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Celebrate 30-year anniversary of Muhammad University of Islam Sept. 8

By Tariqah Shakir-Muhammad -Final Call Newspaper- | Last updated: Aug 21, 2019 - 8:52:53 AM

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CHICAGO—Muhammad University of Islam will celebrate its 30-year anniversary since being reestablished by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, National Representative of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. The fundraiser and banquet entitled “An Evening of Celebration,” will be held Sept. 8 at the South Shore Cultural Center on Chicago’s South Side, 7059 South Shore Drive. Doors open at 6 p.m.

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Muhammad University of Islam is the independent school system established in 1934 in Michigan by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad to cultivate and educate Black children who suffered from miseducation and hostility in the public school system. It was a sacrifice for the early Muslims who took their children out of the public school system for the right to teach them properly. Elijah Muhammad and many of his followers were unjustly jailed for “contributing to the delinquency of minors.” Min. Farrakhan reestablished MUI 30 years ago on Sept. 6, 1989.

The goal of MUI is to cultivate its pupils’ gifts, talents, mind, body and spirit and emphasize the most important components of education, the knowledge of God and self.

Part of the celebration will be dedicated to honoring the alumni and the 1989 school administration for their dedication and sacrifice in servicing the university. “We are thankful and excited for this opportunity to help raise monetary funds to build on the foundation that was laid by every individual that has ever contributed to the rise of Islam in America. All proceeds will be donated to the student/staff supplies, educational programs and the continued development of Muhammad University of Islam,” said Fard Muhammad, president of the MUI Alumni Association in Chicago.

During an Aug. 9 Chicago gathering of MUI alumni who attended the school from the 1950s through the 1970s hosted by Sharon Ali Muhammad at the Salaam Restaurant, Malik Ziyad told The Final Call he was blessed to receive the quality of education of MUI.

“We were disciplined not just physically but we were also disciplined mentally, and it allowed us to excel in our communities actually,” he said.

“The University of Islam—just think of it this way—when a person goes to public school, they start out at the lower level of learning which is your grammar school and then you go to middle school, then to high school and then you go into higher learning which would be your colleges. My first school was a university so that would explain the level.”

Imam Omar Abdul Karim, who graduated from MUI in 1979, said being a student there has no comparison elsewhere. “There’s nothing that can compare in the educational system to the education we got and received from the University of Islam,” he said.

“When I finally got a chance to go to the public school system, I really found out the value of what we had, it was almost like a diamond in the grass. You can’t compare it. The Nation of Islam produced some great people.”

All are welcome to “An Evening of Celebration: Muhammad University of Islam 30th Year Anniversary Celebration.” Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the program starts at 7:00 p.m and will include a live band, DJ, dinner and souvenirs. Student Minister Nuri Muhammad of Indianapolis will deliver the keynote address. Tickets are $100 and is a tax deductible donation and can be purchased on Eventbrite.com.