Two Testimonials of the Mongolian Journey from Traveling Companions on the Mongolian Journey September 2008 Friendships in All Walks of Life
More columns by Mother Tynnetta Muhammad
“And certainly We conferred a favour on Moses and Aaron. And We delivered them, and their people from the mighty distress. And We helped them, so they were the vanquishers. And We gave them both the clear Book. And We guided them on the right way.” –Holy Qur’an, Surah 37, verses 114-118
[The following article was submitted by Sister Leah Muhammad who traveled with Mother Tynnetta Muhammad on her last journey to Mongolia in September 2008. She was deeply impressed by the openness and friendly spirit of the people of Mongolia, whose rich history is a living legacy of the great Mongolian culture.]
On the morning of September 5, 2008, I received a call from Mother Tynnetta Muhammad. The call was to ask me to join her on a trip to Mongolia. I said, “Yes, ma’am!” This was extremely an honor for me! I quickly packed my bags, made arrangements for my children and prayed to Allah to take care of everything else! On the flight, I tasted Korean cuisine for the first time. I noticed right away how the airline stewardesses were so nice and very concerned about us. Mother Tynnetta told me that The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad said, “You can see how much people are civilized by their manners.”
Once we arrived in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, we saw signs that read “Mother Tynnetta and Leah Muhammad” just like on TV, then we were sent to this VIP room for guests. We did not even have to get our bags or give them our passports. There was an assistant that handled everything. Next, we were in a caravan. This term “caravan” was invented by Genghis Khan. On the way to the hotel called Chingges Khaan Hotel, we had a police escort! I kept hearing sirens. I looked out the window and said: “Mother, we have a police escort!” The traffic pulled over on the side of the road and waited for us to pass them. We did not stop at any lights. We were treated as dignitaries. Once we got to the hotel, there was a staff waiting for us. The staff was so helpful and very polite.
The next morning I got up very early and I watched the sunrise or should I say the sky rise. I have never seen the sky so beautiful! I see why the Mongolian people love the sky. You see in America, the sun rises first and the sky gets bright colors, almost white; but in Mongolia, the sky starts off dark blue, to mid-blue, to a beautiful light blue. The sky set is a must see.
I was also amazed at how friendly the people were. Our brother, Genghis Khan, instilled in the Mongolian people to be kind to all people no matter their religion, nationality, culture, male or female. Question: How has this doctrine lasted this long? We are talking about hundreds of years ago that this doctrine was put in place. The love that the people have for this man, Genghis Khan, is so great! The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan said, “Love and duty go hand in hand. They are the same.” So not only do they love Genghis Khan but also their duty to manifest the love!
While we were in Mongolia, there was a Peace Festival going on. I met people from Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Russia, Fiji, India, Indoneisa, Jordan and China. Most of them were heads of state. Experiencing the different cultures was so amazing! Now, I really understand Point Number 12 of What the Muslims Believe: “We believe further and lastly that Allah is God and besides Him there is no God and He will bring about a universal government of peace wherein we all can live in peace together.”
Mother Tynnetta and I were invited to this wonderful dinner and at the table were the Japanese delegation and they asked us where were we from. Mother Tynnetta told them we were members of the Nation of Islam. The persons at the table one by one said FARRAKHAN! You see all across the world, they know the Minister. While I was at the table, my M.G.T. training kicked in, especially the part on How to Act at Home and Abroad.
I thank Allah for the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad for giving us this wonderful training. We, as sisters, should never take our class for granted because we have friendships in all walks of life. Myself, Mother Tynnetta and Sister Anita went to a performance by a company named Tumen Ekh. In English this means Vanguard. Sister Anita and I got a kick out of that! The performers had on their traditional garments. The throat singer was amazing. I would like to Thank Mother Tynnetta for this wonderful experience! I would also like to thank the Mxodus team for sponsoring my airline ticket!
How do we as a people establish friendships in all walks of life? It is first seeing each other as friends, not enemies. It is first having the love for self. To have friendships in all walks of life is meaning no matter where you go, you have a friend. What is the meaning of a friend?
“And We granted them among the later generations (the salutation), Peace be to Moses and Aaron! Thus do We reward the doers of good. Surely they were both of Our believing servants.” —Holy Qur’an, Surah 37, verses 119-122
To be continued.
