CHICAGO—The National Assistant to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, took the overflowing crowd at Mosque Maryam on a journey through pivotal events during his October 13 keynote message for the 29th Anniversary of the Million Man March and Holy Day of Atonement.
His message, given to him by Minister Farrakhan, delved into the Nation of Islam’s history and current events now taking place at an increasing pace.
Student Min. Ishmael’s message was titled, “Atonement and Repentance: Who of the Presidential Candidates Can Save the Lives of the People of America from the Wrath of God?” Various parts of the message resonated significantly with people in the audience.
Sir Miles came with his brother, who is a member of Mosque No. 48 in Dallas, Texas. He shared with The Final Call that there was so much in the message he was “still letting it all soak in.”
However, Mr. Miles said he agreed with everything Student Min. Ishmael said relating to “neither presidential candidate, if elected, being able to take us out of this.”
Dwight Nash attended the Million Man March in 1995. He explained that the 29th anniversary program at Mosque Maryam was the second Nation of Islam event he has attended. After being invited by his new neighbor who is a member of the Nation of Islam he was happy to attend the program.
“It was remarkable to hear from Minister Ishmael and it’s just enlightening to know that the Minister’s word and the cause is still going on and I just came out feeling even more better and refreshed as a Black man in America,” Mr. Nash shared.
An aspect of the message that Mr. Nash felt resonated with him most was how the word “atonement” was broken down to “At-One-Me.” “That was really extraordinary,”
Mr. Nash said. As Mr. Nash reflected on the beauty of the Million Man March, he expressed how it hurt his heart to hear Minister Farrakhan being attacked and called anti-Semitic.
“He’s the man of God. For them to call him that and call out hate and want to cause him death. I believe he is a righteous man of God that leads the Black man to a better place.”
Dominique and Dwight Lewellen also enjoyed Student Min. Ishmael’s message. “It was wonderful. He spoke a lot of truth today. He opened our minds to some things,”
Said Mr. Lewellen, who came to Mosque Maryam for the first time with his wife. “I liked how he bridged the gap between the Bible and the Qur’an. It wasn’t about preaching about what’s different, but what makes us similar,” he said.
Travis Morris attended Mosque Maryam for the first time and was also impressed with what he heard.“It was impressive to hear the correlation between Christianity and Islam and how both the Bible and Qur’an were quoted in his lecture.
I heard a lot of similarities and I felt at home,” he said. “He gave a lot of words that were inspiring to me and a lot of truth that opened my eyes to certain things and I’ll be back.”
Nefatari Fisher gathered her 16-year-old twin sons to attend the program with her. Ms. Fisher explained she was still very indecisive about who she wanted to vote for in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, so she appreciated that Student Min. Ishmael addressed the issue with words of guidance from Minister Farrakhan.
“What are we voting for? Like he said, 90 percent of the Black people don’t even know what they are voting for. That has been brought to my attention a lot, too, especially with the economy and how everything is going. Right now, I’m indecisive because who we are voting for? I don’t think they can run it. I’m glad he spoke on it. It gave me more to think on.”
Will Owen is a 23-year-old videographer. He told The Final Call that the message delivered was beautiful, but that he was going to come to Mosque Maryam for the Holy Day of Atonement program regardless of the subject matter, “because it’s the Day of Atonement, it’s a national day.”
As he reflected on what stood out the most to him, Mr. Owen said it was Student Min. Ishmael’s speaking on a meeting between the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the Eternal Leader of the Nation of Islam, and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“As we know, Martin Luther King is a Christian man and Elijah Muhammad is a Muslim and that just showed unity. I love to see that,” said Mr. Owen.
Student Minister Abdul Sabur Muhammad of Mosque No. 26B in Oakland, California, traveled to Chicago to attend in person. As he reflected on aspects of the day’s message delivered at Mosque Maryam, what resonated most with him was Student Min. Ishmael speaking about the trumpet and its symbolism.
“The scripture that says on the day when the trumpet is blown, that day you shall see the guilty blue-eyed ones gathered together. And today, to hear the two trumpets and their relationship to each other. One stops and the next starts. We are certainly blessed to have the trumpet of the Minister sounding in our head,” he said.
Student Min. Sabur Muhammad lived in Los Angeles in 1985, at a time when a group of Jewish people were protesting the presence of Minister Farrakhan at the L.A. Forum with chants of death.
Student Min. Sabur said that it was the “trumpet” voice of the Minister that he heard. His mother, whom he describes as a “good Christian woman,” gave him a tape of Minister Farrakhan’s address at the L.A. Forum and he studied and listened to the tape for two years before he attended the mosque when the Minister returned to deliver part two of that message.
