The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan

On Friday, October 12, 2007, Minister Farrakhan met with influential spiritual leaders at a breakfast hosted by the Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta. Religious leaders from all faith traditions gathered at the Georgia Depot at The Underground in downtown Atlanta, as Minister Farrakhan delivered a message of guidance to those with the responsibility of leading believers in God on the journey of redemption.

“God is making us leaders. No one can tear us down if God is the one building you up,” said Minister Farrakhan in his remarks to the clergy. “You are very special people. God has called us out for His glory.”

The audience welcomes Minister Farrakhan to the stage. Photos: Kenneth Muhammad/

As he recounted his experience giving up a promising career as a calypso singer to serve the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Minister Farrakhan asked those present, “What are you willing to give up in service to God?”

Many of the long-time followers of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and pioneer members of the Nation of Islam who are now helpers of Minister Farrakhan were present such as Brother Abdul Rahman Muhammad, Brother Abdul Wahid Muhammad, Brother Abdul Bey Muhammad, Brother Thomas Jihad, Brother Najee Muhammad (James 7X), and Brother Mustapha Muhammad (Charles Bobbitt).

Also in attendance was Sister Sylvia Shah, wife of legendary F.O.I. Captain Yusef Shah who was the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s captain at Muhammad’s Mosque No. 7 in Harlem, NY. After being made aware that Sister Sylvia was seated in the back of the mosque, he had her come down to a seat in the front. Everyone in attendance stood in honor of her sacrifice giving her a standing ovation.

“Her husband is the man that shaped me. Her husband is the man that made me a Muslim. Her husband made soldiers,” said Minister Farrakhan. (See pages 4 and 5 for coverage of Minister Farrakhan’s comments to the Concerned Black Clergy and his visit to Muhammad’s Mosque No. 15.)

Walk For Life Walk-A-Thon

On Saturday, October 13, 2007, the bright and crisp morning found the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in his sweat suit, sneakers and Millions More Movement cap, ready for the 2nd Annual Louis Farrakhan Prostate Cancer Foundation (LFPCF) Walk For Life Walk-A-Thon through the historic Vine City neighborhood in Atlanta, Ga.

Looking fit and spry, not only did the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan walk the entire two miles of the walk-a-thon route, the last mile of which was uphill, he also conducted interviews the entire time while smiling and waving to onlookers, never once appearing to be fatigued.

Upon arriving at the end of the route at Herndon Stadium on the campus of Morris Brown, Minister Farrakhan was greeted by city councilman Ivory Young Jr. who presented Minister Farrakhan with a proclamation on behalf of the City Council of Atlanta. Minister Farrakhan was also presented with the Phoenix Award by Mayor Shirley Franklin’s chief of staff, Gregory Pridgeon, which is the highest award from the city of Atlanta given for outstanding contributions to the city and citizens of Atlanta.

A crowd of nearly 2,500 assembled in the stadium for an afternoon of free prostate cancer screenings, medical checkups and events for the children. Minister Farrakhan delivered another message to the crowd encouraging Black men and women to get regular checkups to aid in the prevention of diseases that could be treated with early detection. “We want men in general, but Black men in particular to live, and our women are also suffering from different types of cancer. We just have to test and catch it early so we can beat it.”

Address to the members of the hip hop community

On Sunday, October 14, 2007, the Honorable Minister Louis addressed 300 hip hop industry executives, artists and producers at an invitation-only brunch held at Justin’s Restaurant, owned by Sean “P. Diddy” Combs. In his strong and passionate message, Minister Farrakhan reminded the artists of their influence over the youth of the world. He told them to use their gifts and talents responsibly as instruments of education and elevation as opposed to allowing their talents to be used by wicked corporate manipulators who place profits above all else.

Immediately after delivering the powerful and inspirational message to the members of the hip hop community, the caravan whisked over to the newly-built headquarters of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

The president of the SCLC, Rev. Dr. Charles Steele, escorted Minister Farrakhan on a tour of the $3 million state of the art facility which now houses the administrative offices of one of the nation’s most venerable civil rights organizations. Dr. Steele vigorously raised money for the new headquarters through corporate friends and sponsors and is very proud to inform all that the building is completely paid for.

Address to the next generation of leaders

On Monday, October 15, 2007, The Honorable Minister Farrakhan spoke to members of the next generation of leaders and rulers on the campus of Clark Atlanta University. Minister Farrakhan encouraged the students to resist those who would try to simply train them to look towards a “benevolent corporate America” for a job. He urged them to use the best of what they are learning from these colleges and universities to make jobs for others, and to use their skills and talents to solve the pressing problems of the masses of Black people in particular and humanity in general.

Observances in cities across America

When the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan entered the Atlanta Civic Center October 16, 2007 to deliver his message commemorating the 12th Anniversary of the Historic Million Man March and Holy Day of Atonement, he was welcomed by a capacity crowd and tens of thousands viewing via satellite across America with a rousing standing ovation which lasted several minutes.

Minister Farrakhan bounced across the stage looking healthy and robust as he greeted the numerous guests on the dais which included Rev. Joseph Lowery, patriarch of the civil rights movement and a companion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Rev. Charles Steele, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); Rev. Dr. Barbara King, of The Hillside Chapel and Truth Center; and Roberta Abdul Salaam of the Georgia House of Representatives.

Minister Farrakhan introduced his subject “Come Out of Her, My People,” by showing that separation of the people of God from a society ruled by the wicked is inevitable.

