“By Minister Farrakhan addressing the Deen Intensive Academy, it shows the importance of the Nation of Islam continuing to learn aspects of the faith. This weekend provides that necessary information,” Abdul Akbar Muhammad, International Representative of the Nation of Islam, told The Final Call.
“We’ve also asked the presenters to teach on Hajj and Umrah to help prepare us for the Minister to take 10,000 to Hajj in 2015 or 2016.”
Deen Intensive Academy is the brainchild of Imam Abdul Jalil Muhammad and the first one was held outside of Washington, D.C. in August. The initiative is designed to help the development of Islamic scholars for the 21st Century and beyond who will be equipped to meet the challenges of a faith that currently has a growing base of 1.6 billion people.
“Deen Intensive Academy yearns to be a safe haven where believers can continue to learn the Deen (Religion) of Islam and dispense it properly to people who are thirsting and hungering for it. This is just my small advancement of making Islam real in our lives,” said Imam Abdul Jalil Muhammad.
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For years he had been to many Islamic workshops but few were in the inner city where Blacks are rushing to Islam. That lack of opportunity inspired him to start DIA.
He was also inspired out of the concern for more unity among Muslims, recognizing the value of various leading voices such as the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, Imams Siraj Wahhaj, Zaid Shakir, Abdul Malik and others who were making tireless efforts to raise the banner of Islam in their respective works.
“I asked Allah to give me the strength and the help to bring about a brotherhood within the Muslim community with the Nation of Islam and the broad Muslim community,” Imam Abdul Jalil disclosed.
But not only Black American Muslims, he added. “I want Minister Farrakhan to get to know people like Hamza Yusuf; I want him to sit down and talk to people like Suhaib Webb; I want Suhaib Webb to hear the Minister’s energy … I want people like Yusuf Estes and all Black American Muslims, Indonesian Muslims, Pakistani Muslims; I want them to hear what Minister Farrakhan has on his heart—but there’s a divide.”
Imam Abdul Jalil organized the first Deen Intensive Academy with help from his wife, Nisa Islam Muhammad, who heavily promoted it on the Ramadan Prayerline.
“Every year during Ramadan, we bring a wide selection of Islamic scholars to present to the thousands who listen each morning to the recordings. Each year the audience wants more and more. Deen Intensive Academy is an opportunity for more. Believers spend quality time learning more about the religion they love and cherish,” said Mrs. Muhammad.
“Houston was the first city to ask us to bring it there after they heard how exciting it was going to be. Since the first Deen Intensive we’ve been asked to bring it all around the country. Houston is our next stop. We’re very excited about the program and look forward to serving the believers.”
Yahya Sharieff traveled from St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands to attend the first DIA. “I listened to Sis. Nisa talk about this program during the Ramadan Prayerline. She mentioned all the dignitaries that would be here. I made up my mind then that I was coming. It was so beautiful and inspirational. The imams and various speakers raised the bar of what the Honorable Elijah Muhammad wanted for us,” he said.
For Zarinah Shakir who traveled from Trenton, NJ to attend, the weekend was, “Excellent. That’s the one word I wrote on my evaluation. This was long overdue and a wonderful experience. The organizers outdid themselves.”
(For more information and to register visit www.deenintensiveacademy.com.)
