By Sister Teoka Muhammad
“Knowledge of self makes you a master of yourself. It makes you discipline yourself. Without education you are not free. You are ignorant and a slave to the educated.” —The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, “Message to the Blackman in America”
As we work to build a free, independent Nation, we must celebrate educational accomplishments from our community and former students of Muhammad University of Islam.
The following is by Sister Teoka Muhammad, M.G.T. Student Coordinator for the Utica, New York, Nation of Islam Study Group. She and her husband, Student Minister and former Utica Study Group Coordinator Courtney Muhammad, homeschooled their son Bro. Shyqual Lewis Muhammad.
While serving as director of Muhammad University of Islam, Bro. Dr. Larry Muhammad had the opportunity to work with them to fulfill one of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s greatest desires.
Which was to send students from the Nation of Islam to Cuba’s ELAM (Latin American School of Medicine) at the invitation of longtime comandante, the late Fidel Castro. At the age of 16, Bro. Shyqual was the youngest student from America to ever attend ELAM.
Dr. Shyqual Lewis Muhammad, M.D., reached a major milestone in his remarkable and unconventional journey to becoming a physician. A proud graduate of the prestigious Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) in Havana, Cuba (Class of 2019)
He recently completed his family medicine residency at Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS), cementing his commitment to community-centered healthcare.
Raised in the Nation of Islam and homeschooled through both primary and secondary education, Bro. Dr. Shyqual made history as the first homeschooled student to be accepted into ELAM’s internationally renowned medical program.
His early academic path was guided by the unwavering support of his family, and during his high school years, he connected with the Nation of Islam’s medical scholars’ program at Muhammad University of Islam.
Through this initiative, he became part of an emerging movement to reestablish the Nation of Islam’s relationship with Cuba’s ELAM, which aimed to send more students from underserved communities to study medicine abroad.
This effort was rooted in a broader vision to train compassionate, socially conscious physicians equipped to return and serve their communities in need.
Driven by a deep calling to serve and uplift his community and inspired by the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad under the leadership of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, Bro. Dr. Shyqual embraced the opportunity to pursue a medical education abroad. This was made possible by scholarships offered to students from marginalized backgrounds.
“Minister Farrakhan’s announcement about the scholarships to study medicine in Cuba opened a door I never imagined possible,” said Bro. Dr. Shyqual. “It inspired me to pursue my dream of becoming a physician and serving my community.
The education I received at ELAM wasn’t just about medicine—it was about justice, empathy, and understanding the broader social context of healthcare,” he added.
Founded in 1999, ELAM is globally recognized for its mission to train physicians from underserved populations, with an emphasis on primary care, public health, and the social determinants of health.
These values deeply resonate with Bro. Dr. Shyqual, whose vision of healthcare is rooted in equity and service. ELAM has graduated thousands of doctors who now serve in medically underserved communities worldwide.
After graduating from ELAM and earning his M.D. in 2019 at age 22, Bro. Dr. Shyqual entered the U.S. healthcare system just as the COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold.
Despite the unprecedented challenges, he remained resolute, completing his family medicine residency at MVHS, where he provided comprehensive care to patients of all ages and backgrounds. He completed his residency in 2025.
Now fully trained, Bro. Dr. Shyqual, 32, is preparing to return to the communities that inspired his journey. His future plans include practicing in both urban and rural underserved areas, with a focus on preventive medicine, patient education, and community empowerment.
His story stands as a powerful testament to perseverance, faith, and the transformative impact of educational opportunity—and a reminder that nontraditional paths can lead to extraordinary outcomes.