The History of the Nation of Islam in New Orleans

On July the Fourth, the day of America's Independence celebration, He announced the beginning of His mission which was to restore and to resurrect His lost and found people, who were identified as the original members of the Tribe of Shabazz from the Lost Nation of Asia. The lost people of the original nation of African descent, were captured, exploited, and dehumanized to serve as servitude slaves of America for over three centuries. His mission was to teach the downtrodden and defenseless Black people a thorough Knowledge of God and of themselves, and to put them on the road to Self-Independence with a superior culture and higher civilization than they had previously experienced. He taught us the ways of love and peace, of truth and beauty. We are being led into the path of a new spiritual culture and civilization of complete harmony and peace, one of refinement in the pursuit of happiness and   Supreme Knowledge of God and the Science of everything in life.

and eternal joy in the

In 1931, THE MASTER was preaching this Great Truth of salvation when He met a man named Elijah Poole in Detroit, Michigan. He chose him to be His Divine Representative in continuing this most difficult task of bringing truth and light to His lost and found people. For 3 1/2 years He taught and trained the Honorable Elijah Muhammad night and day into the profound Secret Wisdom of the Reality of God, which included the hidden knowledge of the original people who were the first founders of civilization of our Planet and who had a full knowledge of the Universal Order of Things from the beginning of the Divine Creation.

Upon the Master's departure in 1934, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad labored tirelessly to bring life to his mentally and spiritually dead people until his return to the Master in 1975. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad identified the Master as being the answer to the one that the world had been expecting for the past 2,000 years under the names Messiah, the second coming of Jesus, the Christ, Jehovah, God, and the Son of Man. When the Honorable Elijah Muhammad asked Him to identify Himself He replied that He was the Mahdi. He signed His name in 1933 as Master Wallace Fard Muhammad to express the meaning of One Who had come in the Early Morning Dawn of the New Millennium to lay the base for a New World Order of Peace and Righteousness on the foundation of Truth and Justice; to put down tyrants and to change the world into a Heaven on Earth.

One of the cities that was blessed to receive the life giving Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad was New Orleans, Louisiana.  The early history of the Nation of Islam is still in the process of being fully researched. However, thus far we have been told by the oldest pioneer in our community that there was a brother by the name of Brother Minister Emery X Thomason who was the local minister here in the city. “Emery lived Uptown in the 13^th Ward. He was a very good musician. He would talk to me about what Elijah Muhammad was teaching; this was in the 40’s. After I was discharged from the military I later found out that he was the minister,” said Brother Tillman Muhammad. Brother Tillman went on to say that there was a brother by the name of Sidney X, from Philadelphia who served as the minister when he (Brother Tillman) finally join the ranks. Brother Tillman said at that time they were meeting at 1817 Claiborne, “We would go out with the Muhammad Speaks at 4am in the morning. We were very militant; this is why I fear no one but Allah today.” We are still in the process of finding out more information about the Nation of Islam’s history when the mosque was located on Fourth and Magnolia, blocks away from the Magnolia Housing Development.

Brother Tillman was blessed with the opportunity of personally meeting the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad during the 1973 Saviours’ Day Convention. “I had traveled to Chicago several times; however, my first time meeting the Messenger was in 1973. I stayed at the YMCA with a brother who was the minister in Baton Rouge. That brother could teach on pork very well.  We were in our bakery and the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad walked in and began to greet and talk to each of us. He told us how much he loved our people and how he wanted to secure some land for them. He told us he was thinking about large tracts of land not 10,000 acres but 100,000 acres. He said he wanted to grow food that our people would need, because a time was coming where a famine would take place and our people would starve. As he talked about how our people would suffer, a sadness came over me and I believe he sensed it. He then began to talk about how the acres of land would help us. As he talked the sadness was lifted up and I felt like I was being lifted up from off of the earth,” said Brother Tillman.

