by West Muhammad
BALTIMORE—For the second time this year, the F.O.I. reconvened in another city— this one being the very special city of Baltimore, Maryland. Muhammad Mosque No. 6 welcomed F.O.I. (Fruit of Islam, the men of the Nation of Islam) from various regions to the city and made the brothers feel at home on their stop.
Starting off the day with a bang, brothers, donning blue suits, gold bowties and welcoming smiles from D.C., New York, New Jersey, Detroit, Atlanta, Virginia, and countless other cities and states deployed into the streets of Baltimore eager to do the work the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and his National Representative,
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, have dedicated their lives to—resurrecting the mentally dead. More than 135 F.O.I. engaged with the community on May 24, by knocking on doors, entering businesses, and even speaking with men and women who slowed traffic to see what the men were doing.
“It felt good seeing all Blacks together like this. I ain’t seen this in a while,” Alvin, 69, said as he smiled at the men who made their way onto his block.
Baltimore has been very successful in the number of first-time guests attending a Sunday mosque meeting following a Saviours’ Tour and many the F.O.I. were excited to recreate or exceed those previous numbers.
Men and women, young and old, were intrigued by the brothers’ distinguished uniforms and asked questions about their mission.
For another stop in the city, the brothers went to McCulloh Homes, a neighborhood notorious for gang violence yet famous for its appearance on the hit TV show “The Wire.”
Hundreds of Final Call newspapers and flyers to Muhammad Mosque No. 6 were handed out to the community, some of which made their way into the hands of Zyren, 26, a father of two toddlers who was happy and excited about the Saviours’ Tour stopping at his doorstep.
“It felt good that all of you could come together and just do this. … It’s definitely important just to have older role models, older Black people just to lead and guide the young ones,” he said while holding his two children in his arms.
Serving as an example of “obedience, cooperative strength, and discipline,” the brothers held small drill exhibitions on each stop where a large number of onlookers were gathered to witness.
Brothers in the community of Cherry Hill, joined in alongside the men and were saluted by F.O.I., standing at attention
“We love our people, is that right?” Brother Alton Muhammad of Muhammad Mosque No. 7 affirmed. Traveling up and down the same streets where hard drugs and violence occur, the F.O.I. had no fear entering the community and gently and encouragingly welcomed young men and boys to walk alongside them.
A young resident named Kishawn, 22, took notice. He shared that he was previously incarcerated and became familiar with and accepted Islam while locked up. “… I was just so intrigued with y’all’s way and how y’all carry things.
So, I felt as though it would be a good thing for me, but me becoming Muslim, a lot of great things [have] happened for me …” he said.
Kishawn explained how, although he accepted the Teachings while incarcerated, his faith remains stronger than ever, seeing examples like the F.O.I right outside his home.
The M.G.T. and G.C.C. (Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class, the women of the N.O.I.) of Muhammad Mosque No. 6 served meals to the brothers as a token of their appreciation for soldiering in the community that day.
Commenting about the wonderful journey they had just embarked on, Jr. F.O.I., Bro. Jabril Muhammad, 10, advised other young men to take part in future tours.
On the following Sunday, the lecture was held at Muhammad Mosque No. 6, where Brother Abdul Salaam Muhammad serves as Student Minister and Student Imam.
Brothers Leonard, Tariq, and Alton Muhammad joined Student First Officer Isaiah Muhammad in delivering the Sunday message titled “Our Saviour Has Arrived. Will You Answer the Call?” They presented to more than 270 guests, 47 of whom were visiting the mosque for the first time.
The next stop will be in Detroit, Michigan, on June 17.
Brother West Muhammad attends Mosque No. 6 in Baltimore. He is 15 years old, a student at Coppin State University and is a co-host on the weekly podcast WHID-FM, “What Has Islam Done For Me?”
F.O.I. bring love to streets of Baltimore