MILWAUKEE—The Nation of Islam’s Muhammad Mosque No. 3 invited guests to attend its first Sunday meeting at their new location in the city’s North Division neighborhood. Attendees described it as an inspirational Mother’s Day service, keeping their word to help make the Black community a safer and more decent place to live.
Coinciding with the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s 92nd birth anniversary on May 11, the mosque located at 925 W. Burleigh Street presented a Mother’s Day message titled “The Immeasurable Value of the Female:
A New Beginning,” delivered by Student Minister William Muhammad. The prior Saturday (May 10) was devoted to a Day of Service, where the Muslims distributed free gift bags containing fresh fruit and other items to local residents.
“This area is the most downtrodden ZIP code of Milwaukee,” Mosque No. 3 Student Protocol Director Sister Athena Muhammad said. “Our goal is to do what we’ve been doing.
Which is canvassing the neighborhood and reaching out to the people to invite them to hear the word of truth that will begin the process of the mental resurrection that is needed. Our goal is also to show some love to the community, to bring light.”
Comparing Minister Farrakhan to a source of light for the people and an example to follow, Sis. Athena said it is likewise the duty of the believers to do the same as a means to dispel a darkness that has enveloped much of the 53206 ZIP code.
“The word is sufficient, but we know that sometimes we have to do more than just give a good word,” she explained. “There is a light-giving sun among us, and we are operating under his direction, and example.”
Student M.G.T. and G.C.C. Captain Sister Melissa Muhammad agrees that good service is of vital importance to a community and that the Mother’s Day message was in line with their goals. “The title was ‘A New Beginning,’ and this was a new beginning for us here on this side of town,” she said.
“Knowing that the women in this area, more than likely, have not heard the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, it was very important for this message to be given out on this day, especially on the birth anniversary of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan,” Sis. Melissa noted.
Visitors shared their positive experiences and many accepted the invitation to learn more about the Nation of Islam after hearing the message.
Charmeeze Cooper, 26, said as a first-time guest, she felt welcomed, embraced by the people, and enjoyed the spirit of those in attendance. “I have lived over here and this is my first time at a Muslim mosque. It was really welcoming, you could see the joy, the warmth. This is what the (meeting) had brought, it was an embrace,” she said.
Aali Hall, 27, said the message was much needed and he enjoyed the mosque’s atmosphere and crowd. “Today’s message was very vital, not only for me as a father, but also for other fathers as well. There is a part we both play in each other’s lifestyle,” Mr. Hall said.
“The condition of renewing those lifestyles starts with one valuing the woman and her true sense of value. A lot of times, we aren’t taught because we’re taught under single mothers and absent fathers, so today’s message was very important to hear,” he said.
“There is a duty amongst men, and that duty is not only to maintain but to value our women and to help them in seeing that value,” Mr. Hall added.
The rates of violence and abuse toward women, particularly Black women in Milwaukee, have been alarming. From the notorious murder and dismemberment of Sade Robinson (See The Final Call Vol. 43 No. 33) to dozens of other cases.
Student F.O.I. Captain David Muhammad said much work needs to be done and the mission of service to the people continues. He said having a new building in a new location and with modern technology should motivate the believers to work harder and at a quicker rate.
“Allah (God) granted us a victory, and we have to give Allah the complete and total credit for putting it in the hearts and minds of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and our national leadership to assist us with this building because there’s been a great deal of struggle,” Bro. David said of the journey to acquire their new mosque location.
“When the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan came to this city in 1990 during his ‘Stop the Killing Tour,’ he said that Milwaukee has not been as quick as the other cities, but when she gets up and running, she’ll run ahead of all the rest,” Bro. David Muhammad said.
Student Minister William Muhammad told The Final Call that in 2015, Minister Farrakhan told an audience of local leaders that he could feel the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad walking the streets of Milwaukee because it was the third temple He had established in the early 1930s under the guidance of His Teacher, Allah in the Person of Master W. Fard Muhammad, The Great Mahdi.
“Our people are in bad shape, and we thank Allah for the opportunity to come among our people and to walk the streets of this neighborhood,” Student Minister William said.
“We thank Him for the opportunity to go door-to-door like The Saviour went door-to-door; and to transmit to our people the spirit of love, of compassion, and an understanding of their condition as best we can in harmony with Master Fard Muhammad when He came to us.”
—William P. Muhammad, Contributing Writer