On August 26, 2006 we were blessed to receive more information about the history of the Nation of Islam in New Orleans by another pioneer here in the city-Brother Imam Nashid Salahuddin (formerly known as Murray X). Brother Imam told us the following information. Brother Louis X (now known as H. Malik Muhammad) during the mid-50’s started reading the articles written by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad in the Pittsburg Courier Newspaper. He was so impressed by the Teachings that he stared spreading the word to others in the community. About a year later Emory X (now known as Umar Shareef) a professional trumpet player from New Orleans had joined the Nation while in Chicago. He came back home to teach Islam in the city, he and Brother Louis X came together and decided that since Brother Emory X was more knowledgeable about the Teaching he should be the representative. Meetings were held in various areas of the city in the early days including St. Phillip, Orleans Avenue, Claiborne Avenue and Ursuline Street. Many of the brothers who were accepting Islam during those days had some kind of trade, like carpenters, brick layers, cooks and etc.

During the early sixties Brother Sidney X (now known as Katib Hassan) was sent to New Orleans to become the minister; Temple #46 was soon established on 2626 Magnolia Street. Malcolm X came to the city several times after becoming the National Representative of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. During the mid-60’s the uprisings on the college campuses and the students’ desire for Black Studies Programs; the Nation began to attract many SUNO (Southern University of New Orleans) Xavier and Dillard University students, Dillard is where Brother Harold X (known as Khalid Muhammad) was enrolled as a student.

Brother George 4X (now know as Khalil Aleem) replaced Brother Sidney X as the minister in the city. I eventually became Brother George’s assistant minister-Bro. Murray X. When Minster George 4X came we grew in every area. We had a restaurant and a fish market on Washington Avenue. We would later open Temple 46B in the Lower 9^th Ward along with a fish market, bakery and a school. I later became the minister at Temple 46B; this was about 1970-1972. There were over one hundred brothers selling 300 or more Muhammad Speaks a week. We had meetings that were being held on the East and Westbank including Avondale, Marrero and Algiers, this is where Brother Walter Umrani was fished into the temple. We sold papers and fish door to door. In 1973 more changes took place, Minister Ati replaced Brother George 4X and a brother by the name of Brother Hasan was sent to assist Ati. I was sent to Monore, Louisiana, I think Wali Ra’oof became minister around 1974-75.

Brother Hafezz Muhammad (1/1948-10/2006) also has fond memories of the Nation of Islam in New Orleans during the 70’s.  “I actually fell into the ranks in 1973. I had been coming out to the mosque since 1970.  I was a Nationalist then and really was not too much into God and definitely not into saving America, but I like the Teachings,” stated Brother Hafezz. “I joined the ranks in 73 after the incident that involved my friend Mark Exses took place.  We were meeting on 4^th and Magnolia at that time and Brother George 4X was the minister here in New Orleans at that time”, continued Brother Hafezz.  The mosque also had its own Muhammad University of Islam at that time. The believers pooled their resources to purchase a school bus for the children.  “It felt so good to see the young sisters dressed in their righteous school uniforms, which were blue. I was filled with joy.  We were the first to buy a bus for our children,” stated Brother Hafezz.

1980’s-1990’s 

Brother Emile was born in New Orleans and when he was either 5 or 6 years old his mother decided to relocate to Los Angeles, California. Despite moving to Los Angeles, Brother Emile would still return to the city of his birth to spend his childhood summer vacations and would later tell his mother one day he would return. “While being involved in gangbanging and hustling, I saw many lose their lives to the streets. I remember telling my mother once that if I lived to reach the age of twenty, I would return to New Orleans to live. At that time many youths my age did not believe they would see twenty,” stated Brother Emile. Brother Emile first heard the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad in 1978 and accepted in 1979 under the administration of Brother Khalid Muhammad who was the minister in L.A. Even prior to his accepting the Teachings Brother Emile had some childhood experiences with Muslims. “As a

child I can remember seeing the Muslims out soldiering. I was leery of them because I thought they were a cult. My mother would always buy the bean pie and we would have it with our dinner. I would never eat it and would trade it for some food my brother had. I remember one day while walking to school with some friends one of them threw a rock at the Muslim school bus. The bus came to a quick stop and off of the bus came some junior Fruit. Me and my friends all broke out in separate directions, but one of my friends was caught by the Muslims, they brought him back to the bus and took him with them. Later on that day when they brought him back and we saw him again he was talking all of this Black stuff. “Man, we should not have thrown rocks at the Muslims. They are our brothers and they are trying to help Black people,” continued Brother Emile, laughing as he reflected on that experience. This run in with the Muslims and the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad would not be his last.

