Saviours' Day 2010:

The Time and What Must Be Done

Photo: Kenneth Wright

Tens of thousands of people will converge on Chicago during the last weekend of February to celebrate the eightieth year of the Nation of Islam’s inception.

The keynote address on Sunday, February 28th to be delivered by Minister Louis Farrakhan is surrounding the theme, “The Time and What Must Be Done.”

There will be no shortage of celebrities and among those attending are Susan Taylor, Warren Ballentine, Wyclef Jean, Raheem DeVaughn, Rick Ross and Frank Lucas profiled in American Gangster, Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, and co-director of The Book of Eli, Allen Hughes.

Saviours’ Day weekend includes many workshops and panel discussions. Farrakhan’s Assistant Minister Ishmael Muhammad says, “The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan established nine ministries to serve the needs of our people and community.

“During our celebratory weekend honoring the Founder of the Nation of Islam Master Fard Muhammad and the one He raised up among us, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, we will offer workshops and panel discussions on topics that address the social ills and challenges of our community. We invite all to come so that we may fellowship while learning from each other.”

The Nation of Islam was offered medical scholarships from Fidel Castro where inner city students would study medicine and become doctors as long as they commit to returning home to serve their communities. The Ministry of Health will conduct panels on these scholarship opportunities and other areas of discussion such as home schooling.

The Ministry of Education will host workshops on leadership development and Minister Ishmael says, “We will discuss how the next generation can be creatively involved in meeting current social challenges within the historical context of our struggle as a people. This generation has a challenge to continue the struggle though not necessarily in the same way of days past.”

Presenters will also discuss mentorship. Not only to young people but the development of a re-entry program for ex-offenders to transition back into society. “After paying your debt to society, a second chance should be given but the ex-offender cannot get a decent job and secure gainful employment because his crimal record is held against him. We want to stop the vicious cycle of recidivism where many of them who come out of prison go back to a life of crime simply to make ends meet, thus reentering prison.”

Entrepreneurs and those interested in economic development will be interested in workshops with the Ministry of Trade and Commerce. Making the most of social networking will be the focus of the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Defense will conduct training on how to prepare for and manage disasters that the NOI believes will increase such as the earthquake in Haiti.

There will also be a Children’s Village, a Teen Summit, a relationship discussion, and an exhibit highlighting eight decades of the Nation of Islam with evening performances of R & B, comedy, and jazz.

Minister Ishmael says, “We are extremely proud of the Nation of Islam’s history and excited to celebrate 80 years of serving our people in America and throughout the world. We certainly hope and ask that everyone will make Saviours’ Day weekend a destination for the entire family.”

Saviours’ Day workshops will be held in Rosemont on February 26th and 27th.The Keynote Address delivered by Minister Louis Farrakhan will be at the United Center on Sunday, February 28th.

For tickets and more information, call 773-324-6000 and visit www.noisd.org.