Many people have been introduced to the Nation of Islam (NOI) through a variety of sources, most notably speeches from its leader, Minister Louis Farrakhan, films such as Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” and members who stand on street corners in sharp black suits selling the Final Call newspaper and incense.
In Indianapolis, people are getting to know the NOI in new ways, thanks to the organization’s growing local affiliate, Muhammad Mosque No. 74 and its popular leader, Minister Nuri Muhammad.
Speaking in reference to the mosque itself, Muhammad said it was designed from the “mental blueprint” of Farrakhan, who believes that the NOI’s mosques should be equipped to help meet the needs of the community.
“He felt like the ideal mosque would be a place where adults could be given an education and worship, but also where children had a school, and our people could get good food and take care of their necessities,” Muhammad said.
As soon as Farrakhan made this concept known 12 years ago, Muhammad and other local NOI members began pulling together resources to construct the mosque, which is located on East 38th Street and is now among the fastest growing of NOI’s centers.
Currently, Mosque No. 74 also has regular worship and prayer services, Bismallah Day Care, Eat to Live Café, which serves healthy food items, and Studio 74 that functions as a barbershop and beauty salon.
Another element of NOI’s increased local presence is its stronger emphasis on community outreach initiatives.
At least twice a week, advance teams of NOI members visit various neighborhoods, meeting with area police officials, neighborhood associations, apartment complex managers and other venues that can help them reach residents.
“They welcome us in our effort to be a blessing as we encourage people to look out for each other, not wreak havoc in the neighborhood, make sure our children get on the bus safe, that we help the elderly, make sure that we don’t throw trash out of our window when we’re driving through the ghetto,” Muhammad said. “Simple but important things.”
He added that NOI’s purpose with the effort is to inspire every male to see himself as the “father, brother or uncle” of every citizen and child in the area, and every woman to view herself as a mother, aunt or sister.
NOI advance teams go door to door, not to sell anything, but to present materials with helpful information and links to online sites.
“If some are really interested and want to do more we invite them to the mosque to get some additional training, and our goal is to produce liasions for peace in the neighorboods,” Muhammad said. “We’re not going to make converts, just to see if people will be liasions for peace and prosperity in this community.”
Local NOI members say an increase in the organization’s local activism and presence is due in large part to the leadership of Muhammad, 38, who became minister in 1996 when the local organization was still a study group, the stage before a chapter is large enough to become a mosque.
Muhammad’s life was aimless during his teen years and he made poor grades in school. He joined the Nation of Islam at the age of 17, and began to take pride in his heritage after the organization taught him about various aspects of African-American history.
“My grades improved and I became more focused, because I realized that I’m a descendant of people who built the pyramids and great civilizations,” Muhammad said.
Muhammad became active in all aspects of the local NOI study group and a student of the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. He soon became the local assistant minister.
Muhammad moved to Chicago, home of the NOI headquarters, in 1994 to continue his study in ministry. Around the same time he was married to his wife, Terri, and they are now the proud parents of a son and two daughters.
Upon his return to Indianapolis in 1996, Muhammad assisted in the ministry until he became the active coordinator of the study group. Within six months of Muhammad becoming leader, the Indianapolis group was chartered as a mosque, and has been named the most improved and most outstanding mosque in NOI’s Central Region.
“Our primary purpose in the Nation is to educate our people, spiritually and mentally, and to unite our people beyond labels, beyond religion and beyond social affiliations,” Muhammad said. “If you are one of the original people, we want to figure out how we can pull your gifts with ours so that wherever you are we can support you, and wherever we are you can support us.”
During Farrakhan’s visit to Indianapolis in 2005, he gave Muhammad the holy name “Nuri,” which comes from Al-Nur, meaning “the light.”
Presenting himself with a warm common touch as well as a secure intellectual confidence in his cause, Muhammad has become one of the most in-demand NOI speakers.
“Brother Nuri is a man of high character and humility,” said Mosque No. 74 member Thomas X. “He’s been doing a good job in striving to make the vision that the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has to deliver our people from a state of death to life, into something that manifests here in Indianapolis.”
Next week: Nuri Muhammad discusses the Nation of Islam’s beliefs, its stereotypes and its future. Minister Louis Farrakhan’s weekly address, The Time and What Must Be Done, can be heard Saturday’s at 7 p.m. Eastern Time by visiting NOI.org/TheTime.