One day while working in a fast food restaurant another employee told him that the Honorable Minister Farrakhan was going to begin rebuilding the Nation of Islam. “I had no idea who the brother was talking about.” Brother Emile’s next shock would come from his cousin now known as Brother Mark Muhammad. “One day while smoking weed Brother Mark asked me if I knew who the Children of God are? I told him yeah the Jews. Mark told me that the Jews were not the Children of God and that the Children of God were Black people. I remember saying to him, “N#$&A are you crazy,” stated Brother Emile. Little did Brother Emile know, that in 1979 he would be a Believer in that same Teaching.

A year or so after Brother Emile’s acceptance of the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, he, Brother Mark and another relative would decide to return to New Orleans to lift up the banner of Islam. They arrived back in the city ready to go to work on July 4^th, 1980 and in 1981 the Believers attended Saviours’ Day. “Brother Mark had been in contact with Minister Akbar, who let him know that a shipment of the first Final Call Newspapers were being sent to Atlanta. We paid the travel and lodging expenses for Brother Lee and Brother Allen who traveled to Atlanta to get one bundle of papers,” continued Brother Emile. The first place in the city where they went to distribute the papers were in the Desire and Fischer Housing Developments. “In L.A. we had been trained to always go and soldier in the worst neighborhoods.” Anyone who knows anything about New Orleans knows that the Fischer and Desire Housing Developments were nothing to play with.

As time passed on Brother Mark left New Orleans to go to Houston and Brother Emile began working as an electrician. “Things kind of slowed down in the city and one day while I was driving down Canal Street I saw Brother Jamil out with the paper. We talked and I told him we had other Muslims in the city and from there we were rolling again,” stated Brother Emile.

During those early days the small group of Believers use to meet Brother Emile’s backyard. “We use to hold study group there and would study the writings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Our focus was Message To the Black Man, Our Saviour Has Arrived and the Muslim Program. We worked to memorized the Muslim Program word for word, which helped us out when we were out with the paper.”

Brother Emile said that he always had a love for history and this love for history inspired him to seek out pioneers who still lived in the city for the purpose of learning from their experiences. “I would seek out pioneers and talk to them about the early days and how they worked to established Islam under the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.”

In 1981 Bro. James X, known today as Brother Minister Jamil Muhammad was sent to the city to rebuild the work of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, “I came in late May of 1981.  The decision to send me there was The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan's, after an impromptu "sit-down" with Bro. Karriem Abdel-Aziz (now known as Minister Abdul Akbar Muhammad) in a Washington, DC hotel room where I happened to be on post as security for the Minister.  He asked me that day, and within a week, I was in New Orleans.  All of that came as quite a surprise to my new little wife, Angela (Jamilah)!  But she was a real soldier, and came to N.O. even though we found out that my daughter Kamilah was on the way.  All praise is due to Allah for Sis. Jamilah, for she too had a great hand in whatever I was blessed to do in New Orleans,” said Minister Jamil.

“Brother Mark's family, including their cousin Emil, were the only Muslims I learned of in the city prior to my arrival.  My coming there just put things into "official" motion, I would say.  In fact, when Minister Akbar gave me the details of my assignment from the Minister, the first persons he sent me to see and ask for support were Kalaamu Ya Salaam of The Black Collegian Magazine and Attorney Mtumishi St. Julien.  Of course, I later learned of and met great people like Muhammad Yungai and his lovely wife, who had come to New Orleans from Chicago, and others too numerous to mention. I thank Allah for them all,” continued Minister Jamil.      

