DETROIT—The temperature in Detroit, Michigan, dipped into the low 20s on Saturday, Feb. 24, but hundreds of women fought the cold and showed up at 6:30 a.m. for a high-spirited M.G.T. and G.C.C. class. This special class, which stands for Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class, occurs every Saturday in cities around the world. But during the annual Saviours’ Day Convention, all of these classes unified into one.
“It was absolutely amazing. It was full of energy. It was full of life,” said Sister Naima X from Rialto, Calif. “It’s exceptional. It’s tenfold. It goes to the next level because we’re sisters all over different cities, not just our city, and it just shows our unity. … It just magnifies our class.”
The agenda kicked off by paying tribute to the Mothers of the Faithful, who are trailblazing women who suffered and sacrificed in the establishment of the Nation of Islam. Student East Coast Regional M.G.T. Captain Johnna Muhammad honored Mother Marie Muhammad, the mother of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
At seven years old, Mother Marie had a dream she would give birth to a son with great power and divine presence that would change the course of human affairs, Sister Johnna told the audience. When she told her family of the dream, they advised her to name him Elijah.
“She had a strong demeanor and a powerful sense of presence,” Sister Johnna said.
Student Southwestern Regional M.G.T. Captain Maalikah Muhammad honored Mother Sumayyah Farrakhan, the mother of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
She expressed that she was a woman of immense strength and made no excuses. As the Minister grew up, Mother Sumayyah told him, “When you’re wrong you can’t be strong, but when you’re right, you can always fight.”
More Mothers of the Faithful were honored, including wives of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad: Mother Clara, Mother Ola, Mother Evelyn and Mother Tynnetta. The honorees concluded with Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, the First Lady of the Nation of Islam and wife of Minister Farrakhan.
This year, sisters from across the Nation were recognized during an award’s ceremony.
Sister Stephanie Muhammad from Cincinnati, Ohio, received the charitable contribution award.
“I just really appreciate Sister Student National Captain Naeemah for even doing something like this … to mention the sisters,” she said. “The award itself was very pretty and it had my name on it and I was just like, wow, all Praise is due to Allah!”
Student National M.G.T. Captain Naeemah Muhammad concluded the class by inspiring the sisters to be the standard bearers of the Nation.
“M.G.T —we must be like the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan,” she said. “We must be like he was and is to the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.”
She encouraged them to be the women that Allah (God), Who came in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad, desires for them to be, and to fight for the success of the Nation.
“We must be the defenders of Farrakhan. We must be the defenders of truth,” she said.
