A special night with the Farrakhan Family at the UniverSoul Circus

By Tariqah Shakir-Muhammad -Final Call Newspaper- | Last updated: Nov 20, 2019 - 9:08:48 AM

(Center, middle row) Mustapha Farrakhan, his wife Karen Farrakhan, along with their daughters Shaheerah, Nafeesah, Jamillah, their husbands and grandchildren, friends and relatives all enjoyed UniverSoul Circus.

CHICAGO—It was a night full of love and joy and one to remember as the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, his wife Mother Khadijah Farrakhan and members of their family accompanied the beloved students of Muhammad University to a Nov. 11 performance of the UniverSoul Circus.

(top) The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, his wife Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, enjoy UniverSoul circus performances. (bottom) Fatimah and Kamal Muhammad, along with family and friends, prepare to leave after attending UniverSoul Circus.

The UniverSoul Circus is known for its astounding performances and features diverse, international performers from at least 24 different countries including South Africa, Jamaica, Brazil and Russia. Founded by Cedric Walker in 1994, the Univer-Soul Circus has been awing audiences for 25 years across the nation as a contemporary Black-owned and operated circus.

The Farrakhan family and MUI students enjoyed luxury bus rides to the show inside a Washington Park tent.

Khadijah Muhammad, who just turned 17, was full of joy as she boarded the bus. “I feel excited to go to the UniverSoul Circus!” she said. When she found out that Minister Farrakhan and family were going her face lit up.

“I get to see him up close! That’s cool and exciting. This is the best birthday gift I could ever ask for,” she said.

“We’re going to have so much fun, we’re going to turn it up,” said Khallada Farrakhan after speaking with the students boarding the bus. “We’re supposed to have fun, our children are supposed to see us having fun.”

Faces brightened even more, and spirits were lifted once the buses arrived and guests made their way to their seats.

“I thank Allah for the experience and for the Minister for sponsoring our tickets for us to have some fun in the community and as a Nation,” said Madinah Muhammad, 18, a former MUI student. “I really appreciate it and I’m having a lot of fun.”

On the topic of having good, righteous fun, Madinah Muhammad said the Nation of Islam has plenty of it. “We have a whole lot of fun; we do a lot. Most recently, we’ve attended different events, getting together makes us more connected as a community and that’s real good.”

MUI staff, parents and members of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s family organized and attended a fun-filled night at the UniverSoul Circus for students.

The beautiful countenance and smiles coming from the Minister and Mother Khadijah as they sat together watching the show reverberated throughout the circus tent, touching the hearts of many.

The moments were captured via Facebook Live in which thousands from across the nation were able to tune in.

“I’m having fun with my family; it’s just a good time, having fun [with] good energy,” said Aliyyah Muhammad, who is 16 and one of many grandchildren of Minister Farrakhan and Mother Khadijah. She said her favorite part of the circus were the skaters from South America.

UniverSoul is known for its astounding acts and features international performers from around the world.

“This is a great evening, we’re having a beautiful time with the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, Mother Khadijah and all the children from MUI, all coming together and having a beautiful night,” said Nejlah Muhammad.

A special feature of UniverSoul Circus is their constant engagement with audiences who oftentimes are invited to interact with performers.

“This is a very enjoyable experience,” said 25-year-old Jermaine X, who also attended MUI. “Simply just being in his [the Minister’s] presence is very moving. So far, all the performances show(ed) a great, immense amount of fearlessness; my favorite is the brother who walked backwards in mid-air like he was on the monkey bars with his feet. Never seen anything like that a day in my life.”

Jameelah Taylor, 16, another former MUI student, said her favorite performers were the Asian acrobats. She enjoyed the entire show. “It’s an honor, I’m appreciative that he [the Minister] invited us to come and hang out with him and his family. The circus is wonderful.”

As the show wound down, guests were asked to stand and repeat the Ringmaster’s Pledge which is to always honor parents, pray, say no to drugs and work hard. Lastly, all the cast members were brought on-stage to salute their nationality.

It became a night forever embedded in the history and hearts of the Nation of Islam and family.

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