The Arms (Weapons) of the F.O.I.
The Following is reprinted from Muhammad Speaks September 20, 1974
By Lawrence
2X
(Special to Muhammad Speaks)
LOS ANGELES - The Fruit of Islam (F.O.I.) of Temple No. 27 and surrounding areas recently were honored to receive and host one of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad's chief aides, Captain Raymond Sharrieff, Supreme Captain of the Nation of Islam.
BY SPECIAL invitation from the administrative staff of Muhammad's Temple No. 27, the Supreme Captain was on hand at a recently held F.O.I. class to spark an all-out drive on the West Coast.
The drive, conducted concurrently throughout the Nation of Islam, is threefold: to increase the distribution of Whiting H&G, imported by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad to feed hungry Black people; to also increase the sales of Muhammad Speaks newspaper, which represents spiritual food to the Black man-in-the-streets; and finally, to raise funds to complete the purchase of a jet for the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, which will enable Him to travel about the country in comfort while fulfilling His Divine mission.
THE SUPREME CAPTAIN
said that the F.O.I. is an Army but not in the traditional sense of the world's armies. It is not an army of destruction, it is an army of construction. Our arms consist of Muhammad Speaks and Whiting H&G, he added.
"We have embarked upon a national drive," he told the receptive group of men. "It is our duty as F.O.I. to push this national drive to success."
The Supreme Captain, a veteran Muslim of 41-years service, recalled how, during the 1940's when the Honorable Elijah Muhammad was arrested on various trumped charges including draft evasion, the Nation of Islam launched one of its first drives.
IN THE EARLY days of Islam, Captain Sharrieff revealed, hypocrites, disbelievers, and police were after the Messenger seeking to arrest Him or take His life. Almighty God Allah, who came in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad, to whom Praise is forever due, warned the Messenger never to stay in one town for too long. So the Honorable Elijah Muhammad went from city to city trying to avoid His enemies. As He went, He continued His work, leaving the teachings of Islam along the way.
"Finally," Captain Sharrieff remembered, "the Messenger became tired of running from the enemy so He let Himself be caught by the enemy."
THE MESSENGER of Allah, consequently, was arrested in Washington D.C. The amount required to get Him released was $5,000. At that time there were very few believers, so for a small Temple that was a sizeable sum, he said.
Setting a historical context for his audience, he pointed out, "Temple No. 27 was not around at that time, nor was 26, 25, 24 and on down the line. In fact, at that time, Temple No. 5 was not even in existence."
The Supreme Captain continued: "The Messenger sent us a success prayer while He was still in jail: this prayer was memorized by the believers. We went out in the Name of Allah, using this prayer of success, and in a short time we had raised that money.
AFTER HEARING the Supreme Captain recite the prayer that the Messenger had given the early believers, the F.O.I. responded to the beautiful and inspirational prayer by singing "All Praise is due to Allah for the Hon. Elijah Muhammad."
Present at the F.O.I. meeting were contingents of F.O.I. from Los Angeles, Compton, Watts, Long Beach, San Diego and distant Albuquerque, N.M. To the man, a commitment was made for full and complete participation in the day drive.
Upon conclusion of the class, a united vow was made to resound the name of Muhammad throughout the world.
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