CHICAGO—Muhammad University of Islam’s (MUI) 2022 graduation ceremony was held at Mosque Maryam, the National Center of the Nation of Islam in Chicago.
The five graduates were all accepted into a college or university with scholarships totaling $1,361,081.
This year’s valedictorian Sister Tamia X, who is a registered member of the Nation of Islam, stated, “Attending Muhammad University of Islam after attending a public school, brought relief, peace to myself. I was able to embrace myself as a Muslim. I’m attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with a major in architecture. I have always had a love for architecture, when I was a little girl, I would always study houses and wonder how they were built,” she said.
“I grew up in the projects, and they were comprised of run-down apartments, so I always wanted to fix them up,” Sister Tamia continued. “Insha’Allah (God willing), that is what I am going to do, along with other low-income homes. I also have plans to build a Nation of Islam-affiliated college.”
Brother Isaiah Muhammad, 14, is the youngest graduate and one of the scholarship recipients from the Brother Khalil Muhammad Foundation.
“I’m ready to start college,” Brother Isaiah said. “I will be attending Chicago State University with a major in engineering. I met a lot of good friends at Muhammad University, all the teachers were great, and I established good relationships with everyone there.”
His parents were overjoyed by his accomplishments.
“Having a son graduate high school at 14 years old is exciting and nerve-racking at the same time,” said Zoraida Muhammad, mother of Isaiah. “We are so proud, and we thank Sister Shahidah and Muhammad University for blessing us and providing us with this wonderful opportunity.”
Student Minister Daniel Muhammad, father of Isaiah, said, “We are so proud of Isaiah. He had a great foundation that was laid by Sister Shahidah at her school, Muhammad Mathematics Science and Engineering Academy. That provided a great base. When he transferred to Muhammad University, he was able to accelerate. We thank Allah who appeared in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad for giving us the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan because without that base we would not have this opportunity.”
Muhammad University of Islam’s interim-Director Talib Ul-Hikmah Karriem emphasized to the graduates that by keeping with their foundation of the teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan they will be able to successfully navigating through college.
Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, National Assistant to Minister Farrakhan, stated, “Always remember those who helped you to get to where you are; you always need somebody. You will always need someone to help you to get to where you want to go in life. The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad told the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, ‘that one day he would reach the pinnacle of success in this world’s life. Then he said, Brother I hope you won’t forget who brought you there.’ So always be grateful and thankful to each and every one who has come into your life.”
Student Minister Dr. Wesley Muhammad, a researcher, author and Nation of Islam national laborer, also addressed the graduates.
Brother Leon Muhammad, father of graduate Qiyamah Muhammad, told The Final Call she is the third of their children to attend MUI. “Qiyamah is our third child that graduated from Muhammad University. They all started their schooling at Muhammad University, and now she’s the third one that will be attending DePaul University here in Chicago. Qiyamah’s major is behavioral psychiatry. She really likes to look at the aspects of why human beings are doing what they’re doing, and what can be done to help,” said Brother Leon Muhammad.
“Muhammad University is God’s school. I have peace of mind when I drop my children off and I don’t have to worry about anything; they’re protected. I think that’s the most important thing for parents is to have a peace of mind when their children are away from them and knowing that there’s prayer and God would be taught, and that they will get their true history,” he added.
Dr. Dennis Garrett, executive director of Creating Health and Medical Pathways for Scholars (CHAMPS), received a certificate of appreciation for his work with some of the students at MUI at the July 14 graduation.
“Our program CHAMPS mentors high school students in the field of dentistry, veterinarian, doctors, teachers,” Dr. Garrett said. “Working with Muhammad University students versus other students is refreshing. These students display high character and focus.”
Sister Kasima Muhammad teaches science to grades 6-12 at MUI and she said: “Teaching from our perspective is extremely important because even the science books are tainted with the sting of White supremacy. Science, as well as engineering, should not be intimidating. These subjects should be something that’s natural to you. I was proud to see this beautiful group of students graduate and they were under unique circumstances for two years, at the height of the pandemic, which meant remote learning.”