“I heard his cry through all of their murmurings, and it was nothing that they could say that was more powerful to me than the few seconds that they allowed the Minister’s voice to be heard because he was a trumpet.
He was my trumpet and that [awakened] me right in the midst of all the controversy in Los Angeles at that time. So, it was a great blessing. He gave me what I was searching for. The trajectory of my life was changed forever.”
Teresa Tolbert was also a first-time guest in Chicago. “The lecture was extremely important, that’s why I came today,” she said.
“I feel that this world, this country is in such chaos, and I realize listening to the lecture that the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Minister Farrakhan have been telling us the truth for years. It is important that we continue to listen and that we begin to be obedient because we have not been obedient.”
Deborah Riddle agreed. “This was a very powerful speech. It touched on a lot of things; religion and politics and it was really powerful. But most of all, it sends us forth. Not just sitting here getting the word. We got work to do. So, I’m inspired,” she said.
A nationwide message
In Nation of Islam mosques and study groups around the country, visitors and guests joined members of the Nation of Islam to view the message via webcast. Demonte McMeans viewed the message at Mosque No. 55 in Memphis, Tennessee.
“I came here, and I seen the brothers outside. They greeted me with open arms. I came in and I heard Brother Ishmael speak and I loved it,” he said.
It was an invitation by Demonte’s father that led him to the doorways of the mosque to hear the electrifying lecture. “My takeaway after today was, I believe in everything that was said today and I (will) just continue to study and get closer to God.”
“Today was confirmation to people who speak to me. I thank God for the confirmation, the joy of God’s love,” said Rose Anderson, who also viewed the program in Memphis.
“I’ve been speaking to the people about [the Presidential election] as well, because you can’t put your trust in man, you know, you have to put your trust in God.”
The weighty words delivered also impacted viewers gathered at Mosque No. 38 in Columbia, South Carolina. Larry Daniels, shared that he also attended the 1995 Million Man March. “I was right there.
I was all the way up front,” said Mr. Daniels, who is now 67. “I rode with y’all,” he recalled, attending the March by bus from Columbia. For Mr. Daniels, witnessing the 29th commemoration of the March and the message delivered by Student Min. Ishmael was rejuvenating for him.
He emphasized that the message was sobering and spoke directly into the time and need for love, unity and reconciliation.
For Columbia-based community organizer Brother Hamid, the message and commemoration represented a pivotal moment for the community to unite around a common goal.
He felt compelled to attend the webcast out of a sense of urgency due to the deteriorated state of the Black community. “In my humble understanding indeed it is the final call, and the main thing that I heard, and the reason why I myself am here,” he said.
Brother Hamid said it’s time for Black people to overcome various differences that “the enemy uses to divide us.” The message clearly showed it’s time to come together as one, he explained.
In Los Angeles, Western Regional headquarters of the Nation of Islam, believers of Mosque No. 27 hosted guests and visitors. Mahdee Gill was one of those guests.
“The thing that stood out the most … was, that I wasn’t aware of (is), how timely many of the things that we’ve been experiencing, particularly the storms and the weather, were in alignment with the previous forecasts the Minister (Farrakhan) has made, as well as the Honorable Elijah Muhammad,” he said.
From Harlem to Brooklyn to Boston, first-time guests to Mosque No. 7, Mosque No. 7C and Mosque No. 11 were inspired and fulfilled by the message.
In Boston in the heart of Grove Hall guests expressed their sentiments at Mosque No. 11. “Minister Ishmael’s presentation was totally apt for today. It made me reminisce about my early association with the Nation of Islam and how their members helped me in my sojourn.
The message today fit these times that we are living in today, not only for primarily Black people but for all of humanity to be concerned. This was a powerful lecture,” said Tony Irving.
At Mosque No. 7C in Brooklyn, guests were elated when they heard Student Min. Ishmael relate current crises happening today through a scriptural perspective.
Nicole Sheffield, a student and researcher, told The Final Call, “I am a Christian, but I came here today with the intent to hear this teacher and leader.
I must say with all honesty and fidelity, this is exactly what I’ve been researching and studying. I felt I was meant to be here for a purpose. Our steps are orchestrated and divine and I understood all that I received,” said Ms. Sheffield.
Rochelle Covington called Student Min. Ishmael’s message “right on point.” I read the newspapers regularly to find out what’s going on around the world and he was right on point about these events. I was impressed when he mentioned the storms and the effects it’s having on our country and how this is God’s wrath on the world.”
