Nation of Islam to open doors to whites, other races
Stephanie Gadlin/NNPA Special Correspondent
Issue date: 10/26/08 Section: Divine Intervention
CHICAGO (NNPA) - As the message of "change" resonates throughout America, the African-American Muslim community may be in line for a change of its own.
That's when the Nation of Islam (NOI) will reportedly extend its membership to Whites, Hispanics, Asians and other ethnic groups under the leadership of Minister Louis Farrakhan. The announcement was made last Sunday when the NOI leader hosted a special dedication service at his South Side worship center.
The move comes six weeks after the Sept. 9 death of Imam Warith Deen Mohammad, who denounced the teachings of his famous father, Elijah Mohammad, when he took over the helm of the organization in 1975. The reforms, which included renaming it the World Community of Al Islam in the West (and later American Muslim Mission), relaxing its dress code, removing its paramilitary infrastructure and renouncing Whites as "blue-eyed devils," were replaced with efforts to move the faith toward orthodox Islam. The measures angered some converts of the man they called "The Messenger," and according to a 1996 NOI press release "disoriented many of the followers and lead to the Nation's financial ruin."
In 1977, Farrakhan - the former national spokesman for Mohammad - reestablished the traditional NOI and began reuniting disillusioned members. His passionate rhetoric of Black self-help and resistance to White supremacy enamored him in the eyes of many African Americans, including many who were not members of his group.
The Muslim leader's rebuilding efforts flew under the radar of those who would become his staunchest critics - Jews and the American government - until he drew national media attention for comments made in reference to attacks against Rev. Jesse Jackson's 1984 presidential campaign.
Ironically, 20 years later, the corporate media took complementary remarks Farrakhan made about Illinois Senator Barack Obama at his international Savior's Day in what some viewed as an effort by the media to sabotage the Democrat's historic presidential run by linking him to the controversial Muslim.
That's when the Nation of Islam (NOI) will reportedly extend its membership to Whites, Hispanics, Asians and other ethnic groups under the leadership of Minister Louis Farrakhan. The announcement was made last Sunday when the NOI leader hosted a special dedication service at his South Side worship center.
The move comes six weeks after the Sept. 9 death of Imam Warith Deen Mohammad, who denounced the teachings of his famous father, Elijah Mohammad, when he took over the helm of the organization in 1975. The reforms, which included renaming it the World Community of Al Islam in the West (and later American Muslim Mission), relaxing its dress code, removing its paramilitary infrastructure and renouncing Whites as "blue-eyed devils," were replaced with efforts to move the faith toward orthodox Islam. The measures angered some converts of the man they called "The Messenger," and according to a 1996 NOI press release "disoriented many of the followers and lead to the Nation's financial ruin."
In 1977, Farrakhan - the former national spokesman for Mohammad - reestablished the traditional NOI and began reuniting disillusioned members. His passionate rhetoric of Black self-help and resistance to White supremacy enamored him in the eyes of many African Americans, including many who were not members of his group.
The Muslim leader's rebuilding efforts flew under the radar of those who would become his staunchest critics - Jews and the American government - until he drew national media attention for comments made in reference to attacks against Rev. Jesse Jackson's 1984 presidential campaign.
Ironically, 20 years later, the corporate media took complementary remarks Farrakhan made about Illinois Senator Barack Obama at his international Savior's Day in what some viewed as an effort by the media to sabotage the Democrat's historic presidential run by linking him to the controversial Muslim.
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Brian E. Muhammad
posted 10/27/08 @ 9:47 PM EST
As a student and follower of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and one who has been involved in his international work and efforts, I am compelled to say that the "New Beginning" that the Minister layed out on Oct. (Continued…)
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