The Nation of Islam Student Association Returns to Campus After More Than 10 Years

Approximately 10 years ago, students could not walk the Yard without seeing a member of the Nation of Islam Student Association. Members dominated student government and served as the eyes, ears and voice of Howard; but slowly, the voice dissipated into a whisper until Friday when the members came out swinging.

According to Brother Jalil Muhammad, junior history major and member of the Nation of Islam, Friday was the first time in over two decades that the association participated in campus events. On the first Friday of the semester, Muhammad Mosque No. 7 from Harlem showed off their discipline in a drill exhibition.

"We have always been present," Muhammad said. "Today marks the beginning of our official return."

Sister Akilah Muhammad, sophomore film production major, said the return is to bring back the Nation of Islam of the 90's. According to Muhammad, Howard had a chapel mosque with regular service every Sunday, the presidents of the Howard University Student Association (HUSA) were members of the Nation and they were a respected and revered organization.

"The National of Islam is a nation of peace and righteousness formed for serving the needs of Black people and all of human kind. It is the spiritual, mental and economic resurrection of Black people in America, in particular, but all of humanity," said Jalil Muhammad. "We teach them not only who they are, but who God is."

Brother Tariq Muhammad X, member of Muhammad Mosque No. 7, said their job is not to convert people to Islam but to try to make a difference in the communities. In his own community, Muhammad X said that drug dealers were taking over until he and his brothers banded together in an effort to clean up and preserve their neighborhood.

"It teaches you to be a man. It teaches you to be a solider, stand up for what you believe in," said Ishmael Muhammad from Muhammad Mosque No. 7. "We believe in Allah."

According to Muhammad X, the Nation of Islam is trying to strengthen our brotherhood, our family. He said that it is about building a family to protect your brother and being there for one another to fight obstacles that may seem insurmountable.

Muhammad X said Muhammad Mosque No. 7 hosts drill exhibitions on a regular basis to allow the community to become familiar with their purpose to eliminate alienation.

"When youth see this, when they see something completely out of the norm, it's like a shock," Ishmael Muhammad said.

The exhibition team has traveled to Atlanta where they won a competition, in an effort to reach out to youth across the nation.

According to Jalil Muhammad, the Nation teaches people to be economically industrious, morally astute and how to love themselves and one another.

At a school in Long Island, Muhammad Mosque No. 7 ran a series of drills, which taught students respect and discipline. Muhammad X said that teachers were amazed to see their students exhibit respectful behavior.

Muhammad X said that he believes that students had to learn to respect themselves and expect to be respected in return; a trait he said is missing from their education.

"Over the years the Nation of Islam Student Association just stopped being present, but we are here to bring it back," Akilah Muhammad said.

There's nothing spooky about what we're doing. We all believe in one God."

Akilah Muhammad said that this group visiting the university is just a start and students will be aware of a student association that focuses on the empowerment of African-Americans.

As a continuation of last year the association will host forums asking the questions: what is black consciousness, how do we value the black woman and other controversial topics.

The association plans to hold a relationship workshop featuring Nisa Islam, who was featured in CNN's "Black in America 2," on Sept. 23.

According to Muhammad X, the Nation of Islam is trying to strengthen our brotherhood, our family. He said that it is about building a family to protect your brother. It is about being there for one another to fight obstacles that may seem insurmountable.

Muhammad X said Muhammad Mosque No. 7 hosts these drill exhibitions on a regular basis to allow the community to become familiar with their purpose to eliminate alienation.

"When youth see this, when they see something completely out of the norm, it's like a shock," Ishmael Muhammad said.

The exhibition team has traveled to other areas of the country, such as Atlanta where they won a competition, in an effort to reach out to youth across the nation.

According to Jalil Muhammad, the Nation teaches people to be economically industrious, morally astute and how to love themselves and one another.

At a school in Long Island, Muhammad Mosque No. 7 ran a series of drills, which taught students respect and discipline. Muhammad X said that teachers were amazed to see their students exhibit respectful behavior.

Muhammad X said that he believes that students had to learn to respect themselves and expect to be respected in return; a trait he said is missing from their education.

"Over the years the Nation of Islam Student Association just stopped being present, but we are here to bring it back," Akilah Muhammad said.