In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
As-Salaam Alaikum on behalf of the staff, hundreds of girls, and women we serve and have served, we regret to inform you of the passing of a long-time supporter and friend, and keynote to our annual anniversary events, Sister Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad, National Spokesperson to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam August 25, 2022.
An official statement from the Nation of Islam and her Janazah Services (funeral) details are below.
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There are no words adequate enough to express my deep love for her or even my sadness. At the time of this writing, it has been a week and I finally summoned the strength of my being to type how much she meant to me, our team, and the countless women and girls she inspired in Detroit and all over the world.
If I had to use a word to express my sentiment and love for her it would be "Grace". Grace because she was elegant, beautiful, mild-mannered, yet bold and fearless at all times. She displayed dignity and was never found other than herself.
And when we would sit down for dinner, I would learn early on she was a comedian. Smile. I enjoyed many many conversations with her and her husband over dinner. I love her. I miss her and it hurts. But as she would say, "Trust and Believe" we will be all right.
We are a small organization and whatever we gave her as a love offering many times she wouldn't accept. I am moved to tears by that generosity alone. Sister Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad was a fan of Girl 2 Goddess and she was my personal friend. She loved our organization and the work we are doing in the City of Detroit.
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For 10 years she graced us with her heavenly presence to be the keynote of our annual anniversary events. At our last event in 2019, Mother Daughter Sisters (pictured above), we had the BEST time. The love and energy in the room was magnetic and so high-spirited, that you couldn't penetrate the bond of love and joy we shared that day, even if you tried. #Facts
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Never once did she decline our invitation to keynote our events. I thank Allah for blessing me to overcome my fear to ask her to speak at our first major event in 2009. I have some regrets, but that ISN'T ONE OF THEM. It was one of the best decisions I've made. Because of that one decision, a sisterhood and friendship was born. I will cherish our interactions for the rest of my life of service.
Let me be very clear, our support was definitely mutual because I never wanted to take advantage of our relationship. I believe I have purchased every book, masterclass, etc. she has released. I supported her work with Project Separation and organized both events in Detroit (2018 and Saviours' Day 2020). She called me her, "Secret Weapon who works behind the scene to get things done."
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I am grateful. I am full of love for her, her husband, two daughters, two grandchildren, and her family, and send my deepest condolences to them, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, the Shura Executive Council, and our entire Nation of Islam. She will be missed, but not forgotten.
Allah Willing, we are in the planning stages of honoring her legacy. Stay tuned.
Lastly dear family, please support her work by purchasing every book and masterclass you can at www.ministerava.com
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Your Sister & Servant
Mahalieka Muhammad
Co-Founder and Director
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IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL I BEAR WITNESS THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH AND MUHAMMAD IS HIS MESSENGER.
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CHICAGO—Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad, the Official National Spokesperson for the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam as well as a member of the Nation of Islam’s Executive Council, departed this life on Thursday, August 25, 2022. The Nation of Islam Minister was 71 years old. Details about Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad’s janazah (funeral) service will be forthcoming.
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Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad was a staunch defender of The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Teachings of The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. An attorney by profession, prior to joining the Nation of Islam, Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad served as a prosecutor in New York City. After joining the Nation of Islam, she was instrumental in representing the Nation of Islam and giving valued advice and guidance on legal issues to Minister Farrakhan and Nation of Islam officials.
Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad is the first Muslim woman in modern history to occupy a position of authority over a mosque anywhere in the world. She served as the Nation of Islam’s Southern Regional Minister, as well as the Minister of Muhammad Mosque No. 15 in Atlanta, Ga from 1998 until 2000. Later, she was appointed as Minister Farrakhan’s National Spokesperson.
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Of Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad’s many accomplishments in service to the Nation of Islam was her transcribing of Minister Farrakhan’s words, which became a series of study guides and a cornerstone for the spiritual development of Nation of Islam members, titled, “Self-Improvement: The Basis For Community Development.” Those teachings and guidance are infused in the many books and articles she published and through her radio show and podcast called “Elevated Places.”
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Born Ava Atkinson to William and Gladys Atkinson, both educators in Columbus, Ohio, Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad attended Columbus East High School and graduated with honors early from Central State University with a degree in history. She earned a law degree from Georgetown University in 1975.
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In 1980, Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad and her mother were diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent traditional treatments. Having lost her father to lung cancer, she found herself in search of spiritual answers to these overwhelming circumstances. In late 1981, she attended a lecture by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. After hearing him she accepted Islam as her faith and joined the Nation of Islam. In 1983 she relocated to Chicago to serve as a legal advisor to the Nation of Islam. In 1985, she entered the ministry.
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Honoring Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad on August 28th during Sunday service at Mosque Maryam, Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, National Assistant Minister to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, referred to Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad as a “beautiful, beautiful, beautiful woman” in Islam. “She was at the top of the class of student ministers of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan,” he said, “No one defended the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan better than Minister Ava Muhammad. That’s a fact.”
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Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad was a sought-out national speaker, particularly at Black universities and colleges, and was a frequent presenter at the popular Essence Music Festival and other large Black gatherings. She was recognized by Essence Magazine as one of the thirty most influential Black women in America in its 30th Anniversary edition in the year 2000.
Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad was married to Brother Darius Muhammad. For the 33 years of their marriage, he supported her in her work for the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam, including traveling extensively domestically and internationally. She was a mother of two children and a grandmother of two grandchildren.
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We thank Allah (God) for his gift to us of Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad, and her service to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. Her work on behalf of Minister Farrakhan in raising and uplifting the consciousness of Black and oppressed peoples is her legacy that will live on in our memory, and in the history of the Nation of Islam.
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Visit www.finalcall.com to learn more about her legacy and future extensive articles on her life and the legacy she leaves.
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