by Dora Muhammad
Staff Writer

CHICAGO (Finalcall.com)�The Muslim American Society (MAS) gathered Aug. 31-Sept. 3 for their annual convention, which culminated in a public address by Imam W. Deen Mohammed, son of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and MAS spokesman.

"We Cannot Stop Now" was the conference theme and Muslims were invited to enjoy a weekend filled with family and youth activities. The unveiling of an postage stamp in honor of Eid, an Islamic holiday; a photo exhibit chronicling Islam in America and cultural events reflected the conference�s mission "to preserve, advance and celebrate our best tradition as Muslim Americans." Weekend workshops discussed the vision of how to cultivate a community that reflects the best of Islam.

"We have the desire in our souls to prove ourselves to be what God made us, and the determination to be honorable and industrious. And never stop until we establish our lives in the best image that was given to us by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam," Imam Mohammed told The Final Call during an exclusive interview.

"The message is about the aspiration in our souls to establish our life for God, and for human excellence, for mankind beginning with our own selves, our own families, our own houses, our own neighborhoods," he explained.

Minister Ishmael Muhammad, also a son of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, said it was an honor to join his family and represent the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and Nation of Islam on the dais at the imam�s public address. "I am thankful to the Honorable Minister Farrakhan for his profound love of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the imam and his followers for making it possible for our two communities to come together," Min. Ishmael said.

The unity of two once divided communities now working to fulfill the mission of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, he explained, and heralds a bright and promising future for Islam in America.

Anthony Muhammad, F.O.I. captain at Mosque Maryam, who grew up in the Nation of Islam, was invited to be a part of the convention�s martial arts seminar given by Bro. Mutakabir and Bro. Antar. Bro. Anthony is a highly regarded martial arts expert.

The growth of the Muslim community is like a woman in childbirth, said Carolyn El-Amin, recalling Imam Ibrahim Pasha�s remarks during the MAS banquet. "You can�t tell the baby to stop. You can�t stop now so you push it and push it. You form it and you develop it," she said echoing the theme of the convention.

The convention offered youth programs, which included forums, workshops, a talent showcase and outdoor games. From ballet, singing, Qur�anic recitation and karate, student performers amazed audiences throughout weekend events.

Highlighting the accomplishments of Muslim children, Clara Muhammad Schools from across the nation displayed their work alongside the MAS Historic Exhibit produced by Amir Muhammad. Since 1995, he has documented Islamic history and Muslim communities in America dating back to the 1300s and up to the present. He has uncovered Arabic writings in churches from Mississippi to Arizona, from Georgia to Canada; as well as tombstones with the engravings of one finger, an Islamic symbol for the oneness of God.

Shouts of "Allah-u-Akbar" ("God is Greatest") erupted Sept. 1 at the MAS convention viewing of the release of the Eid stamp as it was telecast simultaneously from the Islamic Society of North America�s annual conference held in Des Plaines, Ill. Mohamed Zakariya, the stamp designer, is an American-born Muslim who studied calligraphy for 35 years in Turkey.