ATLANTA—Just a few days after the Oct. 7 birth anniversary of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the Nation of Islam will commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Million Man March and Holy Day of Atonement in Atlanta.
Affectionately known as a “Black Mecca,” Atlanta is located 130 miles northwest of Sandersville, Georgia, where the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Eternal Leader of the Nation of Islam, was born.
Believers, friends, and family are invited to attend the commemorative national gathering, which will be held Oct. 9-11.
At the call of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, nearly two million Black men gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on October 16, 1995, under the theme, “Atonement, Reconciliation and Responsibility.” That day became known as a “Holy Day of Atonement.”
Minister Farrakhan described the Million Man March as “a glimpse of heaven.” He has also explained the importance of keeping the memory, work and spirit of the Million Man March alive.
In “The Teachings 2.0: Twitter Sayings of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, Volume 1,” the Minister was asked the following question: “What’s the point of still celebrating the anniversary of the Million Man March?”
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan responded: “The same point that everyone does in celebrating holidays of great events in the history of a nation. The Million Man March was something that was never done before and may never be done again.
It was a great moment in our history and it should be studied because the unity and peace that nearly two million men found in one day is what we hope we can produce every day of our lives.”
Atlanta hosted the commemorative anniversary event in 2016, where the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke to thousands at the Fox Theater, under the theme, “Come Out of Her My People: A Declaration of Independence.”
Ten years later, the Shura Executive Council of the Nation of Islam, Atlanta’s Muhammad Mosque No. 15, and the Southern Region are excited to host this momentous event once again for the Black community and the human family.
The Laboring staff of Mosque No. 15 and believers are working diligently to prepare to welcome people traveling from all parts of the country for the special weekend. Student Regional Minister Abdul Sharrieff Muhammad, Student Regional F.O.I. Captain Oliver Muhammad.
Student Regional M.G.T. and G.C.C. Captain Dr. Nusaybah Muhammad, Student Regional Secretary Sean Muhammad and Student Regional Protocol Director Saabirah Muhammad are preparing day and night as the date approaches.
Student M.G.T. Captain Dr. Nusaybah was at the Mall in Washington, D.C., 31 years ago and looks forward to welcoming people to Atlanta once again. She described that moment in 1995 as one of the most poignant, magnificent moments of her life. “The impression, the indelible mark that moment left in my heart, my mind, and my soul, it was a glimpse into seeing our people free,” she said to The Final Call.
She added that it is even more special to commemorate that moment in the city where she was born. As a little girl growing up in Georgia, she remembers seeing racism and feeling like it was wrong and unfair.
To commemorate the Million Man March “in the city of my birth, that has been one of the most racist states in the United States of America, and for us to be a reminder to all who see here in Georgia that the fight continues; that the March continues; that the themes and principles of the Million Man March is still alive and well,” she said.
Student M.G.T. Captain Dr. Nusaybah tied the upcoming commemoration to the blessing Atlanta received when Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan purchased a building to serve as the new regional headquarters for the Southern Region.
“Because of the work that we are striving to do, we believe that Allah is blessing our city, our mosque and our region to be able to not only host such a special and significant event in our nation’s history, but in the world’s history,” she said.
She described the excitement of some of the pastors who were part of Atlanta’s 1995 Local Organizing Committee for the Million Man March. “It’s been a family reunion and so everyone is in the spirit and the excitement of commemorating and remembering that special day,” she said.
Student Regional Protocol Director Saabirah Muhammad said that leading up to the 31st anniversary in Atlanta, “The spirit has been very high.”
“The believers in the region, oh, we’re ready!” she added.
This year’s event will start on Friday, Oct. 9, with a Jumu’ah (congregational) prayer service at The American Hotel in the Goldstein Ballroom, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
On Saturday, October 10, the day will start with a family day at Rodney Cook, Sr. Park, Vine Street, NW, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For the children, there will be face painting, storytelling, inflatables and more.
There will also be games for adults. Food trucks will be available for attendees to purchase delicious cuisine. A mobile health unit will be on the ground conducting prostate cancer screenings.
“To start off with congregational prayer, I think this is one of the most powerful ways that you start any event, going to Allah God,” Student M.G.T. Captain Dr. Nusaybah said. The Million Man March inspired people to go back to their cities and join organizations, adopt Black children and other positive and uplifting actions.
For the culminating event on Sunday, Oct. 11, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has a message with the theme, “Atonement, Reconciliation and Responsibility” that will be delivered by his Student National Assistant, Minister Ishmael Muhammad, at the Georgia World Congress Center, located at 285 Andrew Young International Blvd.
The Sunday program will begin at 2:00 p.m. Doors open at 12:00 noon. The program will also be streamed live on noi.org.
The Southern Regional laborers expect a sold-out venue. While $25 donation tickets and $100 donation tickets are no longer available, $50 donation tickets are still available.
The Nation of Islam looks forward to a beautiful commemoration of the 1995 Million Man March and Holy Day of Atonement. “All I can say, all eyes and all roads lead to Atlanta, Georgia,” said Sister Saabirah. For more information and for tickets, visit https://noi.org/hdoa2026/.
