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Honor And Praise For A Servant, Student Of Muhammad

By Michael Z. Muhammad -Contributing Writer- | Last updated: Sep 21, 2016 - 12:07:56 PM

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RANDOLPH, Mass.—Hundreds recently gathered from up and down the East Coast to pay tribute to Don Muhammad, emeritus senior minister of Muhammad Mosque No. 11, the man and his mission at the beautiful Lantana Ballroom, a stone’s throw from Boston.

The program Sept. 10 featured student ministers of the Nation of Islam under the leadership of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan as well as noted community members whose lives were touched by Minister Don. Beside him was Sister Shirley Muhammad, who was instrumental in his success, as well as his family members.

The program began with a slide show showing Min. Don as a living example of the life giving teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and pictorially as a father, student and brother. The program opened  in prayer.

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Min. Don Muhammad (center), with some of the men he has helped and brought to Islam through a devoted prison ministry program. Photos: Richard B. Muhammad

Hosted by Mosque No. 11 Student Protocol Director Ralph Muhammad, the tight program saluted Min. Don as a “loving and humble student, brother warrior and soldier for his community and Nation.”

Student Minister Abdul Khadir Muhammad, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative of the Nation of Islam from Washington, D.C., was the first to bring remarks. He characterized Minister Don as a friend and wise mentor concerned about the development of the community and the Nation. “Min. Don talked to me every morning bringing wise counsel,” he said. Student Minister Rodney Muhammad of Mosque No. 11 shared how prior to the rebirth of the Nation of Islam Boston was a very dark city. “Minister Don brought discipline to the ranks and we learned to become soldiers and lovers of Minister Louis Farrakhan,” he said. “Minister Don thank you for teaching me how to represent the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Minister Don you are the man,” he said. Student Ministers Rodney Muhammad and Randy Muhammad will take over the leadership reins of Mosque No. 11.

Student Minister Randy Muhammad noted that the day was devoted to celebrating a warrior. He characterized Minister Don as one of the greatest ministers of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad and a man who ruled the streets of Boston. “To the sisters he was an honorable and powerful man. Minister Don was not a talker but a worker. A perfect leader, example, companion, friend, confidant, father, husband, businessman and warrior. Thank you for setting the bar so high,” Randy Muhammad said.

Representing the Executive Council of the Nation of Islam was Berve Muhammad, student national secretary. “A giant doesn’t need to be present because he leaves such big footprints,” Breve Muhammad stated. He described Min. Don as a pillar that upholds structure, never to be removed from the foundation. “Time will not erode the legacy of Minister Don in Boston,” he said.

Student Minister Abdul Hafeez Muhammad of New York’s Muhammad Mosque No. 7 called it an honor to attend the evening tribute. He called Min. Don a sterling example and a man of longevity having served the Nation for five decades. “We love you, stand by you in our hearts and minds forever,” he said. Nation of Islam General Counsel Abdul Arif Muhammad, also Executive Council member, recalled there was never a time when Minister Don was not present and steadfast in his duty. He cited Holy Qur’an, chapter 3, verse 102, “And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not disunited.” The greatest gift brought by Minister Don is the love for the brotherhood, he said.

Reciting from the same Quranic chapter, Atty. Arif Muhammad stated, “And remember Allah’s favor to you. He united your hearts and you became brethren and you were on the brink of a pit of fire then he saved you from it.”  “Bro. Don has demonstrated this spirit and we thank you. Minister Don we love you,” he said.

Student Regional Captain Majied Muhammad of Newark evoked the old Nation of Islam story about the Hon. Elijah Muhammad being told he had as much of a chance of bringing Black people to Islam as putting pants on an elephant. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad retorted he had one leg in already. Well, said Captain Majied Muhammad, Min. Don was holding the pant leg.

Abdul Akbar Muhammad, international representative of the Nation of Islam, shared how Min. Don taught him not to sweat the small stuff and was a team player. He emphasized the tremendous inspiration Minister Don gave to men and women to do this work. “This man’s legacy needs to be documented and written,” he said.

Perhaps the most potent remarks were made by Dr. Errol Williams, a Boston area forensic psychologist. The practice of forensic psychology, and perhaps what forensic psychologists do most, is the psychological assessment of individuals who are involved, in one way or another, with the legal system.

In 1972 after coming out of prison, the struggling young Black man was taken under Minister Don’s wing and placed on a path to success.

“He became my father. I was a broken Black man and he fixed me. He got me a college scholarship while building me up as a man. He trained men. God is great, Jesus is great and Don Muhammad is great,” he emphatically stated. Hugging Min. Don as he left the podium, Dr. Williams told the Boston minister he had no idea how many lives he had saved by impacting his life and allowing him to impact others.

The Student Supreme Captain of the Nation of Islam Mustapha Farrakhan ended the remarks stating, “Don truly is a ‘don.’ If you want something of good he will find a way. Thank you for the love.”

The program included song, poetry and music by Mwalim, Tanisha Cooper, Sister Andrena Muhammad, Bro. Taqwa, and Gavon Muhammad and a hilarious impersonation of Minister Don by John Muhammad. Glorious Allah, an inmate at a correction center in Norfolk, telephoned in comments about the tremendous influence Minister Don had on inmates there. Lastly Minister Don was presented a citation from the city of Boston for his over 50 years of community service. All in all the aspect of service was most clear in a program filled with accolades—and the work of Minister Don as a soldier for God.