TINLEY PARK, Ill.—The 31st Annual United School of Survival (USOS) International Training Conference, hosted by Grandmaster Dr. Abdul Azziz Muhammad, convened on the outskirts of Chicago July 23 through July 26, at the Tinley Park Convention Center.
This year’s theme, “We Must Make Our Communities a Decent and Safe Place to Live,” carried added weight throughout the weekend, as the conference unfolded in the wake of two significant losses for the Nation of Islam.
Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, wife of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and First Lady of the Nation of Islam, returned to Allah (God) on June 27. Sister Azziza Muhammad, affectionately called “Mama Azziza,” wife of Grandmaster Dr. Abdul Azziz Muhammad, the Student Assistant Supreme Captain of the Nation of Islam, returned to Allah on July 15.
Both heavy losses were felt throughout the weekend by participants and attendees—nowhere more than in a tribute delivered on the mat by the sisters of USOS Lion’s Paw Martial Arts.
And as he has in years past, Minister Louis Farrakhan addressed participants at this year’s International Training Conference (see related coverage this issue), continuing a tradition that has made his presence the weekend’s most anticipated moment for martial artists, security trainers, and families gathered from across the country.
Prior to Minister Farrakhan’s message on July 25, the conference’s opening day and session featured remarks from several of his longtime helpers, including his National Assistant, Student Minister Ishmael R. Muhammad; his son, Student Supreme Captain Mustapha Farrakhan;
Student Minister Nuri Muhammad of Mosque No. 74 in Indianapolis; Student Minister Jeffrey Muhammad of Mosque Maryam in Chicago; and Student Minister Ilia Rashad Muhammad of Mosque No. 55 in Memphis.
Student Min. Ilia centered his remarks directly on the conference theme. As a beekeeper, he drew an analogy to the conference’s theme by describing bees as a model of self-sacrificing, cooperative community-building directly relevant to the conference’s aim of making our communities and neighborhoods a safe and decent place to live, as taught by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
The responsibility is on Black people just like the responsibility for the safety and protection of the “hive” falls on the “community” or “nation” of bees in that hive.
“Everything the bees do they do it for their ‘nation.’ … They do it for the whole,” he said.
‘Accept Your Own And Be Yourself’
In his remarks during the conference opening, Student Minister Ishmael spoke on the discipline that training provides. “The training gives us the requisite discipline that is found in the teachers. The training gives us skill that allows for us to do what Allah (God), through His Messenger Messiah, would have us to do,” he said.
The International Training Conference brings together martial arts practitioners, security professionals and students of all levels, ages and backgrounds. It is a gathering that focuses on not only physical preparation and training, but mental and spiritual training as well.
Student Min. Ishmael spoke on the story of David and Goliath from the Bible, framing the young shepherd’s victory as a matter of faith rather than physical preparation. “It comes from the strength of his heart and the rich soul.
It is the faith that removes fear,” continued Student Min. Ishmael. He also spoke of the “whole armor of God” as spiritual protection, and described the greater struggle as an internal one. “Satan is already in our heart … the real enemy to defeat is Satan on the inside,” he stated.
He concluded his remarks with a call to self-discipline. “… develop yourself. Be yourself. Learn about yourself. And cultivate yourself, because yourself is God.”
Over four days, the conference combined martial arts training and competition with workshops on security, family life, agriculture, and youth development, alongside spiritual observance including Friday’s Jumu’ah (congregational) prayer.
Nation of IslamStudent National Imam Sultan Rahman Muhammad, who led Jumu’ah prayer Friday afternoon, focused his khutbah (sermon) around the Arabic roots for light (Nur) and fire (Nar), applying the distinction to the conference’s community-safety theme. “We are charged with the divine command to make a more decent and safe place to live,” he told the congregation.
“Are we part of the fire that is destroying our community? Or are we part of the light that is bringing about the transformation of our people?” he asked.
Throughout the weekend, special workshops and sessions were held. On July 25, martial arts masters and senseis from various styles and schools demonstrated self-defense techniques, giving adults and children a chance to learn and participate.
