Our Way of Devotion: Muslims flock to Detroit to celebrate Saviours’ Day 2026

DETROIT—The Nation of Islam marked history and a special spiritual, educational and transformative weekend when Muslims across the world, flocked to Detroit for the annual Saviours’ Day convention.

They journeyed to honor and commemorate the Birth of Master Fard Muhammad, Allah (God) in Person, The Great Mahdi, Founder of the Nation of Islam and Teacher of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, born February 26, 1877, in the Holy City of Mecca in Arabia.

The historic weekend occurred Feb. 20-22 under the theme, “And Make Thy Lord Thy Exclusive Object,” from the Holy Qur’an, Surah (Chapter) 94, Ayat (Verse) 8.

Excitement and anticipation rang out as believers greeted each other in their way of devotion. Greetings of “As-Salaam Alaikum! (Peace Be Unto You), Happy Saviours’ Day! Ramadan Mubarak! (Blessed Ramadan)” could be heard filling the air throughout the weekend from the thousands of Muslims and guests in attendance at the Huntington Place convention center.

Attendees traveled near and far, from as far away as the UK and all points across the United States. Many braved more than eight-hour drives through extreme cold weather to be in that number to attend Saviours’ Day.

Sister Sakinah Muhammad, traveled from Gainesville, Florida, and said that she came to work and “be with the amazing believers.” She was with her friend, Stephanie McCullum, who explained she heard about Saviours’ Day from her father.

“He’s not a follower of the Nation, but he’s an admirer of it; and my uncle is also a part of it, so I’ve been hearing about it all my life through them,” Ms. McCullum told The Final Call. “I’ve just been in awe the entire time. It’s really nice to see,” she said.

She planned to view the Sunday, Feb. 22 keynote address by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan delivered by his National Assistant, Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad along with her father via internet webcast. The keynote message was titled, “We Must Make Our Community a Decent and Safe Place to Live.”

“He (her father) watches it every year,” Ms. McCullum said. “The community is the biggest thing that I’ve taken away from it. … I’ve seen some similarities in my own belief. … This is very beautiful!” she said about her Saviours’ Day experience.

The weekend was even more special as Saviours’ Day occurred during the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan, observed by over two billion Muslims worldwide.

It was the first time Saviours’ Day occurred during Ramadan since 1993. Throughout the weekend the Adhan or call to prayer by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, National Representative of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Eternal Leader of the Nation of Islam, was heard over the speaker system in the convention center to signal it was time for prayer.

Muslims pray a minimum of five times per day. During the Adhan attendees stopped their activities and observed the five daily prayers: Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night).

Prior to the highly anticipated keynote message on Sunday, Feb. 22, the weekend was filled with plenary sessions, the ever-popular Mother Khadijah Farrakhan’s Children’s Village, the N.O.I.

Historical Exhibit that featured priceless memorabilia and artifacts from the vast and rich history of the Nation, workshops, an early morning physical training and martial arts training session and other activities.

The Friday, Feb. 20, plenary was titled, “Make Thy Lord Thy Exclusive Object” and the workshops included: “Prayer/Salat-The #1 Pillar of Faith,” “Fasting/How to Eat to Live/Health,” “Jihad/Self-Improvement,”

“The Divine Judgment of Allah/Disaster Preparedness,” and “Do for Self, Part 1.”
The day also included Jumu’ah congregational prayer in the Grand Ballroom where Nation of Islam Student National Imam Sultan Rahman Muhammad delivered the khutbah (sermon) to a capacity audience.

Friday also featured the Nation of Islam Awards Banquet which honored helpers in the cause of Islam, and a singles meet and greet, as marriage and family is the cornerstone of a Nation.

Saturday morning, Feb 21 started with separate private men’s (F.O.I., the Fruit of Islam) and women’s (M.G.T. and G.C.C., Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class) classes for registered members of the Nation of Islam.

Minister Farrakhan, accompanied by his lovely wife and Nation of Islam First Lady Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, blessed believers and special guests with their presence at the graduation of newly “registered” members of the Nation of Islam.

During the graduation, Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, Student Supreme Captain Mustapha Farrakhan, Student National M.G.T Captain Naeemah Muhammad, and Student National Secretary Sa’ad Alim Muhammad, shared spirited words, guidance and instructions to the new graduates based on the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.

The highlight of the graduation was the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan sharing words of guidance and letting them know they are witnesses to his 71 years of work.

Several graduates fought back tears, as they filed in, being led by the N.O.I. Honor Guard and to the applause and cheers from their brothers and sisters in the audience.

Brother Basheer Muhammad, a third generation Muslim from Los Angeles, beamed with joy to see his first-born son, Basheer Ibn Muhammad, join the ranks of Islam as a student of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.

