By Tariqah Shakir-Muhammad, Staff Writer
- August 8, 2023
A final salute was made to Brother Minister Jabril Muhammad in a sentimental and beautiful interment ceremony on August 2 at the Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary in Phoenix, Arizona.
The “exemplar in the classroom of God” and longtime companion, aide and supreme witness to the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan departed this life on July 16. The Janazah (Islamic prayer service) for Minister Jabril Muhammad was held on July 30 at Mosque Maryam in Chicago (See The Final Call, Vol. 42 No. 43 for the special tribute to Minister Jabril Muhammad and visit media.noi.org for a replay of the janazah service).
In Phoenix, Minister Farrakhan led the burial service sharing poignant and reflective sentiments and fitting tribute to his dear brother and friend.
“Sister Bernique Cushmeer, the mother of these children, shall always be remembered with honor and a deep and abiding respect,” said Minister Farrakhan speaking about the family of Minister Jabril Muhammad. He is survived by his wife, Sister Dr. Patina Muhammad. Minister Jabril’s legacy is carried on by his loving and devoted family, including his children from his first marriage with Sister Bernique Cushmeer: Sister Naeemah, Sister Ati Hamid, Sister Bari, Brother Elijah, and Brother Barnar.
“I shall always be grateful to Allah (God) for this man in this casket or coffin,” Minister Farrakhan continued during the August 2 service. “For what he did for me had caused me to awaken to the nature of God that would build up in me, made by the same God that made our father, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. He made me to be the helper of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. And Jabril Muhammad gets the credit eternally!” he said.
Minister Farrakhan, who is an expert violinist and released a musical project, “Let’s Change The World,” then described the importance of an aspect of music unique to composers when discussing Brother Minister Jabril. On his album, there is a song that Minister Farrakhan’s violin instructor dedicated to a close friend.
The Minister, to mark the occasion of laying Brother Minister Jabril to rest, dedicated the song to his close friend.
“Every one of the great composers made a largo, a piece that is solemn, a piece that makes one think deeply on whatever you’re thinking on. Mozart had a largo, Handel had a largo, and Beethoven had a largo, and now we have a largo for our brother, Jabril,” the Minister closed.
Minister Farrakhan, who is an expert violinist and released a musical project, “Let’s Change The World,” then described the importance of an aspect of music unique to composers when discussing Brother Minister Jabril. On his album, there is a song that Minister Farrakhan’s violin instructor dedicated to a close friend.
The Minister, to mark the occasion of laying Brother Minister Jabril to rest, dedicated the song to his close friend.
“Every one of the great composers made a largo, a piece that is solemn, a piece that makes one think deeply on whatever you’re thinking on. Mozart had a largo, Handel had a largo, and Beethoven had a largo, and now we have a largo for our brother, Jabril,” the Minister closed.
The closing prayer was performed by Student National Imam Sultan Rahman Muhammad, resident imam at Mosque Maryam in Chicago.
Participants who were present as well as those watching the livestream via social media were able to follow the service. Muslims carefully covered the coffin in silence while others reflected on the life and legacy of Jabril Muhammad as the melodic and beautiful largo played in the background.
A repast was held after the burial service at Muhammad Mosque No. 32 in Phoenix. Please see page 20 to read the message delivered by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
Final Call staff contributed to this report.
