Tina and Tiffany Gridiron, and step grandchildren Vivienne and Taylor Smith.

His children would like you to know how funny and engaging their father was to those he met. His presence will be truly missed and we intend to follow his advice to hold tight to the rope of Allah.

A special thank you to those who have helped Brother Yusuf during his transition. May Allah bless them and grant them success in this life and the hereafter. Ameen.