“It’s a new change, a new beginning. I saw the brothers in the F.O.I. suits, uniforms. I was born in the Nation of Islam, and I wanted to be like that, so Allah (God) put on my mind, it came to my heart, to become an F.O.I. to save our people,” stated the 24 year old.

Saturday, Feb. 21 included additional workshops including, “The Reality of God/Point #12,” “The Holy Qur’an,” “Charity,” “Good Manners Protect Good Morals,” “Culture & Refinement: The Waltz,” and “Do for Self, Part 2.” The concluding plenary session was themed, “What is the Duty of a Civilized Person & What is the Meaning of Civilization?”

Evening events included the popular drill competition, where teams from mosques around the country vied with one another in righteous competition.

A centerpiece during Saviours’ Day is always Mother Khadijah Farrakhan’s Children’s Village, which is free for all children. It is born out of the Nation of Islam First Lady’s love for children and her desire to ensure they enjoy their Saviours’ Day experience.

The Children’s Village included bounce houses, video sports games, bumper cars, a personalized stuffed animal station, entertainment, gifts, entertainment and much more.

In a special treat, on the afternoon of Feb. 21 Minister Farrakhan and Mother Khadijah visited the Children’s Village to the excitement of adults and children who waved, took pictures and smiled at the beautiful couple who have been married over 70 years.

Brother Nkenge X of Muhammad Mosque No. 27 in Los Angeles said that the weekend, “shows you how much love is in the Nation of Islam and in our people, naturally. This event shows you, because even people that are not registered members of the Nation of Islam, we all are here as family in a way where it’s just ‘peace!’”

The Nation of Islam Shura Executive Council and their staff met the high anticipation of the weekend with riveting, non-stop activities displaying high civilization through education, art, culture, music, and dance, based on the foundation of the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.

Brother Samuel X Clark, Student Protocol Director for Mosque No. 78 in Jackson, Mississippi, praised the events of the weekend, stating it had, “exceeded all expectations.”

“It truly is the greatest Saviours’ Day,” Bro. Samuel said. He added that he admired the plenary session’s inspiring words, highlighting how it helps make scriptures relevant today.

“Throughout all of the workshops, through the plenary sessions and all, the Nation is growing, evolving, and this is what we are supposed to do,” said Student Min. Abdul Muthakkir Muhammad of Mosque No. 55 in Memphis.

“In all of the workshops, you saw believers from all walks of life handling the workshops. And you see our Nation is evolving as was expected by our Saviour Master Fard Muhammad. I went up to the prayer room with Student Minister and Student Imam Abdul Salaam Muhammad.

We made prayers. Just a beautiful time. And, Minister Farrakhan asked us to hear Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad and we knew that Allah (God) was going to bless him,” he added.

Brother Kenneth Muhammad has been a registered member of the Nation of Islam over 40 years. He and his daughter Sister Kenetta traveled from Atlanta, Georgia, where they attend Mosque No. 15. He said he was blessed to have his daughter there with him.

Sister Kenetta was moved by what she experienced during the weekend. “I just feel like I’m a star in the Nation, like as a star among stars, like everyone is a star,” she said. “And Minister Farrakhan said we have the same ability to do what he has done.

And so, it’s just been great to see everybody step into their power, this Saviour’s Day, and then, do things like the waltz workshop.” For Sister Kenetta she said the best thing she did over the weekend was learning to waltz during the interactive workshop, “Culture & Refinement: The Waltz.”

Attendees expressed joy at returning to Detroit, affectionately called “Mecca,” where the Nation of Islam was founded where Master Fard Muhammad appeared in the area of the city known as Black Bottom Detroit, July 4, 1930. He began teaching Black people the knowledge of God, the knowledge of self and the knowledge of the devil.

“I’m just glad to be back in Detroit! And that’s the major excitement,” said Sister Shirley Muhammad of Ocho Rios, Jamaica. It was her second visit to Detroit, and what stood out the most was the opening plenary. “It was just wonderful. All the speakers, they just set the precedent.” she said.

The Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad as taught and exemplified by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan continue to resonate around the world and impacts millions. Student Minister Abel Muhammad is the representative to the Latin American community for the Nation of Islam and is based in Chicago at Mosque Maryam and is of Mexican descent.

Prior to Saviours’ Day, Student Minister Abel said the F.O.I. in Detroit and other nearby cities passed out flyers, sold tickets and spread the word about Saviours’ Day returning to the city.

Student Min. Abel said the people were excited about the convention and asked about the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
“The focus was the excitement for Saviours’ Day … . And they were just excited about the work that we were doing,” he said.

“It was a beautiful, beautiful expression to see the growth now in the minds of our people, that they’re looking for something better, and that they see the Nation of Islam as that which gives hope and is a possibility for something better for our people and our community. It’s wonderful,” he said. Guest Writer Eric Ture Muhammad contributed to this report.

Additional extensive coverage from Saviours’ Day 2026 will be featured in upcoming editions of The Final Call.