“And the word of thy Lord has been accomplished truly and justly. There is none who can change His words; and He is the Hearer, the Knower. And If thou obey most of those in the earth, they will lead thee astray from Allah’s way. They follow naught but conjecture, and they only lie.” —Holy Qur’an, Surah 6, verses 115-116
Writing in his two volume quincentennial edition of the History of Bimini, Professor and Educator, Ashley B. Saunders, also known to others as the, “Gatekeeper of the Secrets of Atlantis,” introduces the subject of Atlantis similarly as most books on Atlantis with the only known literary account given by Plato in his two Socratic Dialogues, “Timaeus” and “Critias” dating back to approximately 300 B.C. The particulars about how the subject of Atlantis is reported comes from a conversation between Solon (a Greek statesman and student) and certain Egyptian priests at Sais. Atlantis is described as a huge island existing in about 10,000 B.C. with an ideal government and advanced agriculture, and elaborate system of canals and bridges, opulent temples with ceilings of ivory and roofs of gold. It was ruled by Poseidan (Neptune) and his ten sons, including Atlas. The Kingdom threatened to overwhelm Europe. Then its people grew corrupt and the island was violently destroyed by volcanoes.
This remarkable story has remained in memory for generations down the line of time from Plato’s story of Atlantis. It is as if Atlantis is alive leading to another fulfillment of prophecy in our modern time. What was the “New” that my son, Rasul, was referring to when he addressed our small group of travelers as we took off for the small island of Bimini? Why has this small and seemingly inconspicuous island, located 50 miles off the coast of Florida, been looked upon with so much foreboding, yet has attracted so many explorers, scientists, famous Game fishermen, famous authors, writers and leaders in all professions, as well as students? What are they searching for–a long, lost memory or the Reality of a secret that has been hidden in the bosom of the Bermuda Triangle?
Let us continue with the reflections written by Chaava Muhammad on her insights visiting Bimini.
In San Andros, we were blessed to meet original Black Seminole Indians who were absolutely beautiful. Their humble living quarters were extremely meek, however, they made the most beautiful straw hats and baskets that are now famous worldwide, showing me that no matter how poor you may appear to be, Allah gives you resources from the earth that you can make something out of nothing.
Another first for me came from our gracious host, Mrs. Antoinette Rolle, who has been hosting Mother Tynnetta’s visits to the island for nearly 13 years. She explained to us that Bimini imports all of their food and that if the boats did not come in for two weeks, they would be in a major food crisis. Our team member, Sister Melody Muhammad from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, had just graduated from the Growing Power course in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the guidance of The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan; and it brought so much joy to my heart to hear her share her knowledge with the brothers and sisters in Bimini on the Hoop House, composting and worm castings. Everywhere we went on the island, she shared the information and the people were happy and asked questions on steps they could take to further the island’s quest in being self-sufficient. Although we were there to find the “New,” it brought me back to the adage, it’s better to give than to receive and I watched my sister giving so freely.
Brother Ashley Saunders native of Bimini and builder of the Dolphin House which is a beautiful edifice, on the line of a sacred temple made from the resources and refuse of the island, who is known as the “Gatekeeper” of Atlantis, shared with us the lesson of the Great Atlantean Civilization. He shared that we are to learn from their past mistakes which caused their demise by using powerful energy and resources for destructive purposes.
My final and greatest first experience was being lowered into the vast blue deep ocean. Not being a skilled swimmer and never having been in the deep ocean waters, I was quite intimidated. With help and coaxing and a fitted life jacket, the captain of our boat helped me off of the boat into the water where another team member, Brother Fred Muhammad, guided me on how to lay on my back and float. After a few moments, the fear dissipated and I laid there as relaxed as a log looking up into the heavens and floating wherever the ocean took me. I was truly at peace.
In the next moment I looked out and saw that I was a considerable distance from the boat that was not in my safety zone. I began to panic and fear set in. I wondered how I would make my way back to the boat when I couldn’t swim. I suddenly heard the voices of my team members yelling directions and telling me not to panic; I had the life jacket on which was holding me above water, but in my wild, panicky movements, my head suddenly slipped under water and I gasped tasting the salt water in my mouth and clogging my nostrils. In that moment it became clear to me if you don’t get it together and follow sound guidance, you are going to die in the Bimini waters.
The voice of team member, Sister Wanda Muhammad, from Atlanta, Georgia, became clear and distinct to me as she guided me saying turn on your stomach and use your arms from side to side, kick your feet, my eyes were closed and I only followed her voice. As I got closer to the voice, I opened my eyes and still the boat was not in reach, but I saw the captain throw the rope out so that I could reach it and be pulled in. When I finally got back on the boat and watched the Captain pull the anchor out of the water, I realized that the boat had not left me; I was the one who had floated away.
The Beauty of Allah’s Majesty was answered in our prayers for the Dolphins to come and greet us. Just as our captains were going to call it quits, they came, families of them, playfully jumping out of the water and swimming alongside our boats. Team member, Sister Julia Muhammad from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was the first to spot them. I remembered as we walked through the rainforest of Mexico, the butterflies landed on her and walked a great distance perched in the palm of her hands.
On our final day, we had our formal Mxodus business meeting and more than ever I came to understand that Mxodus is much more than a company doing business in the old world of business. It is something new, patterned after the Exodus program given to us by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. It’s about loving one another and sharing our gifts and a product at home and abroad so that we may all be survivors in the New Kingdom of Allah.
“Surely thy Lord–He knows best who goes astray from His way, and He knows best the guided ones. Eat, then, of that on which Allah’s name has been mentioned, if you are believers in His messages. And what reason have you that you should not eat of that on which Allah’s name is mentioned, when He has already made plain to you what He has forbidden to you–excepting that which you are compelled to. And surely many lead (people) astray by their low desires through ignorance. Surely thy Lord–He best knows the transgressors.” —Holy Qur’an, Surah 6, verses 117-119
To be continued.