“I want to talk to you today about what Allah (God) means in the language of separation, and why separation is a necessity for the people of God today,” said Minister Farrakhan. “I want to explore in the scriptures what Jesus meant when he said ‘be ye separated.”

As the scriptural base for his subject, Minister Farrakhan used Revelation 18:4. “I want to talk to you today about that voice in the 18th Chapter of Revelations, a voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her my people, be ye not partakers of her sins and her plagues, for her sins have reached unto heaven.’”

This memorable message by Minister Farrakhan impacted all those present and resonated with all those who heard his words.

In Houston, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Harlem, and many cities across the nation, Minister Farrakhan’s strong delivery and passionate message brought the overflow crowds to their feet.

“His words must become the strength of the youth. I learned today that we are being held down more than I ever knew.” said Cornelius Sloan, 18, Texas Southern University law student.

“That was the deepest message I have ever heard,” said 19-year-old William Whitfield, who was hearing Minister Farrakhan for the very first time. “The way he presented facts, was in a way that I have never learned before. We do not get taught like this in school. He inspired me to be me and not try to fake it.”

Another audience member inspired by Minister Farrakhan was Tara McGill, a special education teacher at Torchlight Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina. She said, “There is no doubt in my mind that he’s backed by God and the one we should all be listening to and following. God is warning us through Minister Farrakhan to come out of all the ways of our enemy in order to receive the blessings of God. I will try to use his words to improve the quality of my life and the lives of my students.”

Paul Davis watched the satellite broadcast in Los Angeles and said the lecture was “timely.”

“He was very on point with what’s going on with the injustices in the cities with our children. We’re all at that point where either this justice department has to do something correct. It’s got to get better. We’re with The Minister. We agree with him. What stood out the most was his point with our wealthy people and why and how they got to that position, as well as what it represents. He’s correct that these people are pulled out of our community not based on their talents, but to build this illusion. Minister Farrakhan is right on time!” Mr. Davis asserted.

As an added gift, in Los Angeles, all ticket-holders received a Millions More Movement T-shirt and cap to commemorate the event.

The Holy Day of Atonement observance in Washington, D.C. included a Walk For Life which started at Martin Luther King Avenue and Malcolm X Avenue. The march was co-sponsored by Ron Moten and Jihar Ibrahim of the Peaceaholics, a community activist group, along with Rev. Willie Wilson and the members Union Temple Baptist Church and Student in the Ministry class, Brother Abdul Khadir Muhammad and the members of Muhammad’s Mosque No. 4 representing the Mid-Atlantic region of the Nation of Islam. Other participants in the walk included Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, Tyrone Parker of the Alliance of Concerned Black Men and Rev. Donald Isaac. The march was largely attended by Black youth who were let out of school for that day in honor of the Holy Day of Atonement.

Brother Abdul Khadir Muhammad brought greetings on behalf of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, and Rev. Willie Wilson gave a historical overview of the 1995 Million Man March and his long-time work with Minister Farrakhan, including being a co-convener of the Millions More Movement in 2005.

Later that evening, the historic message by the Honorable Minister Farrakhan was viewed at three different locations throughout the Washington, D.C. area. Hundreds were present at Union Temple Baptist Church. Nearly 500 were jam packed into Muhammad’s Mosque No. 4, and the internet webcast was shown at Drew Hall on the campus of Howard University.

“The crowd was in tune, step-by-step and word-for-word with the message delivered by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan,” said Brother Abdul Khadir. “It was as if Minister Farrakhan was right there present in the mosque,” he added.

In New York, over 1,000 community members gathered at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Harlem, N.Y. hosted by the Reverend Dr. Charles Curtis. Student in the Ministry Class, Brother Kevin Muhammad, said that the people were eager to hear the guidance that Minister Farrakhan would deliver to them on this day.

“Everyone was full of joy and in the spirit of atonement. The doors opened at 5 p.m. and the people were lined up at 4:30 p.m.,” said Brother Kevin. “The people were with every word. The people were right there ready for him, and at several points during the lecture, they were on their feet, cheering.”

Brother Kevin remarked that those in attendance enjoyed themselves so much that they did not want to leave after it was over. At the conclusion of the event, members of Muhammad’s Mosque No. 7 also distributed Millions More Movement caps and T-shirts to those who were present.

“We have been blessed by the ancestors to be here at this time and we are beseeched by those ancestors to do what Minister Farrakhan is constantly reminding us of,” said Wanique Shabazz, program director for Radio Free Georgia (WRFG) 89.3FM in Atlanta. “His reminder is a constant infusion of the Grace of God that we know comes to us and we have to move as soldiers in a way that can be effective for generations to come. There is work to do,” Shabazz added.

Business analyst and political commentator Cedric Muhammad said the case laid out by Minister Farrakhan showed that throughout history, separation is really the norm and that Black people are the only ones who have been slow to see it as a realistic option.

“Minister Farrakhan made clear that it is viable, it’s possible and it’s really going to be necessary when the people we have been integrated into can no longer provide for us when the fall of the American economy and the dollar is complete,” said Brother Cedric. “We really have no other choice but to practice the first law of self-preservation which will mandate separation. We’re going to be forced to do it or we can choose to do it, but it’s going to happen, one way or the other.”

(Sister Audrey Muhammad, Sister Charlene Muhammad, Brother Jesse Muhammad, Sister Nisa Islam Muhammad and Brother Preshus X Booker contributed to this report.)