Within months of arriving in the city Minister Jamil and the other believers had already organized a community event. “We met first in a mass meeting at the Marriott hotel on Canal St. in August of 1981. That meeting was notable for the blessed success it was (we prepared for an audience of 500, but well over 1000 came!), and for the fact that tragically, the tape was lost due to the untimely demise of our Brother Minister Raymond X Watlington of Houston, TX soon thereafter.  He had been the chief recording technician that night.  May Allah be forever pleased with our brother!  Minister Abdul Sharrieff Muhammad (Bro. William X at the time) joined Captain Abdul Aquil Muhammad (Bro. Rodney X) in a delegation which came all the way from Mosque #4 in Washington under the leadership of our great Brother Abdul Wali Muhammad (later to become editor of The Final Call) who was captain in DC at that time.  Boy was I glad to see them!  It was a magical night,” stated Brother Minister Jamil.           

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan based the rebuilding of the Nation of Islam on the idea of Self-Improvement Study sessions, which helped give old and new believers the opportunity to grow in their understanding of the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. This strategy was used by Minister Jamil and others as they labored in the city of New Orleans. “As for regular study group meetings, they were held in the house at 4950 Venus Street, where Bro. Carlton, Sis. Amy, Bro. Alan (all siblings of Brother Mark from Houston) lived at the time.  Believe it or not, in order to save time and commuting expense from Metairie, Jamilah and I moved into the same small house.  Talk about your Muslim unity!  We were tight, "sho' nuff"!  Late into the evenings we would drill and train in the driveway, until the neighbors said they'd had enough.  Then, the next night, we'd do it all again.  Praise be to Allah for the groundbreaking captaincy of Brother Emil Muhammad, who drove hard and faithfully, even back then,” Minister Jamil stated.           

After meeting on Venus Street for sometime the believers were bless to get a storefront at 2406 S. Claiborne Ave. “It was across the street from Mason's Americana Motel in uptown New Orleans.  It wasn't big as a postage stamp, but we grew and worked there as hard as we could.  That was the place where Minister Harold and Brother Art first visited us from Chester, PA and Philadelphia, respectively.  This was in 1982, after we had been to Saviours' Day at the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago months before, where we learned that we had qualified for the status of "Mosque".  All praise is due to Allah!  By July of 1982, I had been re-assigned to Mosque #12 in Philadelphia,” explained Minister Jamil.  The banner of Islam in the city of New Orleans was then picked up by Brother Mark X.           

After Brother Mark came Brother Minister Harold Muhammad, who arrived in the city in October of 1987. Minister Harold who was living in Los Angeles, Ca. prior to arriving in New Orleans, was asked by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan to come to the city and open a study group. “We first met at the Days In on Canal and Claiborne, from there we went to the Sun Rise Community Center off of St. Bernard Avenue, then to Bayou Road, followed by St. Marks Community Center and finally to Alost and Downman around 1991,” stated Minister Harold. The New Orleans study group received its charter in 1993. “The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan came to the city in the month of July during his 1990 “Stop the Killing” tour. On the 13^th the Minister spoke at a banquet that had 300 people in attendance at $50.00 a plate. On the 14th he spoke to 10,000 people at the “Stop the Killing” rally. On the following day Minister Farrakhan spoke to 2,000 at the St. Theresa of the Little Child Jesus Catholic Church,” stated Minister Harold. While in the city the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan met with members of the city council, with the exception of Peggy Wilson and Mike Early. The Minister was also given the “Key of the City”.           

The historic “Great Debate” between the late Dr. Khalid Muhammad and Caucasian lawyer took place at the Low’s Theater on Canal Street. The debate was about the racial identity of the Jesus. For many of the believers and those who were in attendance, this debate was one for the record books. Brother Khalid ran through the lawyer’s argument like an 18-wheeler driving at full speed. His academic presentation about Jesus being a man of color was full of “Shock and Awe.”            

