The Final Call

Minister Farrakhan's Saviours' Day message puts fight for justice front and center

By Final Call Staffers | Last updated: Feb 26, 2015 - 10:12:48 AM

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Audience in Memphis watches Saviours’ Day webcast.

Hundreds gathered in Houston to view the Saviours’ Day message by Min. Farrakhan via webcast. Photos: Ebony Saffiyyah Muhammad

CHICAGO - Christ Universal Temple was abuzz with activity as attendees at Saviours’ Day 2015 headed for the exit doors after being fed a thought-provoking message by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. Titled, “The Intensifying and Universal Cry for Justice,” the Minister’s Feb. 22 address laid out the basis for Allah’s (God’s) present judgment of Europe and America based on their mistreatment of the darker people of the planet, but also how that chastisement will be visited upon Blacks who persist in doing wickedness.

Minister Farrakhan’s message resonated and struck a chord with audiences in the U.S. and abroad. During a portion of his address the Muslim leader pointed out on a map the various nations of the earth that Western powers have invaded and conquered with their physical presence as well as their ideologies. Those that refuse to submit to Western authority are often labeled as troublemakers or enemies of the West.  

Naimah Latif, a Chicago radio host and author of Slavery: The African American Psychic Trauma, was happy to hear the Minister address the issue of terrorism and international affairs. She said such acts are a response to oppression, and the question becomes what has America and Europe done to drive people to such desperation?

“Nat Turner was called a terrorist,” she said of the slave who led a revolt against slave masters in Virginia in the 1800s. “What is needed is a fair distribution of wealth, resources and opportunities. Otherwise, today’s starving orphan becomes tomorrow’s terrorist.”

Dr. Jesus Rodriguez, consul general of the Venezuelan Consulate in Chicago said his country 

Has been trying to get rid of that system of oppression and by doing so, the system is punishing Venezuela “by portraying us as the bad guy in the neighborhood,” he said. “They say we are part of the axis of evil and with the Cubans we are trying to subvert Latin American countries against the U.S. That’s a result of our commitment to change.”

Audience in Memphis watches Saviours’ Day webcast.

The message on reparations also resonated with Dr. Rodriguez because the draining of resources from the darker countries to build up Europe and America has cause poverty and underdevelopment in darker nations.

“The Minister raises the questions of the common issues that we have regarding race. Latinos are mixed, but we are disconnected from our indigenous roots by European oppression and our Black African roots,” he said.

Queen Mother Helen Sinclair, who heads the Rainbow PUSH prison ministry, recalled her visits to Malawi in East Africa and how she witnessed the impact of colonial undermining of the people.

“I asked the people how were they before the British left their country. They said they were walking around in rags and that the British made sure the Africans didn’t know how to plant. The British thought the Africans would starve to death. They (British) would take over a country but they wouldn’t educate the people,” she said.

Historian Dr. Avimelech Ben Israel said Black people must take the Minister’s advice and “turn inward and improve our relationships with one another” and attorney James Tunick of Chicago, who was hearing the Minister for the first time, said he had not formed an opinion prior to hearing the Minister and that he was glad he came.

“I didn’t know what to expect. I have heard a lot of stuff in the media, but I came away enriched and honored to be here,” said attorney Tunick, who is White.

“Minister Farrakhan is cutting edge,” added Dr. Walter Robinson, who worked as comptroller and business manager with Christ Universal Temple founder the late Dr. Johnnie Colemon. “We have to find a way to catch up with him in terms of his wisdom and how he view things.”

Bro. Tony Muhammad and Sis. Naomi Muhammad with members of Universal Zulu Nation after the lecture in Miami.

Dr. Robinson said traditional organizations that work on behalf of Black people in America are doing their best, “but they’re using the conventional methods, ways and means that have proven to be against us instead of for us.”

“Today we turned a tremendous corner in terms of trying to understand what this universe is coming to at this particular time in our lives. We have never understood who we are, whose we are, the power we possess and how to connect with people like Min. Farrakhan who is trying to break it down to a level where most of the lay people can comprehend said Dr. Robinson.

Rev. Henry Hardy, pastor emeritus of Cosmopolitan Community Church in Chicago, said Min. Farrakhan speaks “undauntedly truth.” The Minister admonishes Black people to cloak themselves in the truth and strive to live a righteous life, he said.

