The Final Call

Allah’s Little Miracle: Zariah Muhammad Survives Shooting

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Student Min. Ishmael Muhammad embraces six-year-old Zariah Muhammad and family at Mosque Maryam on Aug. 21. Photo: Fontaine Muhammad

The crowd at the Nation of Islam flagship mosque welcomed the little girl and her family members with thunderous applause Aug. 21. She was injured during an incident in which her uncle was killed and a bullet struck her in the head and fractured her skull. She stayed in the hospital for some days but was back, bubbly and energetic, surrounded by her mother Gloria Strong and family members.

She was the 25th child under age 13 to be shot in Chicago in 2016. The shooting occurred Aug. 11 as she and other children played with water balloons on the street where she lived.

 Her 22-year-old uncle, David Mcray, was shot once in the chest and died. She was hit by a second bullet. The investigation into the shooting is still underway. Police said the uncle appeared to be the intended target.

“This is the little girl that Allah spared. This is our beautiful sister Zariah Muhammad,” said Ishmael Muhammad, who is also student assistant minister to Min. Louis Farrakhan.

“By Allah’s grace he restored my baby’s life,” said her mother. “I am very grateful that he was introduced into my life and I was able to introduce her into it and by Allah’s grace we are going to keep it going.”

“Thank you!” said the shy little girl in a booming voice.

“We will wrap our arms around you and the family. This is a great blessing from Allah. This not only speaks to the mercy of Allah but what our mission and our job is,” said Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad. Zariah’s grandfather is Peter Muhammad, a longtime active member of Mosque Maryam.