CHICAGO—The Fruit of Islam (F.O.I.) and Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class (M.G.T. & G.C.C.) welcomed new graduates during the annual Saviours’ Day convention weekend.
“We are excited and overwhelmed with joy. I don’t know about you, but it brought tears to my eyes to be able to see these new soldiers,” said Student Minister Nuri Muhammad, emcee for the ninth graduation ceremony of new F.O.I. and M.G.T. entering the ranks of the Nation of Islam.
Opening with prayer, traditional color guard ceremony and procession, tears of joy and shouts of “Allahu Akbar! (God is the Greatest),” “Praise be to Allah!” and applause filled the air as the audience stood on their feet welcoming the entrance of the newly registered members of the Nation of Islam.
Student Minister Nuri Muhammad explained that material items or “the things of this world” is not the priority of the F.O.I. and M.G.T. “Our sole purpose is the delivering of 50 million or more dead to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan so he can take them to the Lamb of God, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad,” he said.
In his remarks, Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, National Assistant to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, helped the brothers and sisters in the audience to understand the “Shahada” process as the most sacred statement in Islam.
“The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Shura Executive Council congratulate graduates on your successful completion of the required course of study to become a registered member of the Nation of Islam,” he said.
“Each of us that registered had to first write a letter and that letter is our Shahada, the profession of faith, as the first pillar of Islam. Muslims all over the world bear witness that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger.
This simple yet profound statement expresses a Muslim’s complete acceptance of and total commitment to Islam and the cause of Allah. But, in the Nation of Islam, we go a little further in that Shahada than other Muslims on our planet by bearing witness that there is no God but Allah.
But since we were paid a visit by Allah, we say that there is no God but Allah, who came in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad to Whom Praises is due forever, and that the Honorable Elijah Muhammad is His True Servant and Apostle.”
Before remarks from Student National M.G.T. Captain Naeemah Muhammad and Student F.O.I. Supreme Captain Mustapha Farrakhan, videos detailing the roles of M.G.T. and F.O.I. were presented.
Three Shura Executive Council members had sons who graduated this year and there was special recognition of a 91 year old brother who graduated into the ranks of the F.O.I.
The ceremony was slightly paused for the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and his wife Mother Khadijah Farrakhan to attend. Upon their arrival, attendees in the huge structured tent on the grounds of The National Center and those viewing from the overflow spaces via simulcast exploded with excitement as they entered the area.
After thanking Minister Farrakhan and Mother Khadijah, Student National Captain Naeemah welcomed the newly registered class.
“This is a very special class as you are a very special group of graduates. Allah (God) has ordered the affairs such that you would enter into His Class at your Nation’s headquarters,” she said referring to the grounds of The National Center of the Nation of Islam.
“It is no accident that in this hour we are at The National Center for the re-education and the re-training of the Black man and woman, and ultimately for the totality of the human family.
It is no accident that we are here in the house that is dedicated to knowledge and the spreading of knowledge. The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad set this up to give guidance to all who would be guided as this world begins to close down.”
“I’ve been watching my father for 64 years and he has crisscrossed not just this country, but this world,” Student Supreme Captain Mustapha Farrakhan shared with the believers. “With a message that is indestructible. No one can defeat what we have.”
He continued: “So many have gone before you and have paid the ultimate price. Don’t get distracted.” He reminded the brothers and sisters of the structure and leadership of the Nation of Islam, referring to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan as that rock upon which the second rise of the Nation of Islam was built and cannot be destroyed.
“I don’t care how old you are. Today, all of us will be tested on what we say we believe. Know that your faith is going to be tested to the core, and we want to make a good account of ourselves.
We have to live for each other and die for each other because that’s the only way that we’re going to be free. So, let’s thank Allah for this moment. Let us savor this moment.”