Writing for a purpose

By Anisah Muhammad | Last updated: Jun 10, 2014 - 10:14:30 PM

Jr. Vanguard participated in writing seminar.

Some of the Jr. M.G.T. and Jr. Vanguard of the Nation of Islam’s Montgomery, Alabama Study Group were blessed to be on a conference call titled “Writing for a purpose.” The May 31 call was hosted by Sister Tawon Muhammad of Indianapolis, Ind. She founded the organization “Inspired Youth.”

The young women who participated on the call were Aliyyah Muhammad, Amani Muhammad, Asia Muhammad, Inaya Muhammad, Sheereen Muhammad, and me. Two brilliant writers, Shareefah Muhammad and Shahida Muhammad, joined us on the call and gave us feedback on the power of words and writing for a purpose.

The youth started by giving a couple of positive words that relates to modest dress. Those words included eloquent, virtuous, protected, civilized, righteous, dignified, and elegant.

The youth were asked the question, “What would you say to a sister who has low self-esteem about how she dresses if she doesn’t have much money for garments?” One of the responses to that question included, “What our sisters have to realize is that it doesn’t matter how you come, because no matter how you come, we will still accept you. When you come to Islam, Allah will suffice all of your needs.”

Sister Shareefah had conference call participants spitting out song lyrics. “When we listen to music, the first thing that catches us is the beat,” explained Sis. Shareefah.

“Because we are a people of rhythm, we normally fall right into loving to hear that particular song, and not really caring about what’s being said,” she continued.

“Satan’s world has a pull on us, and sometimes we don’t recognize that it’s pulling on us through our music, what we’re watching on television, and any other form of communication,” said Sis. Shareefah. Among the songs shared were Q.U.E.E.N. by Janelle Monae, an M.G.T. tribute song by Gods At War, Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free) by Lupe Fiasco, Good Girls by Nehanda and Just Do You by India Arie.

I can only speak for myself and say that it was a true learning experience. I had no idea what a “Mission Statement,” or a “Pitch” was until Sister Shahida introduced me to those phrases. My personal mission statement, or purpose for writing, is, “I love to write. I love how I can put the thoughts that I have in my head down on paper. I write for different purposes. Sometimes, it’s to make the reader laugh. Other times, it’s to make the reader think seriously. Most of the time, I use my writing to put a word of truth into the minds of the readers. I want to be able to save lives from just a couple of written words, whether those words are in the form of a poem, story, or article.”

Anisah Muhammad is a 16-year-old writer, based in Montgomery, Ala.

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