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Farrakhan: Unity needed to fully free Jamaica and the Caribbean

By Ashahed M. Muhammad and Nisa Islam Muhammad -Final Call Staffers- | Last updated: Oct 23, 2014 - 3:28:16 PM

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The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke before thousands at the National Arena in Kingston, Jamaica commemorating the Holy Day of Atonement and the 19th Anniversary of the historic Million Man March. Photo: Andrea Muhammad

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The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke to a capacity crowd at the National Arena in Kingston, Jamaica October 19. Photos: Mikal Veale/Choice Imagery

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(L-R) Sandy Muhammad, Student National MGT & GCC Captain | Atty. David Commissiong | Student Minister Clive Muhammad | Robert Hill, Kingston Town Clerk | Student Minister Hilary Muhammad | Student Minister Hugh Muhammad | Student Minister David Muhammad | Student Minister Ishmael R. Muhammad

Farrakhan: The time demands that region stands together as one mighty nation in the sun

KINGSTON, Jamaica (FinalCall.com) - Smiling as he looked over the crowd of thousands gathered at the National Arena, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan said, “Jamaica, you are a pearl in the Caribbean. So much has come to the world from this island in the sun.”

But the island in the sun and her smaller sister nations are not completely free and must unite in the face of efforts from America and Europe to control Jamaica, her land, her people and to keep the land and the region under their thumb, said Min. Farrakhan, speaking Oct. 19 in this capital city to mark the 19th anniversary of the Million Man March and to raise the importance of the values of atonement, reconciliation and responsibility.

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Throughout his message, the Minister encouraged Jamaicans to begin producing their own food and to begin extracting themselves from the colonial grip of the queen of England and countries in Europe that import food to the island. 

“Feed your people, feed the region, feed the world,” said the Minister. “We’ve got to break away from the imposition of your colonial slave masters!”

He chided those so ashamed of their beautiful Black skin and natural hairstyles that bleaching creams, blonde hair extensions and blue contact lenses are popular among Jamaican women. 

The Minister noted that the misuse of religion as a tool for White domination must also be challenged in breaking the grip of former colonial and slave masters. Such plans for domination extended all the way up to the leader of Christendom, the Pope, Min. Farrakhan observed. “You don’t know how to talk to the Pope—I’ve been made to confront him,” he said. “Anybody who can wake you up is a dangerous person to White supremacy.”

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Min. Farrakhan points to a map showing Central and South America and the Caribbean. The Minister spoke on the importance of unity among the darker people of the earth. Photo: Mikal Veale/Choice Imagery
During his message, the Minister used a pointer and a map of the Caribbean and South America to emphasize his message.

In a memorable moment, which also showed how eager Jamaicans are to receive the truth, the Minister said he would be giving away materials, including copies of “The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews” Volume Two. Once he held up a copy of the book, dozens of people left their seats in a rush to get their copy. Things became somewhat disruptive, but once the Minister explained books would not be given away until after the message, things calmed down. He also gave away copies of his keynote address on DVD and CD to those who were in attendance.

The crowd loudly cheered, stood and applauded throughout his address, which was broadcast live across the island and region.

Prior to his message, a short video of revolutionary heroes was shown. The crowd cheered as images of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Che Guevarra, Fidel Castro, Bob Marley, Maurice Bishop and Hugo Chavez and other freedom fighters were shown.

The Minister noted Jamaicans are the beneficiaries of the work of those who have come before, but that work is not yet complete. What is being done now to finish the job of liberation?, he asked.

It is time to go to work and act on what great leaders left in their words of guidance and revolutionary ideas, he said. Critical to that vision is a strong and united Caribbean to ward off a return to a new slavery with the sons and daughters of Jamaica limited to playing the parts of servants to others in their own country.

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The Nation of Islam: A model for reparation

When it was announced that the Nation of Islam would celebrate the 2014 Million Man March anniversary in Kingston, members immediately began to book tickets and hotel rooms in anticipation to journey with their Minister, who has strong roots in the Caribbean. His mother was from St. Kitts and his father was Jamaican. Each time Min. Farrakhan visits the island, he is warmly embraced by Jamaica’s people and government officials. This time was no exception and a high level police escort was assigned to facilitate travel in the country during his entire stay. There were meetings with Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and private sessions with dignitaries like former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.

But this trip was not just a visit by the beloved leader alone, or with his family or aides. This visit was an opportunity to showcase his work and offer the Nation of Islam as an example of the repair that is needed in Jamaica and throughout the Black world. Some 2,000 Muslims came to Jamaica with their Minister and they came to serve—not to simply frolic in the sand and surf.

“What we brought to Jamaica is a sample of the work of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, which is the proof that a new teaching has come among us,” said Min. Farrakhan. He noted that many love him and many love Malcolm X—but the teacher who shaped these men and others is the man who must be made known and whose teaching must be studied. That man is the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad who worked 40 years to raise and reform Black people in America.

The hallmarks of the Nation of Islam are the love of the brotherhood and the protection and elevation of the Black woman, said Min. Farrakhan. Throughout the streets of Jamaica, the women of the Nation of Islam in hand-tailored colorful garments drew attention as they moved throughout the city over several days on the island, he noted. They were in the streets inviting Jamaicans, Jamaican women in particular, to come hear their leader’s Sunday address.

“The sisters stopped traffic everywhere they went,” said Minister Farrakhan. “We will lay down our lives for the honor of our women. We will never be respected as a people until we show love, honor and respect for our women.”

