Admirers hold tribute for The Final Call's Askia Muhammad

By Nisa Islam Muhammad -Staff Writer- | Last updated: Apr 18, 2012 - 7:24:47 PM

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FinalCall.com) - Well-wishers from near and far gathered at the Plymouth Congregational Church, March 23, to pay tribute to journalist, commentator, poet and author Askia Muhammad.

Askia Muhammad, third from left, a longtime journalist and Final Call senior correspondent was recently honored for a his work in Washington, D.C., where he also serves as news director for Pacifi ca Radio’s WPFW-AM. Shown with him are Atty. Mara Verheyden-Hilliard; Brian Becker of the International ANSWER Coalition; Katea Stitt of WPFW; P. Pego Guerra, fi rst secretary of the Cuban Interests Section; A. Akbar Muhammad of the Nation of Islam; and Eugene Puryear of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ. Photo: Roy Lewis

He was called “friend,” “mentor,” “teacher,” “dedicated,” “soldier to the cause” and much more.

From former Attorney General Ramsey Clark who said, “It’s a great privilege to be here to honor a renaissance man. He’s strived to help us to see the truth in time,” to Rev. Graylan Haggler, the church’s pastor who said, “This is a liberation pulpit. Noting could be more of an honor than to have Askia here and celebrate what he stands for. He’s always spoken the truth and written the truth.” it was a night of accolades for Mr. Muhammad.

Mara Verheyden-Hillard, Executive Director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund described the difficulty in dealing with the media in getting her organizations’ message out to the community. But when it came to Pacifica’s WPFW Radio Station News Director Askia Muhammad, it was a different story.

“I’d call and he would say, ‘Let me just start recording.’ It’s just that easy. He’s so understated.

He’s someone who loves words and chooses his words wisely because he’s a poet. The issue is the struggle and getting the word out about the struggle,” she said. “Because of Askia Muhammad and WPFW, the word about our struggle goes out everyday. He is a storyteller because he tells the story of truth that changes our lives and the lives of the people of the District.”

He told the audience that he could attribute his success to the same things that helped make Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan great. 'Acceptance of the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam.'

The program was hosted by Brian Becker, head of the ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition who also organized the event and Katea Stitt, WPFW Music and Cultural Affairs Coordinator.

Mr. Becker welcomed the crowd to march through the decades looking at the struggles that have shaped America. But not through the eyes of a politician but, “through the eyes of the ordinary people who have struggles to have an impact on America.”

Abdul Akbar Muhammad, International Representative for the Nation of Islam, told the story of being in San Francisco and meeting Askia, then known as Charles 67X in 1971.

“He was very dedicated to his work. In 1973 he became the first Muslim editor of Muhammad Speaks Newspaper,” said Mr. Muhammad. “He’s been a soldier to this cause and I’ve renamed him Askia ‘How can I help you?’ Muhammad.

He’s always there to help. This is the night we honor you for your long, continued struggle.”

Mr. Muhammad was also saluted by Eugene Puryear, a student organizer against mass incarceration who said, “I think of Askia as an encourager. He is the living embodiment to the struggle who stands up right” and Patricia Pego Guerra, First Secretary, Cuban Interests Section who called Askia, “a friend of Cuba and a supporter of just causes.”

Mr. Becker introduced Askia to a standing ovation.

Mr. Muhammad spoke about being a soldier on the battlefield of ideas “trying to liberate our people from ignorance.” He said he was honored that so many family, friends and colleagues including his assistant editor, Ashahed M. Muhammad, at The Final Call were in attendance. Former editor in chief Abdul Arif Muhammad sent a video message. Mr. Muhammad thanked the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan for giving him numerous opportunities to travel with him and write for The Final Call Newspaper.

“If it had been left to me, I would have been happy being a Navy journalist. I was nudged to this place by circumstance,” said Mr. Muhammad.

This place spans four decades and includes an internship at Newsweek, photojournalism, articles in papers all around the country, multiple awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, a syndicated column, radio and television commentator, poetry and the author of Behind Enemy Lines.

He told the audience that he could attribute his success to the same things that helped make Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan great.

“The thing that has been most consistent is my acceptance of the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam,” said Mr. Muhammad.

Final Call News articles by Askia Muhammad (FinalCall.com News)

Acclaimed journalist debuts photo exhibit at new Muslim museum (FCN, 06-20-2007)

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