The Nation of Islam (NOI) reconvened in Chicago, for its annual Saviours’ Day celebration. Thousands eagerly flocked to Mosque Maryam at The National Center headquarters of the NOI, to commemorate the birth of Allah (God) in Person Master W. Fard Muhammad, the great and divine teacher of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
For months, the excitement among the Nation brewed, as believers from across the country longed to be amongst one another, and to hear the timely message delivered by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. After two years of sheltering in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, Muslims from around the country were anxious to see one another again.
“It means everything to me to be back in-person for this monumental Saviours’ Day,” said Aalia Muhammad, a 19-year-old from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., upon hearing the announcement that there would be an in-person Saviours’ Day this year.
She became emotional. “I definitely cried when I found out that this year was in-person,” she expressed. “Last year was truly a trial for all of us and we have been praying for an in-person Saviours’ Day, but for it to actually be here and happening is truly a blessing.”
In unison, believers celebrated the birth of Master Fard Muhammad, who traveled 9,000 miles from the Holy City of Mecca to save the suffering Black man and woman in the wilderness of North America from their enemies. He was born February 26, 1877, and He made Himself known on July 4, 1930, in Black Bottom, Detroit.
“Just being able to see the believers’ faces and hear the greetings of ‘As-Salaam Alaikum (Peace Be Unto You), Happy Saviours’ Day!’” said Shanté Muhammad, Student MGT Captain of Mosque No. 47 in Tampa, Fla. “You know, just that energy alone takes it to a whole new level.”
Both Aalia Muhammad and Shanté Muhammad traveled to Chicago for Saviours’ Day. Shanté Muhammad says she went through “hell and high water” just to get to Chicago, but she says she had to be there, given Minister Farrakhan’s years of love and sacrifice.
“With this pestilence and being in this pandemic in our places of abode, he has guided us every step of the way through this hell of North America and making it through the dark hour and he continues to do so,” she said. “We’re following this beautiful man of God who is so humble, and the least we can do is go out and support and do whatever he says.”
This year, Minister Farrakhan’s message was titled “The Swan Song.” Considering the meaning of that metaphor, which Merriam-Webster defines as “a farewell appearance or final act or pronouncement,” believers knew this would be a message unlike any other.
Student Minister Patrick Muhammad, 7th Regional Representative of the Nation of Islam and Min. Farrakhan based at Mosque No. 29, in Miami said, the title made him think of Jesus in the book of Matthew in the Bible.
“It says that Jesus has piped to the people all day, and they have not danced, so there was a message of a song that Jesus was giving to the people but there comes a time where the people have to make a decision of not just only hearing the message, but doing something with it,” Min. Patrick Muhammad said.
Student Min. Abdul Haleem Muhammad, Southwest Regional Representative of the NOI based at Mosque No. 45 in Houston, said listeners should not be weary over the title of the message.
“The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s swan song should not invoke anxiety in the believers, unless we’re not living the life and we’re not in line with the mind of the Minister, which is to be in line with the two that back him, Allah and His Christ,” Min. Haleem Muhammad said. He pointed to Min. Farrakhan’s words from Saviours’ Day 2017, where the theme was “The Ultimate Challenge: Survival of The Black Nation.”
“[Minister Farrakhan’s] talk was, have no fear for the future. The future is ours,” Min. Haleem Muhammad continued. “So, the swan song is not so much a swan song for the Nation of Islam. The swan song actually is the final call for this world, because there’s an old world going out, and a new world coming in,” he said.
Jabril Muhammad from Oakland, Calif., said “The Swan Song” is a message for the entire world.
The Minister is a man in the world that has never been before,” said Jabril Muhammad. “He was made by God and the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad as the trumpet of resurrection for all of fallen humanity,” he said.
With all the excitement surrounding Minister Farrakhan’s message, Sakinah Ali from Miami was excited for the world to hear it. “Allah who came in the person of Master Fard Muhammad [spoke] through the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. This message is so important because this is God’s message,” she said.
“The Minister [is] warning not only Black people, but the masses of the earth on what’s now, and what’s to come. This is not the time to go back and forth about who’s White and who’s Black. We’re in the business of saving lives and we all need guidance. So this message is for everyone. Truth doesn’t have a color.”
Sabbath Muhammad from College Park, Ga., desired to receive guidance to improve herself, so that she may be a better believer and a better educator. “I pray that as an educator, that I impact others around me by making sure that I am on the right track,” she said. Her goal, she explained, is “That I hear [Min. Farrakhan’s] guidance; that I receive the guidance, hear and obey, and move forward with that.”
Yameenah Muhammad from Atlanta did not travel to Chicago for Saviours’ Day, but she is one of the many believers who was overcome with the joyful spirit. She decorated her home with her family and it’s even more special for her, because it’s her first Saviours’ Day spent with her husband.
“We play lectures, we just try to create that ambience at home, especially if we’re not able to travel,” she said. “It’s like I just want to bring that spirit to my house, even if I’m not [in Chicago]. I still feel like I’m a part of it because usually when we go to Saviours’ Day, the spirit is so amazing. The energy is like everybody took off work, everybody planned a slot for this time and it’s all our time, specifically for us, and so we just like to be festive,” said Yameenah Muhammad.
The spirit of victory, pride and gratitude for the coming of Master Fard Muhammad, who lifted the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan filled the air in Chicago.
“It is now time for the Nation of Islam and the Black nation to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow the Minister,” Min. Haleem Muhammad said. “The Minister said in 2017, ‘I feel that I have given you the best of my life. I feel that I have never wavered on our cause, no matter how strong the opposition became,’” added Min. Haleem Muhammad. “So it’s incumbent upon us to follow him.”
