CHICAGO—The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan marked his 90th birth anniversary on May 11 by feeding more than 2,000 people both physical and spiritual food over a four-day span.
Like his Teacher, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the Minister does not believe in birthday celebrations. However, Minister Farrakhan decided to mark the occasion by providing 1,000 meals to people in need throughout the city of Chicago, including a hearty meal served at Salaam restaurant for friends, family and Believers.
After the meal of lamb, salmon and stuffed eggplant at Salaam restaurant, guests headed to Mosque Maryam where the Minister, adorned in a black pinstripe suit and matching bow tie, spoke about the reward of faith, the promise of Allah (God), living for the glory of Allah (God), the danger of vanity, and much more.
This milestone anniversary marks a turning point in the Nation of Islam. “This is a day to be remembered, to be celebrated. It’s a holy day. It’s a sacred day. And from this day forward, every May 11 will be celebrated as a Holy Day, holiday in the Nation of Islam,” said Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad to the applause and cheers of attendees at Mosque Maryam minutes before the Minister took to the stage. The special program was broadcast live via internet on noi.org.
After being seated, the Minister was surprised by the Shura Executive Council of the Nation of Islam with a beautiful gold and black trimmed gift box that housed an elegant black box with a clear top that was filled with pure gold–a tribute from the brothers and sisters of the Nation of Islam.
Prior to offering the tribute, Student Min. Ishmael Muhammad, the National Assistant to Minister Farrakhan, emphasized the perspective in which the gift was offered. “There is no amount of money as the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad said of the Minister himself of his value because he’s invaluable. You cannot put a price on this head,” said Student Min. Ishmael Muhammad.
“I would offer, brothers and sisters, that the best gift we can give to the Minister is ourselves. The best gift that we could give him is to reflect the life of righteousness, the life of God that he has taught and been an example of. The best gift that we could give to him is our total and complete commitment to the mission that he has committed his entire life to–the mission of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad,” he added.
“The best gift we could give him is that we love one another as he has loved us. If we could do that, then we’ve given him the best birthday gift that we could ever give a man that has devoted and sacrificed his entire life for Allah,” continued Student Min. Ishmael Muhammad as Minister Farrakhan and the audience applauded.
Then, the Council submitted the gift on behalf of a grateful Nation of Islam. The plaque in the front of the box reads: “In the Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful” in Arabic, and below it in English, “Blessed 90 years, The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, May 11th, 2023, from the Nation of Islam,” said Student Min. Ishmael Muhammad.
“That is 90 ounces of pure gold, 24 karat,” he explained. On one side of 73 pieces is a minting of an image of Mecca, representing the 73rd Chapter of the Holy Qur’an, and 17 pieces are minted with an image of Jerusalem, representing the 17th Chapter of the Holy Qur’an.
“Thank you. Thank you all very, very much. You, to make a gift like this, I’m deeply honored and humbled to work on behalf of the two greatest men that ever lived, and they have invited me into the realm of the three,” the Minister said, speaking of Allah in Person and the Great Mahdi, Master Fard Muhammad and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
“I didn’t want to do something done as a show, although you have put on quite a show. And the beauty of the show that you have put on is the sincerity of your hearts,” said the Minister referencing the gift.
And for roughly an hour and 30 minutes, the Minister, who accepted the tribute, offered invaluable divine guidance and instruction. He urged those listening to focus on the mission of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad first, change their perspective on what’s valuable, and follow his example. “I have nice things because I like nice things, but never, ever at the expense of the mission,” said Minister Farrakhan.
“The reward of faith. I have never worked for a reward. Allah is my Judge. And He knows my heart. He wanted you all to pattern your lives after me because I’ve lived my life in the way that life should be lived—for the glory of God,” said Min. Farrakhan. He also talked about the promise of Allah to the Believers.
“When you come into Islam and you hear the promise of God, it satisfies us all because we all want luxury, money, good homes, and friendship in all walks of life. God doesn’t lie, nor does He promise falsely. He offered us that, but He wanted something from us.
What were we willing to give? Not what are we willing to get for our giving,” said the Minister. “There is a saying in the church, ‘it is better to give than to receive.’ And some of us have it twisted, and it doesn’t make our life flow well. My life flows. Really, and I’m not stressed.”
The Minister offered nugget after nugget of guidance that shows the wisdom of Allah. He spoke on the importance of the separate classes set up by Allah in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad, the Fruit of Islam (F.O.I.) who are the male members of the Nation and the Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class (M.G.T. and G.C.C.) for the women and girls.
“We have an M.G.T. class, and you have an F.O.I. class. These two classes are to make women and men of a new style, a new character,” he said.
The Minister made several points on the value of studying and following his way, which is the way to success: “Now to all my Ministers, my brothers, my friends, my companions. If you followed me better, you wouldn’t be so worried about your expenses. My wife and I were so poor that we didn’t even know we were poor,” he explained.
“If you want success, try studying me. ‘Cause I certainly want you to be successful. And anything I could teach you or show you that would make your struggle easier. But it’s not how to make a dollar, it’s how to make a convert,” he added. “You could change our life in a twinkling of an eye if you change your perspective on what is valuable,” the Minister expressed.
This has been a wonderful day for me,” he said. To view the 90th Anniversary Program of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in its entirety, visit media.noi.org.
