‘During Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, both fasting and acts of charity increase among Muslims who are able to do so. According to tradition, it is said that Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (peace be upon him) was the most generous of people, and he was most generous during Ramadan.’
CHICAGO–During the final two days of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan donated 1,000 meals to Chicagoans throughout the city from South Shore to East Garfield Park to South Holland.
During Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, both fasting and acts of charity increase among Muslims who are able to do so. According to tradition, it is said that Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (peace be upon him) was the “most generous of people, and he was most generous during Ramadan.”
In line with the way of Prophet Muhammad and tradition, the Minister, who is extremely generous throughout the year, displayed another aspect of his generosity by paying for and donating those meals to Black people in Chicago. The meals, which consisted of baked chicken, rice and mixed vegetables were prepared by The Foodie Spot, a local restaurant owned by Carmella Muhammad.
“Today on Saturday we are preparing 500 dinners and tomorrow we are also preparing 500 dinners,” said Ms. Muhammad. “I thank all the brothers for helping to give this food out to the community.” Brothers in the Nation of Islam (FOI, Fruit of Islam) came from as far away as Milwaukee, Columbus, Detroit and Cleveland to help. Muslim women (MGT and GCC, Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class) and Foodie’s Spot employees prepared and boxed each meal.
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“We know that the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in our eyesight is a sinless man, but in a normal situation, this would be an expiation of sins—giving something in hopes that the gift takes the place of any wrongdoing or any sin that someone has committed,” said Central Regional FOI Captain Dwayne Muhammad. While organizing the men for the giveaway, he highlighted this as an example of the Minister’s love for Black people. “The Minister in the eyesight of God for what he’s done for our people is sinless,” he added.
All over the city, the community embraced the meals. “Who are the real children of Israel?” asked a brother known around 79th and Cottage Grove as “God’s Son.”
“I watched that video (a lecture of the Minister by that title) last night. I’m not a Muslim, but there is a lot of power, knowledge, wisdom and understanding (in that message). I need to get myself together.
I was standing up here with 75 cents trying to get a beer, but look, I just got fed,” he said as he held up his meal. “I was talking to God, and He said go down the street to see your brothers and I looked up and it’s a lot of ‘em. We need the loudspeaker out here,” he shared.
“A lot of young brothers were out at Parkway Gardens, a community in Chicago known nationwide as ‘The O Block.’ They showed gratitude and appreciation,” said Student Minister Shahid Muhammad. “They really enjoyed and thanked the Minister for coming into the Gardens instead of them having to come out because there has been so much violence over there,” said Student Min. Muhammad.
“The reception on the West Side was beautiful,” said Student Lieutenant Willis Muhammad, who lead the group to that part of the city. “They really received the meal with love and everywhere we went, they were asking how the Minister is doing, when are they gonna see him again and they wanted us to send their love to the Minister,” he said.
“Faith is not believing that God can, but it’s knowing that He will. When you all came in, I was overwhelmed because there were so many brothers. After meeting and greeting the brothers, and the brothers said they were passing out meals from the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, I was thankful because me, my queen and the barbers were able to eat,” said Joseph Ellison, owner of Architect of Hair, a South Holland barber shop.
South Holland is a south suburb of Chicago.
“Many times, unless we plan for it, because (clients come in) back-to-back, we are standing up all day and sometimes we don’t know when we are getting a break.”
On both days (April 30 and May 1), the FOI also passed out meals on behalf of the Minister on 71st and Jeffrey Blvd, 63rd and Martin Luther King Dr., Altgeld Gardens and Dolton as well.