In Harlem, New York, at Mosque No.7, the audience was touched by the passion, delivery, information and inspiring words of Student Min. Ishmael. Paul James, 20 years old, was a first-time guest.
“This is my first interaction with the Nation of Islam. I am a Christian and basically before coming here to this mosque all that I heard about the Nation were the stereotypes and other claims that I heard of.
Now I can see that’s not the case at all. Just hearing now for myself how deeply rooted the Christian Gospel in the Bible is in the Nation of Islam and the faith and the teachings were super empowering and super interesting,” he said.
“By hearing these facts offers me now a different perspective. It was great to hear for myself today,” he continued. “I thought it was very empowering, enriching and super relevant to what’s going on today, especially with everything that’s going on in the Middle East.”
Student Minister Ishmael’s address earned cheers and applause from Muslims and guests of Mosque No. 25 in Newark, New Jersey. Of those in attendance was guest and supporter Vanessa Moore,
53. Ms. Moore told The Final Call that the address gave her a “strong sense of understanding and strength.” “[Minister Ishmael’s lecture] informed me on where we stand in this nation and how the events currently happening in this country truly affect us as a people,” she said.
Muslims, family and friends also gathered at Mosque 15 in Atlanta, the Southern Regional headquarters of the Nation of Islam, and Mosque 15B to view the message via webcast.
“I was very glad to be reminded of the Million Man March and the Holy Day of Atonement. I thought the message came through very clear through Student Min. Ishmael from the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and his instruction to us about atonement and the warning to us about the time and what must be done,” Student Southern Regional Minister Abdul Sharrieff Muhammad told The Final Call.
The Holy Day of Atonement was Marlow Rodgers’ first time attending a Nation of Islam meeting. “I learned a lot about Elijah Muhammad and Minister Farrakhan—two powerful men in God. It really touched me,” he said.
Father and daughter duo Bruce Meadows, a 49-year-old entrepreneur, and Bre’Ashia Meadows, 28, both said the message resonated with them. “There were a lot of encouraging messages, and it just reminded me that it’s time to put the work in, get disciplined and turn to God before it’s too late, and that’s what I want to do,” Ms. Meadows said.
“I felt like I was in the right place at the right time with the message that confirmed that this is what I need to do.” Her father expressed that the two will continue to attend the mosque.
Taffy Mayes first learned about Minister Farrakhan years ago through a friend. She viewed the Holy Day of Atonement message via webcast at Mosque 15B in College Park, Georgia.
“I loved seeing the amount of people that were actually at the Million Man March,” she said, referencing footage shown of the historic 1995 march. “It was just eye-opening to see that many people.”
Arlana Jones also watched the webcast at Mosque No. 15B. She said the lecture was great and it taught her things that she should have known and wished she had known. “I wish I knew about the Million Man March. I didn’t know anything about that. I wish I knew who Farrakhan was,” she said.
Audiences at Mosque No. 6 in Baltimore and Mosque No. 4 in Washington, D.C,. also agreed that the message delivered by Student Min. Ishmael was outstanding.
Mason Miller is 17 and attended the viewing at Mosque No. 4, Mid-Atlantic Regional headquarters of the Nation of Islam. He told The Final Call, “I thought that today’s lecture was really inspiring. Brother Ishmael talked about the challenges that Minister (Farrakhan) faced.
Just hearing how the Minister overcame those challenges was good. That was the main thing on the lecture that stood out to me. It’s powerful.”
Michael Tate was invited by his brother to learn more about Islam. He viewed the broadcast from Mosque No. 12 in Philadelphia. “From what I’ve heard so far, I’ve gained a lot of valuable insights. I’m interested in getting more involved.
I am particularly eager to learn more about (Minister) Louis Farrakhan and the teachings of Islam. Everything I’ve heard is genuine, and I believe in the truth of what was shared.
It’s essential to know how to survive in this world, and I want to live a life that’s neither sinful nor confined. I wish to embody the spirit and energy of Elijah Muhammad and follow the path of Allah (God).”
Toure Muhammad reported from Chicago, Nisa Islam Muhammad from Baltimore, Brian E. Muhammad from Columbia, S.C., Yaminah Muhammad from Newark, Daleel Jabir Muhammad from New York, Charlene Muhammad from Los Angeles, Zakiyyah Maryam Muhammad from Memphis, Anisah Muhammad from College Park, Ga., Azizah Muhammad from Atlanta and Michael Z. Muhammad from Philadelphia.