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan came to the city of New Orleans again in 1994 as he traveled the country mobilizing for the Historic Million Man March. All throughout America the Minister held “men only meetings” inspiring Black men to reclaim their destinies and take back their communities. At the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans 10,000 Black men came out to see him. “At this time the videotape lectures of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan was being shown on Cox Cable five days a week and twice on Friday’s. He could also be heard on the radio every Sunday,” said Minister Harold Muhammad. Minister Harold went on to minister in Baton Rouge, La., Fort Worth, Tx. and later returned to the city of New Orleans and served as the Co-Chair of the New Orleans Local Organizing Committee.           

In 1994 Brother Captain Richard Muhammad was appointed to the position of minister of Muhammad’s Mosque #46. Minister Richard and staff shouldered the responsibility of galvanizing Black men to make it to Washington, D.C. by train, car or bus for the Historic Million Man March. To accomplish this, the Local Organizing Committee for the Million Man March was established and a variety of community activists aided in the effort.  Black women also helped to make this effort successful. Departing for the march from the parking lot of the Plaza Mall in Eastern New Orleans, hundreds of Black men headed to Washington, D.C. not knowing they were about to be written in history as being participants in the largest march ever to take place in America. On October 16, 1995, 2 million Black men from different educational, political, religious, and economic backgrounds came together and showed the world an image of Black men that had not been seen since we were in rulership.            

Brother Minister Richard later left New Orleans and continued to work at the National Headquarters of the Nation of Islam in Chicago, Illinois.  He is now the minister of the Cleveland, Ohio mosque.

2000-Present           

In the late 1990’s Mosque #46 came under the leadership of Brother Minister Duane Muhammad.  Under Brother Minister Duane’s administration the believers pooled their resources and purchased the property that is located at 4201 Downman and Alost. In 1997 the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan came to the city and spoke at the Mahalia Jackson Theater to nearly 2,000 people. The lecture was titled, “Our Genesis.” The Believers were further blessed when the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke to the Believers in the mosque during a Believers Meeting.

The first local Holy Day of Atonement was held on the campus of Southern University in New Orleans in 1998.  Minister Farrakhan addressed the nation live via satellite. During the address the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan talked about the need for the country of America to atone for its sins and he pointed out the hypocrisy surrounding the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky scandal.           

Brother Minister Duane and the believers also mobilized the city of New Orleans to participate in the Million Family March on October 16, 2000.  The Million Family March showed how the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan is able to attract cross sections of the U.S. population.  The composition of the attendees at the march ranged from Ortorodox Jews, Koreans to members of street organizations.           

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan returned to the city of New Orleans immediately after coming off of a World Friendship Tour and participated in the Panorama of Truth Conference sponsored by Reverend Johnnie Colemon a dear friend of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan on July 25, 2002. The mayor of New Orleans (C. Ray Nagin) and the former New Orleans Police Chief (Edwin Compass) came out to hear the message delivered by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.            

In July of 2002 Brother Captain Willie Muhammad was appointed as the interim minister by Southwest Regional Minister Robert Muhammad.  In November of that same year after a meeting with the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan during a Regional laborers meeting the decision to make Brother Captain Willie the official minister of Muhammad Mosque #46 was made. The first local Saviours' Day address was held in the city in February 2003, this marked the first time that Saviours’ Day was held in the city of New Orleans; it was held on the campus of Southern University of New Orleans. The local mosque hosted this annual event in the city for two additional years. 

The mosque had several community outreach activities such as the Monthly Feed the Homeless Program (started by Sister Captain Angele Muhammad and the M.G.T.), Annual Back To School Supplies Giveaway, which was held in various housing developments around the city, the first State F.O.I. Meeting (organized by Brother Captain Bryan and his staff), where Minister Jabril Muhammad address the Fruit of Islam via telephone conference call, Jumah prayer service, Black Marriage Day Weekend Celebration (organized by Sister Protocol Phyllis Muhammad).   The believers were also blessed to be visited by Min. Abdul Rahman Muhammad and the now Southern Regional Minister Sharieff Muhammad           

 “We were also able to beautify the mosque thanks to the help of the believers who contributed funds, helped with the painting and carpentry and we tore down an old adjacent building,” said Minister Willie Muhammad.            

