Peace Fest Promotes Ending Violence in Phoenix

By Quita Jackson | Last updated: Jun 21, 2011 - 7:14:55 PM

Community enjoys 10th Annual Stop the Violence Peace Fest amid the backdrop of South Mountain in Phoenix. (top right)Brother Ishmael Muhammad, Student National Assistant to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan shares uplifting message with the community. (right)Vocalist performs. Photos: Rueben Mejias and Keania Madison

PHOENIX (FinalCall.com) - A free event with food, performances, jumpers for the kids and guest speakers to help show you how to keep crime out of your neighborhood—another successful Peace Fest.

More than 5,000 people recently attended the 10th Annual “Stop the Violence” Peace Fest at the South Mountain Activity Complex.

Peace Fest organizer and founder Therman Muhammad (right) and his wife Dorrana Muhammad welcome Ishmael Muhammad. (2)Yasin Muhammad plays the violin and Jamil Muhammad accompanies on keyboard.

Therman Muhammad, vice-president of B.E.A. Inc. and founder of the Stop the Violence Peace Fest, says, youth violence can't be allowed to slip under the radar. “Youth violence affects all of us—no matter what neighborhood you live in, and it is our goal to stop the violence and raise the consciousness of our community,” he adds.

One teen influences another, whether it is at school, over the Internet or even on television, Mr. Muhammad continues.

Thousands of youth crowded the stage to listen to guest speakers and watch the live entertainment, including a performance from recording artist CeCe Peniston.

“I support the Peace Fest because it has such a positive impact on our community. … It's a time when we all come together out of love,” says Ms. Peniston.

The positive attitude was felt throughout the event.

“The Peace Fest will continue to have success because of the passion of the organizers of the event. He says they are not looking for profit or gain, only to enrich the community ... following instructions from the Million Man March,” says Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, assistant minister to the Honorable Louis Farrakhan. “God makes it all possible because of the efforts of good,” he adds. “If all of these people can gather for one day without violence, we should be able to take that same message to our neighborhoods.”

B.E.A. is continuing the efforts with a new mentoring program called Gent Boyz Academy, which is for young males 14-21. Jamil Muhammad, one of the mentors for the program, says, “The mission is to keep young men out of the streets. It gives some of these young men father figures that they don't have at home and it shows them love that they may otherwise look to gangs for.”

(L-R) Children of all ages enjoyed a full day of activities. Participants in youth mentoring program. (r) F.O.I. from Muhammad Mosque No. 32 in Phoenix perform military drill exhibition for the crowd.

The academy's main goal is to transform boys into gentlemen.

“If you're not investing in our youth, you are not investing in our future,” Therman Muhammad observes.

Organizers said everyone can help with such efforts to promote peace, whether you have children or not. You can volunteer to help expose our youth to all sorts of things including ways to handle stress or donate money or items to help with programs and attend peaceful events to show support, they say.

For more information on volunteer and donation opportunities, go to www.peacefestaz.com, call 602-487-4885. Or send an e-mail to [email protected].

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