"Call to the way of thy Lord"
with wisdom and goodly exhortation,
"and argue with them in the best manner."
Continuing on in the series, My walk with Farrakhan, we will examine the Million Man March on October 16th, 1995 called by God through The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
It is amazing to think that 12 years have passed since that beautiful day on the Washington mall with nearly 2 million black men congregating in love. From that day until this day many have not understood the purpose for the march nor its goal by the author. Who was the ultimate author of the Million Man March and for what cause?
Minister Farrakhan while speaking to the gathered men reminded them,
"You came not at the call of Louis Farrakhan, but you have gathered here at the call of God." For it is only the call of Almighty God, no matter through whom that call came, that could generate this kind of outpouring. God called us here to this place. At this time. "For a very specific reason."
Minister Farrakhan said that have called for the "march" in response to the global pitiful image of black men as portrayed in film, music and the media some. I further stated that I wanted to show an example to the world that black men can and must unite together in love and harmony to affect positive change in our communities.
The call of the Million Man March is rooted in biblical tradition of Jesus calling Lazarus from the grave. However, today a modern day man of God is calling to people, not from a physical grave of death, but from a mental-spiritual severe of death and ignorance.
Let us review John 11: 43-44 for clarity
"And when I had spoken thus, I cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth." And I have that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. "Jesus saith unto them, loose him, and let him go."
The Holy Qur'an ' an bears witness in similar words
"We have revealed to thee that"
thou mayest bring forth men, by their
Lord's permission, from darkness
"into light, to the way of the Mighty, the Praised One"
When you look at the black community then as well as now it becomes clear that we are in need of to healing and resurrection of our minds.
My condition at the time of the Million Man March
At the time of the call of the Million Man March my life was similar to the life you see many young black men participating in. I walked with my pants hanging of my behind (sagging). I didn't attend school much and did not take serious authority. I spent my nights getting drunk and/or high with drugs. I thought I was living the good life in my downgraded life of without. I didn't know at the time, but Almighty God was preparing me for bigger and better things.
I was told by my mother, who was fed up with my behavior, she was required me to stay home and watch the Million Man March. She told me that since I can't do anything with you maybe Farrakhan can put some sense in your head.
I sat at home watching the many men and speakers on that blessed day on October16th, 1995 and was being transformed on the inside by Almighty God's spirit. However, when I heard Minister Farrakhan speak I received a message, not so much in words, but I felt him speaking directly from his spirit to my spirit. I took the pledge of the Million Man March and decided to begin the journey towards elevation.
The pledge of The Million Man March asked(by_Minister_Farrakhan) encouraged us to do the following things,
"Take this pledge with me." Say with me please, I say your name, pledge that from this day forward I will strive to love my brother as I love myself.
I say your name, from this day forward will strive to improve myself spiritually, morally, mentally, socially, politically, and economically for the benefit of myself, my family, and my people.
I say your name, pledge that I will strive to build business, build houses, build hospitals, build factories, and then to enter international trade for the good of myself, my family, and my people.
I say your name, pledge that from this day forward I will never raise my hand with to knife or a gun to beat, cut, or shoot any member of my family or any human being, except in self - defense.
I say your name, pledge from this day forward I will never abuse my wife by striking here, disrespecting her for she is the mother of my children and the producer of my future.
I say your name, pledge that from this day forward I will never engage in the abuse of children, little boys, little girls for sexual gratification or. But I will let them grow in peace to be strong men and women for the future of our people.
I say your name, will never again use the B word to describe my female, but particularly my own Black sister.
I say your name, pledge from this day forward that I will not poison my body with drugs or that which is destructive to my health and my well being.
I say your name, pledge from this day forward, I will support Black newspapers, Black radio, Black television. I will support Black artists, who clean up their acts to show respect for themselves and respect for their people, and respect for the ears of the human family.
"I, say your name, will do all of this so help me God."
I know where I came from and where I was inspired to go as a direct result of the call of the Million Man March. I will never let anyone disrespect that day by saying it didn't achieve anything. I was a man that was lost, but was inspired to be a better person by the truth and presence of Minister Farrakhan at the Million Man March.
I like to use the example of to patient going to doctor as an example of the Million Man March. You can't blame a doctor if you are sick and you go to a doctor to heal you and the doctor prescribes you a prescription, however you never go home and take the prescription, so you die. Such doctor cannot be charged with malpractice. It is the responsibility of both the doctor to prescribe and the patient to take the medicine to affect healing.
Do In conclusion what medicine did "doctor" Farrakhan give to black men at the Million Man March?
In the following words I gave the ultimate medicine and purpose for our presence at the "march",
"Well, some of us are here because it's making history." Some of us are here because it's a march through which we can express anger and rage with America for what she has and is doing to us. So, we're here for many reasons but the basic reason while this was called was for atonement and reconciliation. "So, it is necessary for me in as short of time as possible to give as full an explanation of atonement as possible."
I have gave us the following summation of 8 steps of atonement
1) Point out the wrong
(2) Acknowledge the wrong
(3) Confess fault
Repentance (4)
Atonement (5)
(6) Forgiveness
(7) Reconciliation and restoration
(8) Perfect union with God
Long live the spirit of the Million Man March!
Mustafaa Muhammad is an "African American" who is a follower of the Islamic faith. Through independent religious studies developed an ecumenical view of the world's religions and the people of God. And while he is devoted to Islam his faith as he is at home in the Church(or_other_religious_institutions) as he is in the Mosque.
I've been featured on the Radio, Newspapers, public speaking events and at Mosques / Churches telling his story and offering his understanding of Almighty God's plan for salvation.
Mustafaa is involved in community activity. I believes that our faith must inspire us to greater service to humanity or we may be making a mockery of the purpose of faith. Contact him @ [http://brothermustafaa.com]