The Mosque #46 also worked in conjunction with the Local Organizing Committee on several significant community events, such as the Citywide Stop the Violence Campaign and mobilizing for the 10^th Anniversary of the Million Man March.  One of the most memorable was the French Quarter Blackout that was held during the Annual Essence Festival Celebration.  The purpose of the French Quarter Blackout was to draw the attention of the Essence Festival partygoers to economic disparities that exists in New Orleans and the inherent racism that impacted the daily lives of the cities 70% Black population.           

The mosque then became engaged (August 2006) in a battle that stemmed from the New Orleans Police Department Superintendent, Eddie Compass desire to use the expertise of Brother Captain Dennis Muhammad, President of E.N.O.T.A., to help better the relationship between the community and local law enforcement. The Superintendent accepted the contract only to later rescind it due to opposition by a local Jewish Rabbi. A videotaped beating of a retired high school teacher on Bourbon Street by police officers revealed to the world what Brother Captain Dennis was trying to eliminate.      

The local mosque also made a historic step in the area of education.  The community came together and were about to open the first Muhammad Mosque school (Muhammad’s Academy) post 1975 in the city of New Orleans.  “When I reflect back what I am somewhat the most happy about is how the believers came together to raise the needed funds to transform a portion of our mosque into two classrooms for the school that Sister Trena and others were going to run,” Minister Willie Muhammad said. “Unfortunately, we were not able to see it in operation, because the day it was scheduled to open was the same day Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. However, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan told us not to worry about our losses because Allah will bless us with even greater than that which we lost,” continued Minister Willie.            

On August the 29^th, 2005 Hurricane Katrina and mysterious levee breaches caused 80% of the city to be flooded with water. The downstairs portion of the mosque was badly damaged and believers evacuated to various areas within the Nation of Islam. “By Allah’s Grace, we can say today that not one believer lost their lives during this historic hurricane,” stated Minister Willie.  Throughout this ordeal the believers maintained contact with each other through weekly telephone conference calls, one of which the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke to the believers.           

Many of the believers who lived in New Orleans prior to Katrina decided to relocate to other cities after the hurricane. The first study group meetings after the hurricane were held in the home of Brother Errol and Sister Captain Angele Muhammad.           

During the month of January 2006, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan traveled to the city of New Orleans to meet with the believers of Mosque #46 and to participate in a three day conference put on by the Institute of the Black World in the 21st Century.  On the 13^th of January the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke at the historical St. Augustine Church and on the 14^th he participated a Town hall meeting that was held at Watson Memorial Ministries. Later that day the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke to the believers of New Orleans and other believers from the Southwest Region.             

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan took a personal tour through the city of New Orleans and the ravaged Lower 9^th Ward.  Touched by what he saw and eager to not allow the rest of Black America and the world forget about the worst natural disaster in American history, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan instructed the Final Call Newspaper Staff to return to the city to film a documentary about what took place in New Orleans.           

As of May 2006, the remaining believers in the city are continuing to meet on Friday’s and working to rebuild the believing community of Muhammad Mosque #46. 

