He joined a military type group, but eventually left because it opposed his interest in Marxism. He met a musician and a Korean War deserter who convinced him that "Islam was the way for black men to find their destiny." He met most of the militant Islamic leaders in the U.S. and became more radicalized. He found himself at odds with the Chicago version of Islam taught by Elijah Muhammad. He changed his name to Dawud Salahuddin at this time and began to visit Ernest XX MxGee who had changed his name to Hamaas Abdul Khaalis. Salahuddin frequented Khaalis' mosque. In 1973, when Khaalis' family was murdered Salahuddin had "a moment of clarity" and realized, "that the black Islamic leadership in America was being run by, like, the Mafia".