CHICAGO—There are M.G.T. and G.C.C. (Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class) meetings in cities around the country every Saturday morning for Muslim women. And then, there is Saturday morning M.G.T. Class at Saviours’ Day, where the largest gathering of countless women and girls dressed in brown uniforms occurs. This was the first time that the group met since the pandemic.
“I was so excited to come to class this morning,” Aminah Muhammad from Denver, Colo., told The Final Call. “I missed being around so many women and girls who look and worship like me. It’s one thing to go to an amazing class in your city, but coming to class in Chicago is on a different level.”
This year’s class paid tribute to Muslim women who forged a trail and foundation for numerous women to follow in the building of the Nation of Islam. Student Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad, who died unexpectedly last year, was first. Her daughter Sister Cherelle spoke of her beginnings and how she helped the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
“Allah used my mother’s life and work to mark a pivotal point in the history and a shift in the consciousness of humanity regarding the role of the women,” she told the audience. “Sister Minister Ava will be remembered not only as one appointed to the highest leadership position for a woman in the history of the religion of Islam, but her light will forever shine as a Star of God.”
›Student East Coast Regional M.G.T. Captain Johnna Muhammad paid tribute to Sister Captain Emeritus Ameenah Rasul Muhammad. She told the audience how Sister Ameenah grew up, was educated, and came to Temple No. 7 under the leadership of Minister Malcolm X.
“The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad sent Sister Ameenah to travel to many countries, such as Japan and the Caribbean, for the upliftment of Black women,” Sister Johnna said. “In New York alone, Sister Ameenah’s M.G.T. and G.C.C. class numbers exceeded over 1,500 plus registered M.G.T. The Vanguard class (girls 16-34 years old) led by her Lieutenant Audrey Muhammad numbered over 200,” she added.
“Sister Ameenah Rasul served briefly in Chicago as the National M.G.T. and G.C.C. Consultant under Imam Warith Deen Muhammad. In 1978, she was blessed to make the Holy Pilgrimage of Hajj.”
Soon after, she learned of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s plans to rebuild the work of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. When Minister Farrakhan asked her to help, she enthusiastically agreed to do so and never failed on her word.
The morning also included tributes to the wives of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad from Mother Clara to Mother Tynnetta to Mother Evelyn to Mother Ola. The tributes were concluded with Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, First Lady of the Nation of Islam. All of these tributes as well as tributes to Sister Marie Muhammad, mother of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Sister Sumayyah Farrakhan, mother of Minister Farrakhan can be read in the M.G.T. Special Saviours’ Day 2023 edition of Virtue Magazine, whose editor in chief is Audrey Muhammad.
“I am eternally grateful that through this edition of Virtue Magazine, we can display examples of the unparalleled beauty of women and girls that only God can make,” said Student National M.G.T. and G.C.C. Captain Naeemah Muhammad.
—Nisa Islam Muhammad, Staff Writer
Photos: Courtney X and Andrea Muhammad
