Community disaster preparedness seminar hosted in Chicago

By Tariqah Shakir-Muhammad -Final Call Newspaper- | Last updated: Jan 10, 2019 - 9:44:40 AM

Materials on disaster preparation. Photo: Tariqah-Shakir Muhammad

CHICAGO—With continuous weather disasters stemming from hurricanes, wild fires, snow storms, heavy rain and floods that affect thousands of people, the question to ask is: Are you prepared?

A’ishah Muhammad delivers remarks

Nation of Islam Student National Auditing Department coordinator A’ishah Muhammad and staff organized a second Disaster Preparedness Seminar early December to address proper preparation for medical, weather and public emergencies as well as proper treatment for injuries and medical conditions.

Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad briefly introduced the four-hour seminar to dozens of guests about the importance of disaster preparedness.

“Those of you who are familiar with the words of Jesus, he spoke about a time that would come that we would be visited with pestilence and famines and earthquakes in various places. “Then he said, ‘these pastures are just the beginning of sorrows’ as if that wasn’t enough,” Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad stated. “And so knowing what to do under those stressful circumstances is very important to our survival.”

The seminar was divided by workshops that expanded on topics including handling emotional upsets and injury, preparation for riots, managing chronic conditions and safety during an active shooting.

“I encourage all of us that will benefit from the workshops that have been prepared for us that you are not necessarily safe in your home in taking all of the necessary precautions, safety measures and the storage of food in the time of trouble if you don’t prepare your neighbor,” Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad continued.

“We should look at inviting our neighbors on our blocks and share with them what we have learned so that we can better secure the neighborhood and the block where we live,” he added.

Presenters provided information on various aspects of disaster preparedness. Photos: Haroon Rajaee

Emanuel Muhammad and his wife, Kayeonitaye Muhammad hosted the active shooting workshop.

“We just want to bring a little creativity to a world in which, hopefully, we’re prepared if and when that happens [and] we’ll know what to do,” explained Emanuel Muhammad.

The workshop featured training on how to respond, fight, hide and/or flee in the given scenario.

Attendees also participated in Q&A sessions and were enthusiastic about the range of information provided.

One of the instructors for “Preparing Now for the Disrupting of Services,” Alva Muhammad wanted confidence and knowledge instilled in participants for any potential disaster.

“I think disaster preparedness is an important topic for all of us because we know that it’s only a matter of time until the things that we see happening on the evening news start happening where we are,” she stated.

“Our people need to be ready to stay safe, to stay in our homes and to be ready to rebuild when the time comes.”

For more information on disaster preparedness and to download a free PDF of preparedness tips, visit finalcall.com.

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