by Azizah Muhammad and Anisah Muhammad
The Final Call @TheFinalCall
ATLANTA—The Nation of Islam’s (N.O.I.) Musical Ensemble’s “Sounds of Harmony Tour” recently graced Atlanta with awe-inspiring talent from young musicians.
The historic First Congregational Church UCC, established in 1867 and located in downtown Atlanta, hosted the ensemble’s fourth stop of their nationwide tour.
The audience, which consisted of guests from various cities, watched the precise movements of the musicians as they showcased their passion for classical music. The concert was held Nov. 23.
The “Sounds of Harmony Tour” began with the desire to concretize the words of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan when he said to the N.O.I. Musical Ensemble on the evening of Sunday, February 25, 2024:
“All of you were so great, we have a talented family among us, and I want to encourage you to keep going and inspiring others to pick up an instrument and let’s make The Nation of Islam Symphony Orchestra a reality!”
The N.O.I. Musical Ensemble includes gifted youth and young adults who strive to demonstrate the revival of cultural advancement through music. The ensemble includes violinists:
Sajdah Muhammad, Naseem Muhammad, Henry Leon Akbarkhan Muhammad, Amirah Hashimah Muhammad, Malik Muhammad, Amirah I. Muhammad, Timothy Muhammad II, and Abdul Malik Muhammad;
violists: Naseem Muhammad, Malik Muhammad; pianists: Maryam Muhammad, Jamilah Shakir-Muhammad, and Timothy Muhammad II; soprano vocalist, Khadijah Y. Muhammad; cellist, Khalilah Muhammad; piano accompanist, Vivian Mosley; and composer, Abdul Karriem Muhammad.
“Allah, in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad, and the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad desires for us to reclaim our own which includes “high civilization” as exemplified in the performing of what is referred to as ‘classical music,’” Stated Brother Sa’ad Alim Muhammad, Student National Secretary and member of the Shura Executive Council of the Nation of Islam.
“The Nation of Islam’s Musical Ensemble is a demonstration of that high civilization and Allah-willing, it will serve as the beginning steps toward accomplishing the goal established by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan of one day having a Nation of Islam Symphony Orchestra,” he continued.
Before the ensemble officially graced the stage with their performances, Student Southern Regional M.G.T. and G.C.C. Captain Dr. Nusaybah Muhammad and Dekalb, Georgia Study Group Coordinator Brother Jamoul Muhammad, prepared the audience for an evening of excitement. The spirit rose with intensity as guests awaited the beginning of a four-hour fun-filled night.
Southern Regional Student Minister Abdul Sharrieff Muhammad graced the stage with opening remarks of gratitude to Minister Farrakhan and all the organizers and visionaries of the “Sounds of Harmony.” He further thanked the audience for their presence.
Brother Sa’ad Alim Muhammad shared the vision of the Ensemble and highlighted the importance of unity in organizing an ensemble that would visually and musically incorporate the vision of Minister Farrakhan.
“The Holy Qur’an and the Bible talk about ‘us’ and ‘we,’ and there’s no way this ensemble could have come together with ‘I,’” Brother Sa’ad Alim Muhammad told The Final Call.
“So, it is a great team that Allah has blessed us to come together to do the different parts that require the ensemble to be successful,” he added. “And we’re grateful to everyone who has played a part in the management of the ensemble, from the protocol department to the student secretarial department to the AV (audio-visual) teams.”
Musical conductor and arranger, Brother Farrad Muhammad shared the history of the ensemble with the audience. “The orchestra has been performing for a little less than a year, and Atlanta is the fourth leg of our stop,”
Bro. Farrad told The Final Call. Brother Farrad Muhammad, a lifelong musician who has played for various orchestras and stated he is honored to share his talents and musical experiences with the Nation of Islam.
He explained as a follower of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan it has been a blessing to share his gifts and talents with the Nation of Islam.
“It has given my life greater purpose, and I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to work with these fine musicians here.”
Opening acts included performances from three members of Mosque No. 15 in Atlanta: pianist, Nazirah Muhammad; vocalist Zewdy X; and saxophonist Najm Muhammad.
Once the ensemble began their performances, their harmonious tunes echoed through the venue. Residents of Atlanta, some who had never been to a musical ensemble, were impressed with the professionalism and performances.
Sister Helen Eli Muhammad is the N.O.I. Musical Ensemble Concert Tour Coordinator and enjoys witnessing the talent of young people in the Nation of Islam and described the tour as a “rewarding” experience. “You just see the evidence of Allah working through His people and through the youth,” she stated.
Sister Cassandra R. Muhammad of the Ministry of Arts and Culture and the N.O.I. Musical Ensemble Talent Coordinator lends her time and professional expertise to the ensemble. “My aspiration for young people in the Nation of Islam is to express themselves in the Ministry of Arts and Culture,” she stated.
Others were equally as moved by the performances.
“The spirit was high in Atlanta,” said Brother Don Enoch Muhammad, an aide to Minister Farrakhan. “This has to continue. It has to be filmed and produced into some type of video so that the world can see the greatness of the youth of the Nation of Islam, all coming out of the mind, the heart, and the musical expression of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.”
The N.O.I. Musical Ensemble performance in Atlanta was a success. “I think that the ensemble tonight was amazing,” said Student Regional Minister Abdul Sharrieff Muhammad. “I’m praying that the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan is pleased with it. The vision of the Minister is to have a full orchestra, and I’ve seen tonight that this is where we are heading.”
