CHICAGO—The Nation of Islam’s annual Saviours’ Day convention kicked off Friday, Feb. 21 with an opening plenary session at Mosque Maryam, themed, “A Saviour is Born.” Saviours’ Day commemorates the Birth Anniversary of Master Fard Muhammad.
Allah (God) in Person and The Great Mahdi born on February 26, 1877, in the Holy City of Mecca. The opening plenary session set the tone for the memorable weekend held on the grounds of The National Center, the headquarters of the Nation of Islam.
Featured speakers were students in the ministry class of the Nation of Islam including Student Minister Jeffrey Muhammad of Chicago, Student Minister Daniel Muhammad of Chicago, Student Minister Sultan Muhammad of Grand Rapids, Michigan;
Western Regional Student Minister Abdul Malik Sayyid Muhammad, Student Minister Nuri Muhammad of Indianapolis and Sister Marcia Muhammad of Chicago.
Each speaker emphasized the significance of Saviours’ Day, especially the love of Master Fard Muhammad and evidence of His pure love for them and Black people.
The panelists also highlighted the transformative power of the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad under the guidance of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
In Arabic, the term “Fard” means “duty” or “obligation.” Master Fard Muhammad came by Himself from the Holy Land to seek and save a people who had lost the knowledge of themselves.
The name “Fard” also means one who is alone, working something out themself, Student Min. Sultan explained. “We must remember that He came alone so that we would not have to be alone, that he would be with us,” stated Student Min. Sultan.
The panelists also discussed the importance of faith, prayer, and self-discipline in overcoming personal struggles and societal challenges.
They shared testimonies of experiences of transformation through adherence to the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad under the leadership and example of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
The root of both men is Master Fard Muhammad who came to restore Black people from 400 years of servitude slavery, explained Student Min. Abdul Malik Sayyid.
Think about a people who lost their name, knowledge, language, and culture and were physically beaten by the White man, he said.
The more he nurses on The Teachings and goes to the root of what Master Fard Muhammad taught, Student Min. Abdul Malik Sayyid explained the power contained in them. He said the White man put fear into Black people, so we acted in fear.
Master Fard Muhammad’s perfect love and His Teachings started casting out fear and changing the makeup of the Black man, who became a new people, he continued. Student Min. Abdul Malik Sayyid also reflected on the 148th Birth Anniversary of Master Fard Muhammad and the 44th Saviours’ Day commemoration under the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
He encouraged the audience to not just cheer on Minister Farrakhan, but to reflect on his example in their work in their communities. “May Allah bless us with a Happy Saviours’ Day as we go back and press the Muslim reset button!”
Sister Marcia Muhammad highlighted the role of women in the Nation of Islam and the importance of righteously rearing their children. Sister Marcia outlined the Seven Training Units that Master Fard Muhammad gave to the Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class (M.G.T. and G.C.C.), who are the women of the Nation of Islam.
Those training units are: how to keep house, how to rear their children, how to take care of their husbands, sew, cook, and how to act at home and abroad.
“I’m learning all that I need to know to be a woman of righteousness that I will become that which Master Fard Muhammad came 9,000 miles to make,” she said, referring to the training unit regarding sewing.
Sis. Marcia also spoke about the importance of the proper preparing of food as taught by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad in “How to Eat to Live,” books one and two.
She shared a personal testimony of transformation through The Teachings which bear witness to what Master Fard Muhammad gave us.
“He (Master Fard Muhammad) gave us this class to save us. He gave us this class to rebuild us. He gave us this class to make a new world,” she said.
The Coming of Master Fard Muhammad is the greatest demonstration of His love for us, Student Min. Nuri Muhammad said. He also discussed the power of prayer in seeking refuge in Allah.
He delved into the role of the Messiah in the current time and the importance of belief in him. When Master Fard Muhammad came, He “hand-picked every last one of us,” Student Min. Nuri said, referring to what our late Brother Minister Jabril Muhammad taught.
“When you’re in the grocery store hand-picking something, you are putting careful consideration into this. You are looking at the way it looks, the way it feels, the way it smells.
You’re looking at the color of it, the size of it,” he said. “You are looking for something to carry out a specific function and purpose. Student Min. Nuri added.
Student Min. Daniel cited “Message to the Black Man in America,” by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, to underscore the importance of faith in Allah in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad.
He also read in part some of the opening welcome letter from the Nation of Islam Shura Executive Council regarding obedience to and faith in Allah (God) in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad.
He emphasized the Saviours’ Day message to be received by all on Sunday, Feb. 23 titled: “Repent, For The Kingdom of God is at Hand.”
“Whether you know it or not, He’s (Allah’s) watching us. He’s watching our affairs. He’s watching His servants among us. He’s watching you as a believer.
He’s watching each and every one of us because He is the Saviour. He is intervening and personally concerned about every brother and sister in this mighty Nation of Islam,” Student Min. Daniel said.
Before concluding with questions and answers from the audience at Mosque Maryam, Student Min. Jeffrey Muhammad shared a personal story of gaining belief and faith in Allah.
After the passing of his mother when he was a young man, he took to himself and asked Master Fard Muhammad to prove Himself, whether he should follow Him or not.
Three times, a song with the lyrics, “This is it. Make no mistake where you are,” came on, despite Student Min. Jeffrey turning the radio dial three separate times.
“I have borne witness since that day that that beautiful, blessed Man proved Himself to me and I will praise Him forever,” he said.