Enlightenment from God’s guided and anointed servant

By The Final Call | Last updated: Mar 4, 2020 - 10:35:40 AM

CHICAGO—Though the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan mounted the rostrum at Mosque Maryam at Nation of Islam headquarters in Chicago in front of a standing room only crowd, his passionate message was broadcast around the country via internet webcast to Nation of Islam mosques and study groups. His message was also translated in real time in French.

Overflow audience in Chicago views program in Muhammad University of Islam gymnasium adjacent to Mosque Maryam.

Rapt audiences, some seeing and listening to the Minister for the first time, tuned in as he delivered Part 2 of his Saviours’ Day message on March 1 titled, “Jesus Is The Key.”

Fresh ears tuned into the teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad at Muhammad Mosque No. 29 in Miami as Min. Farrakhan addressed the world. Inetha Carmichael was invited to the mosque by her daughter-in-law. Sunday, March 1 was her first time attending.

“I like it, it was pretty good,” she said. “To me, this was different. I wish a lot of preachers preached like that, telling you the truth. I liked today. I’m glad I came out.” Ms. Carmichael said she believes the Black community needs to hear the message.

“It would open up some Black people’s eyes,” she said. “We are sleep, you know. We need to wake up. There’s too much going on. We need to get up.”

Claxton Copeland-El Jr., a member of the Moorish Science Temple in Baltimore, Md. since 2016, came to the Miami mosque with his wife and two children. He previously met members of the Fruit of Islam (FOI, the men of the nation of Islam) and was invited to the meeting.

He said he came in an effort to “close the gap” and “tighten the links between the two Islamic schools of thought”.

“We are the same, but for some reason, people have created divisions among us,” he expressed.

He said he was focused on the Minister’s message about unity. “He’s actually on point about what’s happening in the world and we really need to pay attention to how we are to unify ourselves,” he said. His wife, Shandreka, said the message was inspirational.

“The part that touched me the most was when he was talking about Jesus was the key and I really touched bases with that because a lot of people misunderstand the prophet and his teachings so that was really, really significant to me,” she said.

Timothy Martin also attended the Miami mosque for the first time on Sunday. He’s heard Min. Farrakhan speak before. He said each time he hears his voice; he makes sure to pay attention.

He said the Minister enlightened him about the Bible.

“A lot of things about who Jesus was, and who Elijah Muhammad was,” he said. “There’s a similar comparison because the Bible always recycles itself. It’s a spiritual guidance for mankind, but it’s also how you receive it and who you’re receiving it from.”

The weather was beautiful in Tampa, Fla. as believers, friends and supporters flocked to Muhammad Tampa Study Group to hear and see the Minister for themselves. Between taking copious notes, cheering him on and sometimes even found crying, there wasn’t any doubt that the presence, message and countenance of the Minister left an indelible impression.

One of several takeaways was offered by 88-year-old, Minister Willie G. Dixon aka William Adlee Abdullah. A cherished activist and supporter of the Nation of Islam and the Tampa community said he was reminded as to just how much our spiritual houses cannot get past the issues of race.

“Love Jesus they say, but hate the Black man,” Mr. Abdullah reflected with The Final Call. He added that much of the hatred exercised against Blacks has been basically licensed with the election of President Donald J Trump. Even with all, of the manifest evils the activist said, the main take away from the Minister’s message is, “to stay strong and to walk in faith.”

“When the Minister mentioned Kobe’s (Bryant) immortality, it is a great example for us to work and to make an impact in life,” noted Tyrone H. Muhammad student assistant coordinator of Tampa Study Group. “Also, at the end of his message when he said, ‘stay strong, stay together’ and that our unity going forward,” is the key he said.

Message taken to heart in the South

Min. Farrakhan unlocked the minds of those who listened at Muhammad Mosque No. 15 in Atlanta, which serves as the NOI’s Southern Regional Headquarters. A large crowd viewed the enlightening message. First-time visitors, registered members of the NOI, and brothers and sisters of different ages testified to the empowering words of the Minister.

Audience views message via internet webcast in St. Louis, Mo.

Dominique Elder, 27, bore witness that the Minister’s message taught him things that he was once unaware of. “He spoke a lot of truth about our history. He talked about things that I didn’t know,” said Mr. Elder. “One thing that I took from the lecture is when Minister Farrakhan said that we create storms in our life and we can’t hide from the storms that we create. I took that to heart.”

DeBrosia Griffin, 57, explained the fullness she attained from listening to the Minister speak. “I was really inspired by the Minister’s message,” Ms. Griffin stated. “Minister Farrakhan means a lot to me; he is the first Minister I heard to wake me up to the truth of who I am as a respectable woman,” she explained.

“The message today confirmed what I know of the truth about Jesus, the truth of the God in Minister Farrakhan, and the timing of when Jesus was here and the timing of the message that Minister Farrakhan has given to us today.”

Demarco Lewis, 39, a visitor who said it was his first time ever being exposed to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad said of Minister Louis Farrakhan, “What will we do when our leader is not physically with us?” Mr. Lewis raised the question: “Will we still be able to produce the love that is required of us as little gods?”

First-time guest, Nicole Hughley, 36, said, “Minister Farrakhan’s message reinforced the things going on today and how real Jesus is.”