While the city of New Orleans was faced with a shortage of summer programs for its youth, a Bro. Errol Muhammad of Mosque #46 who returned to the city after Katrina, began formulating plans to open a summer camp for the children of the believers. “After contemplating on the next best step to we as believers could take to regain our position as vanguards in our community, I proposed to Minister Willie the idea of starting a summer camp. He immediately agreed and fully supported the idea and suggested that I carry out the vision I had for our children,” stated Bro. Errol Muhammad. Bro. Errol and his advisors went to work

“After contemplating on the next best step to we as believers could take to regain our position as vanguards in our community, I proposed to Minister Willie the idea of starting a summer camp. He immediately agreed and fully supported the idea and suggested that I carry out the vision I had for our children,” stated Bro. Errol Muhammad. Bro. Errol and his advisors went to work. Through telephone conferences and meetings the structure; curriculum and summer activities were planned. “Due to our ultimate goal of opening an actual school, we named the camp Muhammad’s School for Education. We want to transition from a summer camp to an actual school for our children and those of our brothers and sisters who have returned,” said Bro. Errol.

 

An Opening Ceremony Banquet was planned as a kick-off event for the actual summer camp. The banquet was attended by believers from Mosque 46, community activist, businesspersons and concerned citizens. To drive home the necessity of something being done for our children, the Muhammad’s School for Education Planning Committee used the services of Minister Jamil Muhammad, a National Spokesperson for the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and Minister Harold Muhammad, the New Orleans President of the Local Organizing Committee. “God is on our side to provide summer camps as well as schools and safe havens for our children, the children of New Orleans. The efforts of Brother Errol Muhammad, Minister Willie Muhammad and those brave and courageous brothers and sisters who are with them, need and deserve the support of every right thinking citizen of New Orleans,” stated Minister Harold Muhammad.

Minister Harold Muhammad taught from the recently published book by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan titled, “Education is the Key.” Minister Jamil Muhammad who further explained to the audience the importance of controlling the education of our children followed him on the program. Minister Jamil also inspired those in attendance to financially support the efforts of the Muhammad’s School of Education. “Any opportunity to present the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad is a good opportunity. This is one of the best opportunity because of the mosque’s involvement, the personal commitment of Bro. Errol, sis. Angele and their family. Bro. Errol expertise is inspiration for the youth. Great things will come out of New Orleans,” stated, Minister Jamil Muhammad.

The doors of the camp opened on June 12^th. Even though it has only been opened for a week, the camp administrators are already receiving plenty calls from parents who want to enroll their children. The first portion of the camp goers day is focused on academics. The children learn math, reading, computer and science skills that will help them even beyond the camp. In addition the students are being taught chess, the glorious history of the Black man and woman and Godly principles they can apply to their young lives. The students are also taken on an educational field trip every Friday.

At a time when the recreational activities for the city’s youth are scarce, the timing of the Muhammad School for Education is right and exact. “The importance and significance of this summer enrichment camp for our children stems from the lessons the Messenger, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad has taught us in our striving toward excellence and success. It is most important for us to begin controlling and developing our own institutions regardless of how imperfect they may seem in their infancies. Our grassroots efforts will prove profitable if we are sincere,” stated Baakir Tyehimba, who is one of the teachers at the camp.

On August 6, 2006 the first Sunday meeting to be held since Hurricane Katrina took place. A local pastor by the name of Nelson Brown opened up the doors of a hall (St. Mary’s Hall-3518 General Meyer) that he owns to the Muslims to be used every Sunday. Brother Walter Umrani, half of the mosque protocol staff contacted Pastor Nelson who did not hesitate to help the Muslims in their time of need.

August 29^th, 2006 marked the one year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The local believers participated and helped in the planning of several commemoration events that took place. On August 25th, 2006 the Southwest Regional Minister Robert Muhammad flew into the city to participate in a National Dialogue that featured such panelists as Ron Daniels, Julianne Malveaux, Marc Morial, Cynthia Willard and others. On August 26^th, the believing community participated in the Hands Around the Dome commemoration event. The presence of the F.O.I. was definitely felt. F.O.I. from Shreveport, Baton Rouge and Monroe came into the city to help out. The commemoration activities ended with a premiere of the Final Call produce documentary “Unmasking New Orleans”.

During this weekend we Bro. Vincent X became the first person to register since Hurricane Katrina. Brother Vincent has a spirit to work the program and go after our people. He is a “souljah” to the core and a great asset to the believing community here in the city of New Orleans.