BALTIMORE—A committed and dedicated crowd in Baltimore at Connexions Art Based High School stayed hours through an initial suspension by YouTube of the Nation of Islam’s YouTube account, which delayed the highly anticipated Saviours’ Day broadcast which included periodic gaps in the webcast when users had to find another streaming source to view it.
Some were initially able to see it on another YouTube account, some were able to see it on someone’s Facebook account, others saw it on Instagram and others saw it on Rumble Vision. The audience helped Mosque No. 6 officials in Baltimore by searching for the best streaming source when one went down.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Mabel Jefferson, a retired government worker from Baltimore, told The Final Call. “How do you cancel a YouTube account the day of a major event? They did this on purpose, I’m sure so the world couldn’t hear the Minister, but their plans failed. Social media is so advanced now. I texted my granddaughter and told her what was happening,” said Ms. Jefferson.
“She texted back that she saw on Instagram several people showing it live. This gave even more people access to see it. People were determined to help get the Minister’s message out. That showed Black people’s power to get around the haters of the world,” she added.
›Andre Ryan, from Baltimore, also retired, felt the Minister’s message was worth the wait and the delays. He stayed until the very end and told The Final Call, “I loved it. It was very informational.” Mr. Ryan explained how the lecture reinforced a lot of what he had heard from previous lectures by the Minister, and he was glad to be there.
Dylane Davis, a 27-year-old Baltimore entrepreneur, told The Final Call, “The Minister’s message was affirmation for us as the younger generation to see the change coming in and knowing where the change is coming from. It was good, I recommend everyone to watch it.”
He was impressed with the Minister’s delivery as well as the power in his words.
Sybil Richardson works for a nonprofit in Columbia, Md. She told The Final Call, “I was fascinated by the Minister’s use of ‘student’ and ‘teacher’ throughout the lecture in describing the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Master Fard Muhammad. It gave me a different understanding of their relationships. But it also made me pause to look at the student-teacher relationships in my life. Was I a good student? Was I a good teacher?” she reflected.
“Even when the Minister said he wasn’t a good student, I’m sure he was better than most. He made me really think about the need to always be a student, even if you aren’t in a classroom, you can be a student of life. That, I think was a good message. It keeps us humble,” added Ms. Richardson.
Mosque No. 7 in New York City and Mosque No. 7C in Brooklyn also opened their doors to the public to view the webcast for those who did not travel to Chicago to see it live at Mosque Maryam.
Though not everyone who attended Saviours’ Day on the grounds of The National Center in Chicago was able to sit inside the sanctuary of Mosque Maryam to see and hear the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan deliver his keynote message, it did not dampen the spirit of those who were still able to view from other spaces.
The gymnasium of Muhammad University of Islam which sits adjacent to Mosque Maryam on the grounds of Nation of Islam headquarters, the Musallah (prayer room) on the lower level of the mosque and a huge tent on the property were all filled with attendees who viewed the Feb. 27 message on giant high-definition screens.
Lorraine Muhammad from Wilmington, Delaware, viewed from MUI and stated, “Today’s lecture was amazing, and I have gone to many Saviours’ Days. My first Saviours’ Day was in 1970, the year I became registered at the age of 17 in Harlem, New York. The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad had taught us about Europe. He also spoke about putting the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in his seat and for him to lead the way,” she told The Final Call.
“We weren’t briefed regarding the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s departure, a lot of us found out through the radio and news broadcasts. This is definitely a blessing,” she said.
The masses who flooded the grounds of The National Center to witness the Minister’s Saviours’ Day 2022 address included thousands who filled the beautifully decorated white tent next to Mosque Maryam.
Min. Farrakhan’s message on truth and falsehood, and that the Honorable Elijah Muhammad is still alive resonated with Kwame El, who attended with his empress and several members from the Moorish Science Temple in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Sheikess LGB Bey, of the Moorish Science Temple of America in Chicago said they came to show their love and support. It is a wonderful, grand day, to even be able to bear witness to a man of great honor, and high honors to Minister Louis Farrakhan. We are so appreciative,” she stated. She added, “Minister Farrakhan: I so appreciate you! You helped me to embrace who I am today. I really appreciate the work that you have done, the uplifting of fallen humanity. And we are here to work together and be a part of this great day. Happy Saviours‘ Day!”
Others traveled to Chicago just to be in the city for Saviours’ Day but viewed the program from other locations.
“A year ago, I thought I would never travel again.” That was the sentiment of Isabel Muhammad, who traveled to Chicago from Buffalo, New York, with her husband, Henri Muhammad of Muhammad School of Music and their four children. Isabel Muhammad suffered a stroke three years ago while traveling in Columbia, South America, and subsequently had a major seizure last year. But this year, she was determined that she would attend Saviours’ Day. Though she was unable to physically go to Mosque Maryam with her family, she viewed the address from her hotel room and was happy to speak with Believers after the meeting in her hotel lobby.
Heather Boston, 47, of Chicago came to Mosque Maryam to hear the Minister speak and found the message to be “extremely inspirational in a time when there’s so many questions.” Ms. Boston describes herself as being a fan of the Minister and although she is not a registered member in the Nation of Islam, she has been listening to him for years. “We’re all leaving here inspired and ready to spread the word,” she said.
Todd Thompson traveled to Chicago from Milwaukee and was introduced to Min. Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam while he was incarcerated for 18 years. He feels the love of the Minister and felt motivated by ‘The Swan Song.’ He describes Min. Farrakhan’s love as “bringing a different type of meaning to my life.”
Singer/songwriter Mary Brown describes herself as one who has been showing her support and love for the Minister since 1997. She expressed that the Minister’s message brought her to tears. “I’m going to take heed to every warning he said,” Ms. Brown stated. “I love Minister Farrakhan. He is our Saviour.”
Myka Spadoni of New Orleans came with his fiancé and children, ages two and four. “This is something we think they really need to hear. They will remember this for the rest of their lives.”
Dr. Boyce Watkins, a social commentator and businessman, told The Final Call what he observed was “Black history in the making.” “You felt the gravity of the moment. Only Farrakhan can carry that level of power in a presentation. It really set a blueprint for the next century for our people. And I felt like I had to be there.” He described it as a “very special night.”
His wife, Dr. Alicia Watkins, agreed. “I think that this is a wonderful tribute to him and his legacy, it was excellent.”
Kenny Banks from Houston was attending his first Saviours’ Day and called it a memorable experience. “I’ve always watched it, but to actually be present and just to see the love, feel the love from the Minister. I had the opportunity to share some of the things about Black farmers and we talked about some of the passion that he has for being a Black farmer and Black farmers. To come over and be around and just really feel the love and glean wisdom, it’s just great.”
Tariqah Muhammad, Shawntell Muhammad, Donna Muhammad, Azizah Muhammad, Abisayo Muhammad and Charlene Muhammad contributed to this report from Chicago.
