Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / May 8, 1997, edition 1 / Page 3
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3A NEWS/ The Charlotte Post Thursday, May 8, 1997 Muhammad leads Charlotte NOI Stability Is Just One Of Our Benefits Continued from page 1A afternoons reading, rather than playing with others children in Grier Heights, where he grew up. “I told a lady ‘I ain’t never seen anybody read as much as this boy,’” Withers said. “The lady would give him $10 on his birth day so he could buy a book.” ; Even in elementary school, Muhammad listened closely to speakers who came to the school or on visits to Queens College. “He would remember what they said, too,” Withers said. Muhammad enrolled at CPCC, then UNC Charlotte, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology, with minors in black studies and criminal justice in 1991. Muhammad was attracted to the Nation of Islam after read ing “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” as well as learning about of Elijah Muhammad, fotmder of the Nation of Islam. He joined the Nation in 1990 and in 1994 was named minister ■for the Charlotte area, a title bestowed on him by Farrakhan. Muhammad said he didn’t plan ;to become a minister. ; “If you daydream and if you -pre inspired by the teachings of I Minister Farrakhan and other 1 ministers, you envision having the same kind of abihty for your- jself,” Muhammad said. “I could ^ not imagine actually having the .•duties of minister. I feel hon- • ored. To me, this is the best job you could ever hope to have. I 'am honored to walk in the steps tof someone as great as Minister 'Farrakhan and to help bring j Islam to Charlotte.” .• A typical day begins at 5 a m., he said. It may end at 1 or 2 a.m. the next morning, depending on his schedule or workload. “There is not any part of, mv daily life that is not in some way impacted by the Nation of Islam,” Muhammad said. “It is very high profile. People see you. People you. come in contact with in the workplace, in the commu nity, recognize me and they have to talk about their probleihs and Graduation ends a long journey Continued from page 1A Piedmont Community College, Murray trans ferred to Smith only to drop out in 1993 to search for her son Dexter, who has been missing since 1990. She decided to go back to school in January. “The more I thought about it, there was no way I could let that go to waste,” Murray said. “When j^ou need only 13 credit hours, you don’t want that to go down the drain. It was hard, but I knocked it out.” Murray, who works for Charlotte Area Fund, said she enjoys being a college student. Although she’s older than most of her classmates, every day is a learning experience. “You would think that would be a problem, but it wasn’t. All the students were just so nice,” she said. “I just fit right in. I had a great time. You feel good when you can be older than the other students and teachers and they work with you. I really enjoyed it.” Murray expects to have a large contingent of sup porters show up at Ovens Auditorium for commence ment. Four of her five chil dren - sons Andre, Amorosa and Willie and daughter Cynthia - will be in town, as will a sister and cousins. But Murray’s big day wouldn’t be possible, she said, without some faith and hard work. “You keep going and giv ing the praises to God,” she said. “It’s been a tremen dous blessing. There ain’t no stopping when you give the credit to God.” concerns. Co-worker Claude Williams, an AME Zion minister, said Muhammad is “the most right eous brother I know.” He said Muhammad has a “very low level tolerance for hypocrisy.” “He has been a fiiend who has stood with me when others wouldn’t,” Williams said. “We have worked on a number of community projects together. Even though he is a “Muslim and I am a Christian, I consider him a brother in the struggle.” Muhammad said though his ministry involves long hours and little rest, he accepts the role gladly. “It is a very intensive job, but it is a labor of love,” he said. “I have a vision of what we can accomplish locally. It is seven days a week, 365 days a year. 'There’s no vacation time.” Miihammad and his wife, for merly Lisa Williams, have no children. She followed him into the Nation about a year after he joined and they were married in 1993. Her mother, Diane Williams, has become a surro gate daughter to Muhammad’s grandmother, who is now 87, visiting regularly and helping care for her. Lisa Muhammad does free lance artwork and desktop pub lishing. Robert Muhammad’s interest in computers has led him to design an Internet web page which should be on fine shortly. Major accomplishments of the aD e Box Braids Cornrows Profe ssional African Hair Braiding and Weaving Receive Up to 20% off Senegalese twist • Micro braids Weaving and more Synthetic • "Pw Maintence 4801 N. Tryon St. • Suite M • Beside PEP BOYS OPEN 6 Days A Week 9:30 - until (704)599-9200 local mosque under his leader ship include the Nation’s partici pation in organizing the Black Monday demonstration led by another UNCC. alumnus, Benjamin Chavis Muhammad. Robert Muhammad is also proud of the Nation’s participa tion in an HIV/AIDS week, dur ing which the mosque at 3300 Tuckaseegee Road hosted a workshop. ‘That was dehiiitely a way to break down barriers,” he said. As with most ministers, saving the lost brings him the greatest joy. “There is nothing more ful filling that seeing the light go on in someone’s mind,” Muhammad said. “We sometimes forget the nation was founded by those who were believed to be castofis with no consequence to the greater society.” Muhammad is determined to make sure everyone has access to the teachings of the Nation and its community. T am aware enough to know that those that do have certain perceptions, there are mecha nisms to employ to alleviate those fears or perceptions,” he said. “Some are not interested in changing. I try to be more toler ant and open-minded.” Phillip Rorie Mr. Phillip Rorie First Citizens Bank Plaza 1776 S. Tryon St. (704)372-9481 .iRffRIiSfin PIIOl INSURANCE / FINANCIAL SERVICES EVERYTHING DRASTICALLY REDUCED! No Interest • No Payments Until 1998’ •ELEGANT PLUSH CARPET *5.99 SQ. YD! • CERAMIC TILE (Over 3000 Sq, Ft) 89^ SQ. FT! " ‘URETHANE VINYL FL00R]NG,.,‘8.99 SQ. 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May 8, 1997, edition 1
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