CHICAGO—For the hundreds of guests who filled the beautiful and elegantly decorated gymnasium of Muhammad University of Islam on Nov. 29, it was an evening to honor a woman of faith, courage and love.
Mother Khadijah Farrakhan was born November 26, 1935, and several generations of the Farrakhan family, members of the Nation of Islam Shura Executive Council, friends and guests gathered to celebrate the 90th birth anniversary of “The Mother of the Faithful.” The celebration was also streamed online.
For those who attended the historic celebration and have been impacted by Mother Khadijah over the years, it gave them an opportunity to show their love and appreciation to a woman who has sacrificed and given so much to the mission of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and her husband, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
The Final Call interviewed several people on how Mother Khadijah has impacted them and what she means to the Nation of Islam and the world. They traveled from near and far to celebrate and honor her.
Brother Kamal Muhammad is a son of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and son-in-law of Minister Farrakhan and Mother Khadijah. He is married to their daughter, Fatima. “Mother Khadijah has brought much joy to the family because she is just a wonderful spirit.
She has been instrumental in bringing a cohesiveness to the family unit. I am so happy to be here celebrating Mother Khadijah’s 90th birth anniversary, and I wish her a hundred more,” he said.
Brother Louis Eugene Farrakhan, is a son of Brother Joshua Farrakhan and Sister Marie Muhammad Farrakhan, making him the grandson of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Mother Evelyn Muhammad, Minister Farrakhan and Mother Khadijah.
He spoke lovingly of his paternal grandmother. “Mother Khadijah is truly the Mother of the Nation of Islam. She has always been loving and has always cared about her people. I want to wish her a happy birth anniversary, and I will always love her,” he shared.
Sister Medina Muhammad traveled to the celebration from Detroit, Michigan, where the Nation of Islam was first established in the 1930s by Allah (God) in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad, The Great Mahdi.
She is the daughter of Minister John Muhammad, the brother of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Sister Burnsteen Sharrieff, the first secretary of Master Fard Muhammad. She said she first met Mother Khadijah in the early 1970s in New York. “Mother Khadijah has always been so friendly and kind, and she still radiates beauty.”
For Sister Aminah Bayyinah Muhammad, the elegance and beauty of Mother Khadijah is a quality and characteristic that is both internal and external. Sister Aminah is the administrative assistant of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and is a member of the N.O.I. Shura Executive Council.
“Mother Khadijah is a very beautiful woman inside and out. She is very humble yet strong just like her husband, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan,” she told The Final Call.
Brother Abdul Ra’uf Muhammad is the Student National Protocol Director and is also a member of the Shura Executive Council. “This is a beautiful evening to honor Mother Khadijah on her 90th birth anniversary.
We thank her for the Children’s Village during Saviours’ Day, which brought so much joy to the children. I pray that Allah (God) forever bestow His blessings upon her.”
Mother Khadijah Farrakhan’s Children’s Village is a favorite for adults and children during the Nation of Islam’s Saviours’ Day convention. Mother Khadijah loves children and desires that they have an enjoyable time at Saviours’ Day.
The Children’s Village provides educational activities, games, musical performances and gifts and much more, all provided by Mother Khadijah and the team that works to make it a success every year.
It is funded by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and Mother Khadijah. Mother Khadijah’s birth anniversary celebration also served as a fundraiser for the Children’s Village.
Final Call General Manager, Student Minister Abdul Rasul Muhammad, thanked Mother Khadijah for her service and sacrifice. “We give Allah (God) praise and thanks for the life and legacy, the hard work, and the sacrifice of the Mother of the Faithful, Mother Khadijah.
I have had 33 years of personal experience with Mother Khadijah. I was blessed to live with the Minister and Mother Khadijah for nearly 14 months. Mother Farrakhan and I have had some unique experiences, some that have changed my life. I am honored to be in attendance to celebrate the 90th birth anniversary of Mother Khadijah Farrakhan,” he said.
Student Minister Amin Muhammad of Mosque Maryam also shared his sentiments. “In every opportunity that Mother Khadijah is around a member of the Nation of Islam, she offers advice and counsel and correction, showing that she cares. She leaves the person so much better; she truly is the companion and helpmeet of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan,” said Student Min. Amin.
“I am so happy to be here to celebrate Mother Khadijah’s 90th birth anniversary,” said Student Eastern Regional Minister Arthur Muhammad of New York’s Mosque No. 7.
“Before I even knew the true beauty and bounty of Mother Khadijah, I was in awe of the grand reverence her children showed her. She is a woman of very few words but a woman of substance, royalty, and so much more. I thank Allah (God) for our Mother of the Faithful, Mother Khadijah Farrakhan,” said Student Min. Arthur.
Sister Mele Muhammad labors at The Michigan Farm and reflected on the first time she met Mother Khadijah. “I was out with my son having lunch, and my husband called me and let me know he was joining us.
However, little did I know he had a surprise guest, Mother Khadijah. That was my first time meeting her. She walked into the restaurant looking beautiful and was very sweet.”
Among the many people who traveled to the celebration from other states was Sister Waliyyah Salaam of New Jersey, the sister of legendary singer Stephanie Mills, who is a dear and close friend of the Farrakhan family. “I would like to wish Mother Khadijah the best of everything that life has to offer.
I have known Mother Khadijah for over 30 years,” she said. “My little sister, Stephanie Mills, was supposed to be here tonight, but because of the snow, she couldn’t make it. I’m looking forward to giving Mother Khadijah a warm hug. This is such a beautiful celebration.”
For those who attended the evening of elegance, their love and reverence for Mother Khadijah spoke volumes. “The woman we honor here tonight, Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, we thank Allah (God) for her, we thank her for her service to a grateful Nation of Islam. We love you, Mother Khadijah,” said Student Minister Jamil Muhammad of Northwest Arkansas.
Sister Dr. Joy 2X of North Carolina described the Nation of Islam First Lady as “a great gift and tremendous light in her life.”
“Her example of a beautiful and supportive friend, wife, mother, and teacher amongst Black women has made a lasting impact on my heart and mind. Thank you for your love, grace, and sacrifice for the growth of Allah’s (God’s) Nation of Islam.”
For more information and to support Mother Khadijah Farrakhan’s Children’s Village, visit: Childrensvillageonline.org.
(Shawntell Muhammad can be contacted at [email protected].)
