DETROIT (Huntington Place)—Excitement for the Nation of Islam’s annual Saviours’ Day convention celebrating the Feb. 26 birth of The Saviour Master Fard Muhammad began even before the Muslims journeyed across the United States and overseas to Detroit’s Huntington Place.
The Muslims broke records before any promotions began. A host hotel for the historic weekend themed, “We are fighting for Islam, and we will surely win,” sold out almost immediately as did tickets for the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s keynote message highlighting the event titled, “What Does Allah The Great Mahdi And The Great Messiah Have To Say About The War In The Midde East?”
For the early risers, Friday, Feb. 23 started off with a 6:00 a.m. physical training workout lead by Assistant Supreme Captain Abdul Azziz Muhammad. The hallways and meeting rooms of the Huntington Place filled with excited and inspired attendees. So did the Grand Ballroom, where on day one, a powerful lineup kicked off official events during opening plenary, “Our Saviour, The Mahdi, & The Messiah.”
During the Feb. 23 opening session, Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, National Assistant to Minister Farrakhan, greeted conference goers with a motivational and instructive message. He acknowledged that to have faith in God is not necessarily easy to do in the face of the enemy.
›He then emphasized, “Your faith has to be strengthened by what you see and what you know, so God gives to us a man who has an unshakable faith in the unseen.”
“God’s greatest manifestation of His presence, His power, and that He is physical is not just in the rain, hail, snow and earthquakes. That may not be enough to prove that Allah, the Son of Man is in control of the weather, so he made the greatest mechanical military weapon ever made! The Mother Wheel!” he added.
Believers then moved into the riveting, multifaceted weekend of events. They exhibited how the Nation of Islam, followers of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad under the divine guidance of the Minister, has been winning the fight of good over evil. This is contrary to the vicious, relentless onslaught of false propaganda, flood of outright lies, attacks and censorship from the highest levels of U.S. and world governments.
The Muslims continued their fight for Islam in the process toward their promised victory by observing Jumu’ah (Friday congressional) prayer, nearly filling to capacity the Grand Ballroom.
From there, the men, women and children of the Nation of Islam displayed their battle readiness through strategic, highly educational and informative workshops centered around the Nation of Islam’s Nine Ministries—Agriculture, Education, Information, Health, Trade and Commerce, Defense, Justice, Arts and Culture, Science and Technology, and the 10th, Spiritual Development.
The Fruit of Islam (F.O.I.), male members of the Nation of Islam in signature suits and bowties and women, the Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class (M.G.T. and G.C.C.) filled the atmosphere with high spirits and energy matched by their vibrant, regal and royal attire from their military dress uniforms to civilian wear and casual as well as fitness attire. An entirely new high-level civilization was on display. A glimpse of heaven, from prayer to physical fitness, education to entertainment.
Out of her love for the babies and children of the Nation, Mother Khadijah Farrakhan’s Children’s Village brought life to them again this year. The babies bounced in jump houses it seemed until bedtime, and video games and other fun activities and games were on hand for their two-day enjoyment, all for free and out of the kind heart of Mother Khadijah.
Nearby was the historic Final Call Newspaper vending pavilion provided a large display of goods for sale by Muslim and Black entrepreneurs and businessowners. On the way to and from convention attendees and various panelists of experts in their respective fields provided information in workshops on topics such as, Disaster Preparedness, Building Our Relationships with Allah Through the Holy Qur’an, and The Muslim Program. And that was just the beginning.
Friday, Feb. 23 activities flowed into the evening with a Saviours’ Day premiere of the documentary “Answered: Pt. 2 – The Coming of God” directed and produced by Nation of Islam Research Team and Student Minister Ilia Rashad Muhammad.
Evening affairs included an Old School Jam Session, Singles activity, Speed Chess Tournament, and the Nation of Islam Awards Banquet.
The banquet honored pioneers who have dedicated their life in service to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam and their people. After the tear-jerking awards tribute, the youngest frontline warriors, ages five-17, presented the Nation of Islam’s Symphonic Orchestral Ensemble.
Throughout the weekend, believers and guests were treated to a walk down memory lane with some never before showcased precious artifacts, photographs, yearbooks, and more, during the Nation of Islam Historical Exhibit.
The exhibit also featured a presentation by the Nation of Islam’s Sister Sajdah Wendy Muhammad, who purchased the Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s former house at 4847 South Woodlawn Avenue in Chicago. The last time the Nation of Islam held Saviours’ Day in Detroit in 2020, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad House Museum was just a concept, she noted.
She outlined her fight against opponents, such as a victory gained over a city councilperson in Chicago, who had created an ordinance to stop the development of house museums in Chicago, stated Sis. Sajdah Muhammad.
“We went from Detroit on a high to here, and Allah blessed us to defeat this trojan horse,” she stated. That was after she made a presentation to Chicago City Council and gaining their and then Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s support, she said.
“I stand here fully committed where this project has taken my life,” stated Sis. Sajdah Muhammad.
Meanwhile, before the all-time favorite event, second perhaps only to the Minister’s keynote address, was the Saviours’ Day Drill Competition. People began lining up for entrance for the soul-stirring contest known as the ‘Exercise of the Gods’ as early as 4:00 p.m., although the event was scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.!
Before that, hundreds of new converts were greeted and instructed, along with the rank-and-file members of the Nation of Islam who had assembled for F.O.I. and M.G.T. classes, by four very special believers who are also a part of the Shura Executive Council: Student National Secretary Sa’ad Alim Muhammad, Student National M.G.T. Captain Naeemah Muhammad, Student Supreme Captain Mustapha Farrakhan and Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad.
After the graduation more workshops facilitated by coordinators and panelists were presented to equip attendees with resources and tools to overcome Satan, during and post-convention, on return to their respective cities.
Topics included: Guarding Our Righteousness, The Journey of Marriage, Breaking the Silence and Hearing the Voices of Our Youth: Signs, Symptoms & Approaches to Mental Health, How to Eat to Live: Recovering From Chronic Illness, Cancer & COVID-19, N.O.I. Prison Reform: Wrongful Convictions, Innocence and Exoneration, Organizing Muslim Farmers for Success.
The educational and informative workshops sessions culminated on Feb. 24 with the highly anticipated, in-depth plenary session: The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan & The Nation of Islam vs. The ADL & the SWC: Destroying The False Charge of Anti-Semitism.”
The legal scholars which included attorneys, judges, and paralegals explained the genesis of the lawsuit, provided an update in terms of having filed a 2nd Amended Complaint after the ADL and SWC requested that the case be dismissed through a legal document termed a “motion,” made to the judge presiding over the case.
They explained succinctly that this is a theological case, and implored those in attendance do not be duped by the enemy into thinking it is about name-calling or anything else.
“One could truly feel the energy of the Believers this Saviours’ Day, which exerts the theme ‘We are fighting for Islam, and we will surely win,” stated one young F.O.I., Junaid Ali Muhammad, who resides in Monroe, Louisiana.
Saviours’ Day 2024 has been life-changing for Sister Rasheedah Shamsid-Deen Muhammad of Muhammad Mosque No. 27. “In this area right here, it takes me back,” she said, adding that she was around before the Messenger, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad departed, having got her X in 1973. “I’m still here! Praise Be To Allah!”
“It’s time! It’s time for us to really take over. The devil’s time is up, was up in 1914 … Grace period has run out! Goodbye,” she added.
Guests who attended Saviours’ Day were just as energized. Betty Hoffman is a re
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