Young and old enjoyed the Minister’s webcast in Macon, Ga. Zakiyyah Muhammad, a 24-year-old college graduate, gravitated to the Minister’s words on Jesus. “It was a very spiritually-filled lecture in that the Minister basically gave us who the Jesus is and what he represents. He is the Jesus, and he represents that Jesus,” she said.

She said if people just looked at the work Min. Farrakhan has done, the fruit that he has borne and the way he has affected the common man and woman, then they would understand.

“I just hope that we as followers of him study more, grasp more and build our own faith, as he said, so when the time comes when they do attack him and when the Judas is revealed and when he has to be taken from us and he has to go do what he has to go do, we will be strengthened in our faith,” she said.

Her 14-year-old brother, Sulaiman Muhammad, thought the lecture was inspiring. “I feel like Allah (God) actually talked to me,” he said.

Illuminating the East and West Coasts

Excitement and anticipation for Min. Farrakhan’s message filled the sanctuary of Muhammad Mosque No.7, East Coast Regional Headquarters of the NOI. “The message of building your faith, personally, had a profound impact on me” stated Makeda Iroquois Johnson. “I was in Detroit for Saviours’ Day last week and I knew I needed to hear the Minister speak today on Part 2,” she explained.

“Though I have family in the Nation this is my second Saviours’ Day. My first one was years ago when I was 15 years old. Part 2 was very essential for me to hear,” she added, “because on my journey to become better in my faith and to realize that I can’t waiver knowing that I must keep my light on was clear to me.”

She continued, “Jesus being the key is important to understand. Some people think they know who Jesus is and are wondering why their doors are not opening for them because they don’t have the right keys.”

Aliceia Lomax, 46 stated, “Minister Farrakhan’s message today, ‘Jesus is the Key,’ is all about love. I like the message about reading the bible to know the truth, so when you hear it you know that its truth.”

In the “City by the Bay” at Muhammad Mosque No. 6 in Baltimore, the crowd was electric with excitement to hear the Minister. Bertheina Allison, a native of Baltimore has been coming to hear the Minister for years. She told The Final Call, “This speech was very representative of the whole truth. Some people may go back and forth about him but when I come here, I feel relieved to hear what he has to say. Minister Farrakhan brings things to light. Some things people don’t understand because it might be their first time hearing him but in my 77 years, I’m reliving some of his words and they make a lot of sense to me.”

David Cunningham, a city employee came to view the webcast with his aunt and was very impressed. He told The Final Call, “The Minister represents the best of Black manhood. He is brave and bold. He shows the courage every Black man wishes he had and the boldness every Black man wants at the right time. When he was talking about the pain he endured I just wanted to cry for him. He’s gone through so much just to give a word of truth for us.”

Denise Wilson viewed the program at Muhammad Mosque No. 27 in Los Angeles which serves as Western Region Headquarters of the NOI. “I appreciate the Minister’s message and I most definitely took it in, and know that I am a god and I need to live like that,” said Ms. Wilson who joined the Nation of Islam’s processing class to learn more about the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad six weeks ago.

The former Africana Studies major said she believed when she first heard Min Farrakhan, so she began attending the mosque. The mother of a 14-year-old and twin 4-year-olds attended Sunday’s message in Los Angeles with one of her twins. “It’s the truth and I began to study more!”

“I haven’t been here in years, and I enjoyed the lecture today. It was very helpful,” said Joe Cupid, who learned about the message via the internet.

“He said so much, so much! What touched bases is he mentioned his health, and he’s been through so much and he’s still going strong. It lets me know if I got a little ache and pain here and there, I mean, if I see this man fighting for our people, it’s nothing for me to do what I need to do for myself,” said Mr. Cupid.

In the presence of God’s man

Laniel Hill is from Atlanta and viewed the program live from Mosque Maryam. “This is my first time at Mosque No. 2 and I really enjoyed it. It was enlightening. It was a lot to take in so I’m eager to get back and listen to the teaching and the Minister. What was very impactful to me was the teachings we are learning of who he is,” he said.

“When you’re in the presence of a man of God you sometimes you just get overwhelmed. To actually be just six rows from him and really have a chance to be awakened in a sense. It was just an excellent time and an excellent experience. It was something that I will always take with me for the rest of my life. It’s life changing.”

Jesse Taylor, passionately expressed his gratitude for Min. Farrakhan touching his life. “It was magnificent, and it was everything I was looking for and then some. He has touched my soul in such a way, and I haven’t been the same since,” explained Mr. Taylor.

“I came home from prison in 2016, and the word of his teachings have been drawing me everywhere he goes. I can’t get enough of his words. I’m from Chicago, but I reside in Ohio right now. He’s been like a second father to me. I appreciate his whole being, for being in existence,” he continued.

“I wouldn’t be in front of you right now if it wasn’t for Farrakhan. He has changed my life. I have a lot to grow and he’s taking me on a journey and I’m not going to stop following him until I die.”

J.A. Salaam reported from Chicago; Eric Ture Muhammad from Tampa, Fla.; J.S. Adams from Miami; Azizah Muhammad from Atlanta, Anisah Muhammad from Macon, Ga.; Nisa Islam Muhammad from Baltimore; Daleel Jabir Muhammad from New York and Charlene Muhammad from Los Angeles.

The Final Call