WASHINGTON, D.C. (FinalCall.com) – “Are you living in the light?” That is the question Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class (M.G.T. & G.C.C.) Mid-Atlantic Regional Captain Saadiqa Muhammad is asking the women and girls of the nation, and she is inviting them to explore the answer at the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern regions’ annual women’s conference May 24-26, themed “Living in The Light,” at the Sheraton National Hotel, located at 900 South Orme Street in Arlington, Va.
“I was inspired to do this by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, who encouraged all of the regional M.G.T. captains to have women’s conferences. I wanted to find myself carrying out his instructions,” she told The Final Call.
What can participants look forward to that weekend?
›“I am most excited about having Nation of Islam First Lady Mother Khadijah Farrakhan here with us. We want to show her how much we love and appreciate her work and her sacrifice. We also have her daughter, Minister Donna Farrakhan Muhammad, as the keynote speaker at our luncheon. We have a weekend so full of excitement and fun for our participants. We are bringing some of the best and the brightest in our nation together to share their wisdom. Our National M.G.T. Captain, Sis. A’ishah Muhammad, will deliver the plenary at our opening session. We want to learn from each other how to live in the light of Allah,” Sis. Capt. Saadiqa said.
The weekend starts with a welcome and VIP reception.
“All of our participants will be considered ‘very important people’ that weekend,” explained conference chair Jennifer Muhammad. “My instructions were to give every Sister that attends star treatment. This conference will be a great experience for the participants.”
“We are offering workshop selections in three tracks: Spirituality, Health and Beauty, and Self Improvement. Where can you go and learn how to be ‘Fit and Radiant At Any Age,’ or how to ‘Create the Home of Your Dreams,’ or participate in ‘Conscious Living–Walking With Allah,’ she said, which are just a few names of the workshops to be offered that weekend. Workshop presenters will include Dr. Safiyyah Shabazz, known as the ‘Doc from the top of the clock,’ from Philadelphia, Pa. who will talk about a ‘Natural Approach to Wellness’; Audrey Muhammad, publisher of Virtue Magazine, who will explain how to ‘Get Fit to Live’ and give a personal fitness prescription; and Sis. Captain Valerie Muhammad from Houston, Texas, who will teach how to ‘Turn Your Passion Into a Business.’
“This conference is not just for women. We understand the need to serve our girls as well,” said Sis. Captain Saadiqa. “We have special workshops for our girls that are 16-24 years old and we also have workshops planned for our girls 12-15 years old. We are providing a relaxed setting to heal for our women, but we also want to do the same for our girls. As we grow in Islam, we want them to grow also. As we give thanks to Allah for our many blessings, we want them to do the same.”
The weekend offers workshops for the girls with presenters from their peer group, as well as a talent show and crafting activity just for them. They also have their own luncheon on Saturday with their own special guest speaker, National Vanguard Captain Sharrieffah Muhammad.
Living in the Light doesn’t end with great workshops and incredible luncheon speakers–it will also feature a fashion show debuting children’s designs from Kameelah’s Closet, and women’s designs from Freedom Apparel (West Coast) and Chicago-based Exclusive Designs, Inc.
Registration fees for the conference are reasonable: $150 for adults, age 16 and over, and only $75 for girls, ages 12-15. “Oprah moments” are even on the agenda, with extravagant giveaways like a flat screen TV.
Living in the Light is what Sis. Jennifer wants the participants to walk away with. “We want to show them how valuable they are. We have exercise and yoga classes planned, head and shoulder massage therapy, a marketplace for vendors that will include Mother Khadijah Farrakhan’s Newell Apparel uniforms and a Friday night expo with fun for everyone.”
Although the conference ends that Saturday night, Mid-Atlantic Regional Minister Abdul Khadir Muhammad is extending the light into Sunday, May 27, by having Minister Donna Farrakhan Muhammad as the special guest speaker at Muhammad’s Mosque No. 4.
“This conference is a chance to display the light of the Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class. We welcome it in the city because we understand that a nation can rise no higher than its women, and we want our women to rise so our nation can rise,” Min. Khadir told The Final Call.
“We understand that she can’t stand without her backbone–the Fruit of Islam–and we are here to support her. Where there are no decent women there are no decent men,” he said.
Minister Khadir’s wife, Sis. Felicia, is sponsoring a special reception for the Minister’s wives that are attending.
“We have something for everyone. Our duty is to serve and we are looking forward to it,” said Sis. Captain Saadiqa.
(For more information on the conference, to register or to purchase vending tables visit www.livingnthelight.com or call (202) 747-0404 or (202) 215-7768. For more information on the Project Modesty design contest, visit www.kameelahscloset.com.)
