In the Holy Qur’an, the book of scripture of the Muslims, Almighty God Allah promises that He will not waste the work of any worker.
When we look at how nations, institutions, organizations, and movements grow and evolve, we must never forget those who worked and contributed to making that nation, institution, organization, or movement that we love and respect into what it is.
By Allah’s (God’s) grace, we marked 45 years of the existence of The Final Call last year. It has grown from an intermittent publication to a respected, award-winning weekly journal which offers a digital newspaper, social media, and video to deliver the truth to our people and the world.
It’s very easy to look at a nation, institution, organization or movement and appreciate where it is today without considering where it came from or where it was yesterday.
Nation building, in particular, is not an easy nor quick endeavor. Bringing a new reality into existence and nourishing it until it reaches its full potential is not easy.
Photo courtesy of family
Over time, individuals step in who not only believe in the vision, but who labor, sacrifice and endure much to bring the vision into being.
Sister Rosalind Diallo, also known as Sister Rosalind Muhammad, was one of those workers who helped make The Final Call what it is today and her contribution must never be forgotten.
She departed this life Feb. 2 and her funeral services were held in Los Angeles. She grew up in California and studied communications at California State University Los Angeles.
When I first heard the news of Sister Rosalind’s passing, I was rather shocked and tried to gather myself to write something about her.
It wasn’t an easy task. It took me a little time to pull my thoughts together and acquire some actual facts about her before I could begin to express my appreciation for her.
Sister Rosalind was a beautiful writer, a very talented storyteller, and a journalist filled with integrity and passion.
When it came to the rise of our people, our Nation and the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, she chronicled our journey and defended us.
She joined The Final Call in 1991 and worked through important stories for us. Among them was the CIA-crack cocaine pipeline escapade, which was exposed by the late journalist Gary Webb.
He found CIA operatives were involved in drug dealing for the Contra forces in Nicaragua which spread crack cocaine into Black communities in the United States.
Unfortunately, this man was attacked and his work maligned though it was full of truth. The mainstream media targeted him and he was reported dead by suicide.
The CIA operation used drug money to pay for weapons the right-wing Contras used in their war against the socialist Sandinista regime to get around congressional action that ceased funding.
Sister Rosalind interviewed “Freeway” Rick Ross, who was a Johnny Appleseed in the early days of crack distribution. He traveled throughout California and other places, dispensing his deadly wares.
He started as a young Black man unaware of the international and long-term devastating, impact the drug would have in our neighborhoods. He later grew in consciousness and talked about his regrets at having played a destructive role in the lives of our people.
Sister Rosalind covered the release of Black Panther Geronimo Pratt, after 27 years of unjust incarceration and other notable stories.
She went on to live in Paris with her then-husband Brother Abdul-Karim Diallo Muhammad and serve as an international writer for The Final Call. She also worked with and traveled with Mother Tynnetta Muhammad, wife of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
“Fond memories I have of our dear Sister Rosalind Muhammad include her way with words and strong voice in print, yet how quiet she appeared,” said Sister Charlene Muhammad, who succeeded Sister Rosalind and worked briefly with her in Los Angeles in 1997 before the talented scribe moved to France.
“One of the first lessons she taught me in our totally brief time together—if I recall, one meeting—was to write from an outline each and every time and to have a dictionary, an old one, on hand,” said Sister Charlene.
“I’d been an avid reader of The Final Call and learned all about her through her work before we even met. It was an honor to speak with her and follow in her footsteps, for she laid a base and foundation in the West for The Final Call that I cherish deeply and strive to uphold today,” said Sister Charlene, who serves as national correspondent for The Final Call.
Brother Abdul-Karim shared how he and Sister Rosalind met in Chicago at Saviours’ Day 1996, where she interviewed him for The Final Call. He was from France and opening an N.O.I. study group in the country.
“She immediately offered to support me by sending me The Final Call newspaper and other information and documents likely to help me in my mission.
When I didn’t return to France, we started communicating by telephone, and after a few months we discovered a mutual affinity and attraction, and after a year I came to find her in Los Angeles to marry her. That was in 1997,” he said.
“What I can say about Sister Rosalind is that she immediately caught my attention not only because she was very beautiful, but also because of her intelligence, knowledge and understanding of the Teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, and the fact that she and her family belonged to the first resurrection,” said Brother Abdul-Karim referring to the time period before 1975.
“From what she told me; her father had been introduced to the Nation of Islam by Malcolm X. But what struck me most about her was her curiosity and desire to learn. She seized every opportunity to learn in any field and especially on subjects she knew would be of interest to The Final Call newspaper and its readers.
“She was always taking notes with a notepad. She was also very involved in the Paris study group in France and very supportive of my work with the brothers and sisters on activities related to the work we do within the Nation of Islam.
Such as Friday study guides and Sunday meetings. She also took part in training the sisters, the future M.G.T. and G.C.C. (women of the Nation of Islam),” said Brother Abdul-Karim. “I’ll never forget her.”
Sister Rosalind was an example of the Teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad that say, a nation can rise no higher than its women. We should be forever grateful for her and those who serve us. Never take for granted where we are today. Never believe that we are where we are as the result of happenstance.
Success and institution building come through the grace of Almighty God, Allah, and those He sends to build that which is envisioned. Sister Rosalind was a builder and we honor her.
Lastly, Allah (God) hates ingratitude. We should hate ingratitude too and show our appreciation by respecting those who helped bring us to where we are and the work it takes to stay there.
Naba’a Muhammad is editor-in-chief of The Final Call newspaper. He can be reached via www.finalcall.com and [email protected]. Find him on Facebook. Follow @RMfinalcall on X and Instagram.
