Coleman A. Young II, Detroit City Council President Pro-Tem, organized a “Mothers of the Year” event on May 12, at the Northwest Activity Center. Sister Athenia Harris Muhammad of Mosque No. 1 in Detroit and 10 other mothers, including a 105-year-old and a 91-year-old, were recognized as “Mothers of the Year in Detroit.” The event featured a pleasant evening of dinner, conversation, and laughter, noted her son, Brother Nathaniel Haris Muhammad, on Facebook.
Student Minister Troy Muhammad, of Mosque No. 1 in Detroit, praised Sis. Athenia for her culture and refinement and called her “a shining example of a wife, mother, sister and friend,” and a “beautiful and dedicated M.G.T. of the Nation of Islam,” on his Facebook page.
Sister Athenia served as M.G.T. Captain in Detroit after being appointed in 1982 by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and was a helper in the early days of the Nation of Islam’s rebuilding efforts in the city.
Sister Athenia married the love of her life, Nathaniel Harris, in 1963, remaining devoted to him until his return to Allah (God) on July 8, 2016. She is the proud mother of Bro. Chef Nathaniel Harris Jr., Bro. Arthur Harris III, Student F.O.I. Captain Sharrieff (Harmon) Muhammad, and her beloved daughter Sis. Geneva, who has also returned to Allah. She is a cherished grandmother of nine and a proud great-grandmother of 10.
“I thought it was special because at one time Sister Athenia Muhammad worked for his father, Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young,” posted Student Min. Troy Muhammad, referring to Councilman Young’s dad. “Of course our mosque family knows her to be a mother of the year every year. [Sis.] Athenia is a beacon of light and energy at Muhammad Mosque No. 1,” he added.