Then the anticipated moment arrived, when the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan arrived to thunderous applause, before the audience was seated on mats, in anticipation of hearing from him. However, before his message, martial artists continued demonstrating techniques.
Children and youth entered the mat as one played a wind chime before they sat down. Sister Dr. Khalilah T. Muhammad, flanked by Sister Tamiko G. Muhammad, then addressed Minister Louis Farrakhan.
“Brother Minister?” Sister Khalilah said over the microphone. “Yes!” he answered, breaking into a bright smile as the room laughed. “As-Salaam Alaikum, sir,” she continued. “Walaikum salaam. I can see you!” he replied.
“Today we would like to present a tribute to Mother Khadijah Farrakhan,” Sister Khalilah said. “I have her with me,” Minister Farrakhan interjected. “We have often heard you say that Mother Khadijah is the wind beneath your wings,” she continued. “Yes,” he said.
“So, every time you hear the wind blow, we want you to know that she is always with you, no matter where you are. This tribute is for you,” Sister Khalilah concluded.
“Yes, I brought her with me!” Minister Farrakhan answered.
Some conference-goers smiled, laughed, others wept.
Minister Farrakhan then received the gift of the tribute itself, telling the Sisters of USOS: “You all go ahead and do what you do and I’m with you if you’re giving a tribute to the woman whom God gave me.
That is the best gift I could have other than His Presence and the presence of the truth and the mission that He gave to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. So, thank you so much for your tribute to her because really that sets the stage so completely perfect for me. Thank you very much.”
“Allahu Akbar” rang out, followed by applause, as the tribute resumed.
Professor Zahalea Anderson, of Ra Life Defense at the Urban School of Self Defense, paid honor with a kata routine filled with grace, reverence, beauty and strength. As the young students exited the mat, Sister Sensei Gabrielle X stepped forward along with a group of sisters who are students of USOS Lions Paw.
They gave courtesy (bowing) to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, Grandmaster Dr. Abdul Azziz Muhammad, Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, and to Sister Shodan (first-degree black belt) Azziza Muhammad.
In speaking about Mother Khadijah and Sister Azziza, Sister Tamiko said, “May their legacy continue to inspire for generations to come. May their memory forever live in our heart,” adding that the sisters were presenting the kata (form) “as a tribute to strength that does not overpower, but endures, to movement that is fluid but is unwavering, and to power expressed with grace, intention and balance.”
Reflections and lessons learned
There were special men-only, women-only, and youth sessions, as well as other family-friendly events during the weekend like the singles social and a “Rep Your Generation Party.”
Workshop sessions included: “Protecting our houses of worship!” “Hands-on session on emergency response, “The Great Famine,” and “Defensive Driving.”
Participants and presenters enjoyed the sessions.
Sister Vivian Muhammad and Brother Hadi Muhammad guided youth during a workshop on gardening. Sister Vivian Muhammad runs an urban farming project in Indianapolis.
“Your community, first of all—gardens, neighborhood gardens, your own yard—that’s neighborhood beautification … that is helping to make your community a decent and safe place to live,” she said.
Sister Niara Siddiq, of New Orleans, said a workshop on famine preparedness led by Brother Randy Muhammad of Osafa’s Oasis farm in Georgia impacted her. “We really do need to take charge … because our lives are at stake and we can’t just wait around. He (Bro. Randy) did motivate me to start gardening,” she said.
Sister Angie Muhammad, who traveled from Los Angeles with her three daughters and young niece, described the weekend as something she “could not even put into words,” saying it was her family’s first time physically seeing Minister Farrakhan in person in nearly four years.
A belt promotion ceremony led by Grandmaster Dr. Azziz and Shihan Daniel Muhammad of USOS Lion’s Paw recognized students across ranks, including two Jr. blackbelts.
On the final day of the conference, July 26, the Scimitar Open Martial Arts Tournament offered martial artists a chance to compete in various categories, including kata, martial arts weapons, and sparring.
