Islam delivers message on holy day at Capitol Hill

By Nisa Islam Muhammad—Staff Writer— (PHOTOS: Ansar Muhammad) | Last updated: Oct 9, 2015 - 1:00:00 PM

WASHINGTON—For the third year, Imam Abdul Malik brought the Muslims weekly holy day to Capitol Hill. Nearly a thousand worshippers came from across the country and braved a light rain to bow down in unity as part of the weekend celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March under the theme of Justice or Else.

“Jumu’ah is mandatory for the Muslims,” he told the crowd. “Prophet Muhammad was successful in uniting those who were once enemies and made them brothers. Nothing takes people to Saudi Arabia but the Kabbah. People need to get to the holy city of Mecca. It is Islam that unites us.

“If our enemies can unite against us, why can’t we unite against them?” he asked.

The imam spoke about the attacks against Muslims by the Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Dr. Ben Carson.

“After this Jumu’ah, I’m going to shut his campaign down. I’m not going to let people just defile Islam,” he said.

A major theme of his khutbah (sermon) was the unity of Muslims.

“Muslims are scared to walk with Minister Farrakhan but will bow to the pope. People ask, ‘Is Minister Farrakhan a Muslim’. Is the pope a Catholic?,” he said.

“It’s not your business who a Muslim is and who is not a Muslim. Some of the so called Muslims will go to hell because they are not practicing Islam. In America, we will build a bright future for our people because that’s the spirit of Islam.”

Faatimah Gamble, wife of Luqman Al Haqq (formerly Kenny Gamble of the historic recording artists Gamble and Huff), travelled from Philadelphia for the historic occasion. She told The Final Call, “It was a very timely sermon. I’ve worked to join the sisters of the Nation with other Muslim sisters. I do believe we are one because we believe in the same one God.”

“The Honorable Elijah Muhammad was the architect of bringing Islam to Black people. He deserves the credit. I love Minister Farrakhan. He’s friends of my family. Imam Abdul Malik is progressive in his thinking. In today’s world you must be progressive,” she said.

Naim Sabree is from Chicago but travelled from Dallas to be in D.C. for Justice or Else. “Jumu’ah was fantastic. To hear Imam Abdul Malik’s words was amazing. That’s the same message I have in my heart -- to bring Muslims together. I want to do the work of Allah.”

Imams lead Jumu'ah Prayer Service.

Muslims take part in the annual "Islam on Capitol Hill," Oct. 9.

Fredrica Bey is the head of Women in Support of the Million Man March, an organization that started 20 years ago. She travelled from Newark to be part of the weekend.

“This was so powerful,” she told The Final Call. “It was like listening to a young Minister Farrakhan. Imam Malik spoke to the Muslims about unity. That’s what the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Minister Farrakhan have been teaching.”

Imam Malik was a teenager when he met Minister Farrakhan while on Hajj. They were introduced by acclaimed mathematician Imam Abdul Alim Shabazz, formerly Lonnie Shabazz, minister of Muhammad’s Temple #4 in Washington. The young Abdul Malik became the Minister’s tour guide and interpreter. Years later when he left Mecca and came to Chicago, he lived with Min. Farrakhan.

“Minister Farrakhan is the only Muslim to challenge this government. You cannot be a free people if you are not ready to die for that freedom. I will never denounce Minister Farrakhan.

“The Honorable Elijah Muhammad told Minister Farrakhan to bring the Muslims together. Bring the Sunnis and the Nation together. We want Justice or Else,” he said.

The Final Call