By Carole Mumin
Because of its historical significance in the Nation’s Capital as the first Mosque built from the ground up by native African American citizens, the Nation’s Mosque, Masjid Muhammad is steadily becoming a sought after destination by the State Department officials for their visiting dignitaries from countries around the globe. On August 22, 2014, the Masjid hosted twelve Senior Journalists who serve as a part of the seminar “Bridging Gaps Between the U.S. and the Muslim World.” The journalists participate in an annual travel-study program sponsored by the East-West Center. Based in Hawaii, the Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific. They accomplish their mission through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. The journalists represent various aspects of the media from local politics, sports, economics, and international news to security and drone concerns in our country. The delegation of journalists included editors, columnists and reporters who were from Palestine, Singapore, England, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand/India, Malaysia, Pakistan, as well as the United States.
To accommodate the guests, the Musalah was temporarily transformed into a meeting room and VIP dining facility. The paramount purposes of the group’s visit were to receive a briefing from the Masjid leadership, dialogue with Believers, and attend Jumah Service. Imam Talib Shareef welcomed the visitors and introduced a delegation of members from the Masjid Muhammad community that included Tahirah Shareef, Judge Hassan El-Amin, Labeebah Salaam, Ibrahim and Carole Mumin, Talib Abdus-Shahid, Naimah Muhammad, Fitrah Muhammad, and Jamilah Shabazz. Most of the questions from the journalists were about how we made the transition from the Nation of Islam to traditional Al-Islam. This was a perfect opportunity for Imam Shareef to explain our history which includes Master Fard Muhammad, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, and the importance of Imam W.D. Mohammed and how he led the successful transformation.
Other questions centered on how we interface with other Muslim communities. Imam Shareef emphasized the importance of working with other Muslim organizations. He explained that we often work together on special projects and that there is a Council of Imams organized to strengthen and maintain good communication. He said, “We Imams are serious about our responsibility to maintain good working relationships with the various Muslim organizations and groups.”
Khateeb Khoran Mustapha conducted the Jumah service. In his thoughtful Kutbah, he spoke about the importance of understanding that Prophet Muhammad (saw) was sent to all of mankind, not just to Muslims. He urged us to earnestly seek the remembrance of Allah (swt) by attending Jumah regularly. He said the angels mark us present when we attend Jumah and that they were among us at that moment. He went on to say how Jumah recharges us and gives us the energy to move forward. He asked a rhetorical question about who is setting the standards for this so-called good life. He continued by saying we must be careful not to invest our lives into the illusions we are fed daily. He concluded by saying how we must seek refuge with Allah (swt) and that Allah (swt) is the foundation that keeps us grounded and balanced.
The group continued their questioning outside in front of the Masjid and was escorted to a waiting bus. Imam Shareef said these events require an “all hands on deck” from the Believers. Coordination is a priority and he is grateful to the community for their patience and cooperation. Vinola El-Amin, a Masjid pioneer, who assisted in the preparations and was watching the activities with a smile, remarked how we have come a long way in a short time from the Nation of Islam to true Al-Islam in her lifetime.