“The Minister says how can the people go free if the trumpet be unsound, if the trumpet is shaken? There is no doubt that Louis Farrakhan blows a sound, unwavering trumpet, calling men to the truth and calling them to stand up.”

Nationwide response

Hundreds of Nation of Islam members, family, friends and their guests convened at The Joe Ratliff Lifelong Learning Center, in Houston Texas to view and listen to the Minister’s message via Internet webcast. Two hundred and five of those were first time guests. The entire ballroom was filled to capacity with standing room only. The crowd responded with thunderous applauds, laughter, head nods in agreement and sometimes there was complete silence.

Hundreds gathered in Houston to view the Saviours' Day message by Min. Farrakhan via webcast. Photo: Ebony Saffiyyah Muhammad

The overall impression of the message left many attendees taking a reality check of what is going on in the world today.  Evonne Lawson and Angela Rhoades, who brought their grandson Treyvyon Rhodes, 9 stated they enjoyed the entirety of the Minister’s address and that it was like a “reality check.”  The Minister has a way of putting things in a way you can see what happening today, said Ms. Lawson.

Prosper Aideyan who attended the event with his family, left with the feeling that it was a timely message for everyone.  The message was not specific to being Muslim he stated.  “I felt welcome because I am Christian,” said Mr. Aideyan.  Priscilla Brown and Christ Scott who are currently processing to become members of The Nation of Islam both stated the message was definitely guidance for the world.

Some took the message as a time for introspection.  “I feel self-reflection is on us.  If we are going to preach a message, then we should be living the whole message,” said Ashley Craft, who was invited by Akilah Muhammad. 

Approximately 500 people filled the Church of Scientology Community Center in Los Angeles where the message was also well received.

Sunny Moore, who said she’s been listening to Minister Farrakhan for 20 years, said the message was insightful and very necessary. 

“The minister is always, always on point, and he’s telling the truth the way a lot of people don’t want to hear it, but it must be told.  He said we must wake up, prepare ourselves for now, the future, get our children together, educate ourselves and our children to fight and to be mentally, emotionally ready for change, evolution and revolution, she said. 

Bro. Eric Muhammad inviting guests prior to the event.

Gianna Garrett, attended the L.A. viewing with her husband, a Muslim.  “I thought it was an amazing sermon, very intriguing and new information and new insight on a lot of information a lot of people probably weren’t aware of.  I thought it was excellent,” Ms. Garrett said.  Minister Farrakhan’s message on Europe’s dominance of Africa and the world really resonated with her, she said.

In Atlanta, it was more of the same. The webcast was held at both, Atlanta’s Southern Regional Headquarters Muhammad Mosque #15 and the Atlanta Gateway Hotel.

 “I was in one of the restaurants up the road (from) here and one of the brothers was passing out flyers. And I have always wanted to sit in on one of the meetings,” said Atlanta resident Antonio Danyel, 52. “I’ve read the paper and I have seen here and there on television and different programs that I go to; but to actually sit-in, I found it absolutely worth my time,” he told The Final Call. “To go in and actually listen to the message--even though he wasn’t here personally, but I felt the power in the voice. It was like, no holds-barred, no going around the mulberry bush to get to his point. He was straight forward and direct, not holding anything back. And for me, that was very powerful,” said Mr. Danyel.

George Khaldun of the Harlem Children’s Zone viewed the program in New York and said the Minister’s message was profound especially when the Muslim leader spoke on how Black men are being destroyed in communities around the country.

A broad cross section of both young and old packed the newly rebuilt Frank W. Ballou Senior High School to hear the Minister’s address in Washington, D.C. In Baltimore, hundreds crowded the auditorium on Coppin State University’s campus to view the address.

“I like when the Minister recognized the young women who were holding it down in Ferguson,” said Ava Smith from Baltimore.  “I brought my son and his friend to hear the Minister.  They liked him too.  Especially when the Minister said he wasn’t with weakness or cowardice.  They really clapped then.”

Activists, community organizers impacted

The killing of Michael Brown Jr., the unarmed Black teen shot to death by a White police officer and the continued fight for justice by activists was a theme that hit close to home for many. Several community organizers from Ferguson and the St. Louis area made the trip to Chicago to seek guidance from the Minister. They were not disappointed. 

