by Yusef Muhammad
NORFOLK, Va.—On October 13, Muhammad Mosque No. 57 in Norfolk, Virginia, was presented a resolution by State Senator Angelia Williams Graves commemorating the 29th Anniversary of the historic Million Man March.
Senator Williams Graves represents the 21st District in Norfolk, Virginia. She prides herself on being an experienced, effective, and dedicated public servant, leader. “Mutual respect is everything. It is my honor to present this Senate Resolution, Number 159, commending Muhammad Mosque No. 57.
Protocol Director Sister Star Muhammad worked with us in order to get the language right so we could get it passed through the General Assembly. I am the patron and it was agreed to by the Senate of Virginia on March 8, 2024,” she said.
As she concluded reading the resolution, she added, “It has become a permanent record in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Believers, guests and visitors responded, “Allah-u-Akbar (God is the Greatest)!”
Student Minister Ernest Muhammad has known Senator Williams Graves since she was a representative on the Norfolk City Council and has maintained a consistent and positive relationship with her office. Student Minister Ernest graciously thanked Senator Williams Graves for her tireless effort in working for the people of the greater Norfolk area.
“I will humbly accept this proclamation on behalf of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam, Muhammad Mosque No. 57 and all the people who worked in the Tidewater area to make The Holy Day of Atonement for their history and a defining moment of our sojourn in North America,” he said.
“Also, I accept this on behalf of the men, women and children who organized behind the theme Atonement, Reconciliation (and Responsibility), a day of absence to stop the killing and recognize our failure as Black men.
Minister Farrakhan made us pledge to do better by our God and our community. A proclamation is usually of most importance and made by people of authority, like Senator Graves. It is also important to note that there were two previous attempts to achieve this to no avail.
Because of our Senator’s efforts, in the origin of our enslavement (Jamestown), she has declared to the world, on March 8, 2024, the State of Virginia recognizes October 16, 1995, as an official State holiday because of the efforts of Muhammad Mosque No. 57,” Student Minister Ernest continued.
“Thank you, Senator for keeping your word. We thank Sister Star Muhammad for her assistance and we thank all of those who worked in Norfolk in 1995. Let’s continue to make this date a recognized holiday in this area and throughout the State of Virginia.
It’s a momentous day after a momentous speech by the Student National Assistant to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, Ishmael Muhammad,” he said, referring to the national webcast and message, “Atonement and Repentance: Who of the Presidential Candidates Can Save the Lives of the People of America from the Wrath of God?”
When Senator Graves was asked about the significance of the presentation, she stated that “it was to demonstrate the work and non-violent nature of the Muslim community.
There is so much misinformation (and) characterization of the Muslim community and so for me, it is to show that we can all get along. We can all work together and we can all do good work together.”