Civilization is never judged by the man, but by the woman because when you teach a man you teach an individual—but when you teach a woman you teach a nation, the Minister declared.

During remarks early on the afternoon program, Student National M.G.T. and G.C.C. Captain Sandy Muhammad, who oversees the development of women in the Nation, powerfully shared those same sentiments. Dressed in a sparkling white garment, she spoke of the value of women and in particular the Black woman.

Black women are being raised and reformed under the direction of Min. Farrakhan, she said passionately. The audience, men and women, responded with massive applause and standing ovations as the director of the training class for the women and girls of the Nation of Islam spoke.

“We are all the sons and daughters of Africa. The Caribbean gave us Marcus Garvey, George Padmore and the mother and father of the boldest Black man alive! We owe a tremendous debt to the Caribbean,” she said.

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Capacity crowd filled the National Arena in Kingston, Jamaica to hear from Min. Farrakhan. Photo: Andrea Muhammad

A new people and a new day

“Today, we are standing up an exceedingly great army of men and women who are militant, strong disciplined and walking with purpose,” said Minister Farrakhan. God’s chosen people have declared “war on those who have done evil to their people” and “their system of control” has come to an end. But in order to be successful, there must be unity, he said. [Please see page 20 for an edited transcript of Min. Farrakhan’s message.]

Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, the Minister’s assistant at the Nation’s Chicago headquarters, and Nuri Muhammad, who travels nationally representing the Minister, spoke at schools and prisons in the days leading up to the Oct. 19 commemoration. Jamaican prison officials were so impressed with the demeanor and representation of the two men that inmates were allowed to hear the Minister’s message, which was broadcast live over radio, TV and via the internet.

 “We have a man who loves so deeply, so unselfishly, so unconditionally,” said Ishmael Muhammad, who spent much time in Jamaica preparing for the major international event. “It speaks volumes about the man’s love for his people and he’s willing to give his all. He is not doing anything out of vanity. He is absolutely doing it out of the love of God for the people and his desire to see his people liberated and free.

The need for repair and reparations

In 1914 Marcus Garvey established the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in Kingston and dedicated it to the restoration of those bruised and battered by slavery and colonization. Leaders have continued to call for unity and justice, but this is a long and protracted struggle that will involve a confrontation, said Atty. David Commissiong, founder of the Clement Payne Movement, and advocate for reparations. He spoke on the program before the Minister’s main address.

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Overflow crowd watched the program outside on large screens. Photo: Courtney X. Powell

Fourteen Caribbean nations have launched a lawsuit against the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands for reparations for the continued impact of slavery and its aftermath on Blacks in the region. Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti, Suriname, Antigua and Barbuda are among those countries. The suit has been launched by the Caribbean Community, a regional organization which pursues cooperation and common interests.

While working towards repair, there is also an ongoing fight to bring those who were the architects of exploitation to the bar of justice, especially since they are waxed rich off of free labor and are responsible for the condition of Black people all over the globe, said Mr. Commissiong, who is based in Barbados.

“There is a component of repair in which we bring to justice and hold accountable all those institutions, governments and countries who inflicted crimes against humanity against our ancestors,” he added.

Clive Muhammad, who leads the Nation’s study group in Kingston; Eastern Caribbean Representative David Muhammad of Trinidad and Hugh Muhammad, who is from Jamaica and leads Muhammad Mosque No. 8 in San Diego, welcomed those in attendance and those tuned in via radio, TV or the world wide web. A sizeable crowd gathered outside the National Arena to view the Minister’s message on a large video screen outside.

“We must recognize the power of our unity in the Caribbean,” said David Muhammad.

Kingston hotels were filled with members of the Nation of Islam participating in the first Holy Day of Atonement commemoration to take place outside the United States.

Reactions to Farrakhan’s message

Reggae great Luciano was at the Million Man March in October of 1995 driving from New York to Washington D.C. He felt like a “king on a throne” that day and it was one of the best memories of his life.

“It was the greatest day of my experience man,” said Luciano. He has always been an artist who puts positive messages in his music. He said the Ebola virus and Chikungunya virus are signs of the time and many of the youth are “too frivolous” dealing only with “jiggy-jiggy stuff.”

“I believe if you are singing and you are not sending out some messages, it is just a waste of time,” he said.  “This is a very serious movement and I am very proud to see the Minister come at a time like this. It is an opportune time and Jamaica needs this speech more than ever. People need to wake up. They need to look deep in their minds and realize what is happening around them.”

Angela Brown Burke, Mayor of Kingston said education, crimes against women and educational achievement are important challenges for her administration, and she was glad the Minister spoke to both issues.

David Muhammad of Trinidad said he knew the message would be historic and relevant. He believes the Minister’s address should be a document and distributed in the Caribbean to those interested in law, politics, economics or education. It was an “all encompassing message that was literally like a textbook with different chapters of some of the major issues facing the Caribbean today and the Diaspora in general,” he said.

Atty. Commissiong enjoyed Min. Farrakhan’s words and said it is now important for reparations advocates to prepare to stand strong in mobilizing world opinion.

“We have a cause that is the pinnacle of righteousness and justice. No one who examines the facts of the Maafa—of the enslavement of African people—can help but come to the conclusion that crimes against humanity were committed and that justice demands that the guilty parties be held accountable and pay reparations. That cause is so righteous, so just. What we have to do now is to mobilize around it with unity and pursue it with passion, courage and conviction. Once we do that we will win,” he said.