Rodney  “Tank” Martin Jr, 24 of St. Louis said what the Minister presented was a reiteration of what he and his friends discuss daily. “He reassured me that I’m thinking in the appropriate wave length and my head is in the right place. It’s what we preach about constantly. This was the exact message we talk about amongst each other, I enjoyed it so much because it reminded me, and like young brother you’re doing the right thing you’re on the right path,”  said Mr. Martin.

“It felt good to hear a lot of confirmations from the thing I’ve been saying and things I’ve been feeling. It let me know that my mindset was going in the right direction having such a older wiser man who has gone through the things I’ve gone through. He was giving me a lot of council and confirmation I’m on the right mind track,” said Darren Seals, 27 also of St. Louis.

Paul Muhammad representing Peace Keepers St. Louis said the message validated and confirmed they have been doing exactly what is necessary by being on the forefront of fighting injustice against the enemy systematically in an organized manner. “But not backing down, bowing down and that we are in the right time in history, in our present and in our future for moving forward for the liberation of our people. He just gave us more insight, he gave us more direction and he gave me more fuel for my fire to continue to be a freedom fighter,” said Mr. Paul Muhammad.

Andrea Ortez is a community organizer who works with youth on the Southwest side of Chicago and says what she heard today from Min. Farrakhan would resonate with youth in the city.

“The history of our people, it is very important for them to understand their own reality and their own condition,” said Ms. Ortez. 

Amelia Ajibabe is a stay at home mom and travelled from Gary, Ind., 45 minutes outside Chicago with her five children ranging in age from seven to 20 to see and hear from Min. Farrakhan. His message of accountability and to “straighten up and get on the right track” resonated with her. It’s a message she hopes her older children will also take to heart.

Gary Alexander and Tyree Bobs both travelled from Cincinnati, Ohio.

I came all this way foremost for me and my children. I’m trying to better myself as a man. This is one of my steps in 2015 is to better myself and go forward with positive reinforcement and lead by example with me to my kids,” said Mr. Alexander. The 40 year old father of seven said the message inspired him to go back home and try to be a better person and father.

“I just came out to hear the Minister’s universal cry for justice because I see that it’s needed and necessary,” said Mr. Bob.

Message resonates with youth

In L.A, several members of the Afrikan Black Coalition, a statewide collective of Black students in California, who advocate for access to education that will properly train Black people to uplift themselves.

“What stood out the most to me today was he kept reiterating the fact that whatever you put out is coming back to you, and I think that of individuals miss that because we have our own way that we treat each other and we have our own scheme of things, the way we go about with each other, so that definitely stood out.  Whatever we put out is coming back to us seven-fold,” said Reginald Vincent, president of the African Student Union at California State University Long Beach.

Ibrahim Ali, 15, who was hearing Minister Farrakhan speak for the first time viewing in Houston stated that hearing the Minister speak about Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is a White man married to a Black woman, stood out to him the most. After hearing the message given today, young Ibrahim stated he feels like he can make something of himself.

Tia’Moya Burns, 21, was a first time visitor in Houston and said what stood out to her most was how Min. Farrakhan speaks on Black violence and tyranny in America, and how it’s not only going on in America but in other countries.”

Iyasah Muhammad,16, stated, “I didn’t know about France and how evil they were. I didn’t know about the colonies and how they forced them to pay for it. I like how he was telling us what’s going on in the world”.

Several teens in New York were all listening to Minister Farrakhan for the first time including Nicholas Bryce, Akim Thorpe and Ryan Richards.  “What I feel was the most important was the message about doing unto others as what you want done to yourself, very important for our Black youth to practice,” said Mr. Bryce.

Jamal Abukar, 20 and Henry Rivas, 14 in Toronto Canada agreed. The message was inspiring and informative said Mr. Rivas. Audiences from Albany, N.Y., Buffalo, N.Y.  and Boston shared how the message resonated deeply.

“The way he connects with events like in the news and how we are killing ourselves in Chicago. I really appreciated how he’s been consistent over the years with his message,” said Jamil Muhammad, 18.

Starla Muhammad, James G. Muhammad and J.A. Salaam reported from Chicago, Askia Muhammad from Washington, D.C., Charlene Muhammad from Los Angeles, Saeed Shabazz from New York, Nisa Islam Muhammad from Baltimore, Eric Muhammad from Atlanta, and Ebony Saffiyyah Muhammad and Nadirah Muhammad from Houston.