Los Angeles citizens march to site of Saviours’ Day event. Photo: Malcolm Ali

Throughout the United States, Sunday, Feb. 23 truly was Saviours’ Day.

From New York to Portland, New Orleans to Minneapolis, Denver to Phoenix and all points in between, thousands flocked to hear the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan deliver a final warning to the American government and governments of the world, that the U.S. led war on Iraq would bring global conflict. Specifically, America’s actions would lead to her own divine chastisement, the Minister warned.

It was the first time in Nation of Islam history that members and supporters hosted the annual celebration in their own cities rather than travel to Chicago.

Crowd in Atlanta Saviours’ Day 2003. Photo: Sylvester Muhammad

Responding to a local BET and CNN commercial, radio ads, thousands of flyers and posters that flooded the small city of Richmond, Ca., the community filled to capacity the John F. Kennedy High School cafeteria, making Saviours Day 2003 one of the biggest.

"This was a wonderful, inspiring, exciting event and it was good for the City of Richmond," said George Livingston, the first Black mayor of the city.

"I enjoyed every minute of the program. This was a huge success," said Imam Wali Mohammed of the Muslim American Society.

Both, the annual Junteenth celebration and NAACP banquet are traditionally the largest Black events of the city, which draw crowds of 400-500 people, Saviours Day 2003 more than doubled those events.

Crowd views Saviours’ Day message in Richmond, Ca.

"The hard work of the Believers and the love of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan proved to be a great victory for this city," said Minister David Muhammad, the Richmond representative of Min. Farrakhan.

In Cincinnati, controversy erupted when the initial site selected to host the satellite broadcast—Xavier University’s Cintas Center—was cancelled. The next site, the Shrine Temple, pulled the plug after Muhammad Mosque No. 5 officials had put down a deposit with the signed contract.

"Every thing was set, we thought it was a lock because we had signed a contract, they even complemented us on our mannerisms and expressed relief that we were not going to have any alcohol served at the event," said Mosque No. 5 F.O.I. Captain Virgil Muhammad. Two days later, officials at the Shrine Temple also went back on their word and pulled the plug on the event. Harry Sterling, potentate and CEO of Syrian Temple, said they were unable to accommodate Muhammad Mosque No. 5 because of a scheduling conflict.

Nevertheless, the hard work of the Believers prevailed. "The Believers at Mosque No. 5 were still in good spirits and in war mode," said Minister James Muhammad, after going back to the Believers and giving them the news.  The laborers went back to the table and strategized a plan with just one week to go until Saviours’ Day.  

Line forms for Cincinnati Saviours’ Day event. Photo: Vincent Muhammad

When the big day came, New Friendship Baptist Church, pastored by Rev. H.L. Harvey, was filled to standing-room-only capacity for the broadcast. "I wouldn’t miss this event for nothing. I know they couldn’t stop Farrakhan’s broadcast in the city," said a man standing in line when asked about how he felt about the controversy surrounding the event.

The count at the Washington D.C. Armory was nearly 8,000 when Min. Farrakhan came across the airways. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Cora Masters Barry, wife of former Mayor Marion Barry, Damu Smith, founder of the anti-war group Black Voices for Peace and pastor Willie Wilson.

"What Minister Farrakhan is doing today is very important. He called for a chorus of voices against this war. He’s teaching us the urgency for us to act now," said Mr. Smith. "This is a great event today, a great message, a great national and international gathering for peace."

"One of the most significant things that is coming of this is the solidarity between the Muslim and Christian communities that have been brought to struggle against the war. I think it’s great that Min. Farrakhan identified that and acknowledges that. I think it will be very empowering for our total community," added Mrs. Barry.

Pamela Stitt, widow of legendary saxophonist Sonny Stitt, told The Final Call: "All of the things that he talked about, they’re there. It’s history. And everything he said is true about the government. It was very insightful, but it’s sort of unnerving to realize that all of this has come upon us as a result of President Bush. All we can do is pray and stick together and try to help each other."

Over three thousand people braved cold rain and heavy winds to be in attendance at the historic Hopewell Baptist Church in downtown Newark, N.J.,pastored by Rev. Jason C. Guice Sr.

"I demonstrated last week against the war, and I came out today to hear Min. Farrakhan," Frank Arts, a 22-year-old Caucasian man told The Final Call. "My generation is waking up, we are not as brainwashed by the media as people think. That is why we are fighting globalization and we are demonstrating against the war. This is not my first time hearing Min. Farrakhan, and many other young Whites are hearing him too."

According to Min. James Muhammad of New Brunswick’s Muhammad Mosque No. 85, "We never anticipated that people would leave church and immediately come over to the high school to hear Min. Farrakhan in the numbers that showed up." He said that the New Jersey Turnpike had been closed and many of the local highways were closed because of flooding, but that did not keep the people away.

Imam Aziz and Imam Muhammad Bilal, who are with the Muslim American Society, helped to co-sponsor the New Brunswick Saviours’ Day event.

"I believe in what Min. Farrakhan said today, that is why I am trying to organize with the brothers to try and stop the war," commented Russell Simmons, president of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network and CEO of Def Jam records. Mr. Simmons, who attended the New York Saviours’ Day event, said the most important part of Min. Farrakhan’s message was that "we must pray."

New York’s Min. Kevin Muhammad told The Final Call that his job after Saviours’ Day was to continue with what Min. Farrakhan had taught, because with or without a war against Iraq, the problems facing Blacks in America still exist.

Regina Gibson, a computer programmer from Queens, N.Y., said she was concerned about Min. Farrakhan saying this is his last public address. "Who would speak up for Black people? Being a New Yorker, I have seen first hand the effects of 9/11 on every day people. Companies are using the terrorist attack as an excuse to lay people off from their jobs. Only Min. Farrakhan speaks to the needs of the people, and he makes us understand why things are happening," Ms. Gibson said.

"Min. Farrakhan was direct and to the point today, He has always been an elaborate speaker, and no one can bring a point home better than he," said Imam Alim Karim of the Muslim American Society of Virginia. He attended Saviours’ Day at the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center on the campus of Norfolk State University. The Imam said that by encouraging people to pray, Min. Farrakhan had elevated people’s consciousness so that they may understand that this is Allah’s time," Imam Karim said.

In Denver, Min. Farrakhan was warmly received by nearly 800 people at the Double Tree Hotel ballroom because people are looking for someone to be their voice, said Denver Nation of Islam Minister Gerald Muhammad.

"A lot of people are concerned, but the government is not listening to the little people in the streets," he said.

And according to one person who had a change of mind about Min. Farrakhan, "He is very courageous. We need somebody who will stand up for what is right," said Leta Calvert, a Christian, according to a report in the Denver Post.

"My eyes were really opened. I had judged him negatively for a long time. I see a changed man," she said.

In Pensacola, Fla., the Nation of Islam Study Group held a successful event at the Pensacola High School auditorium despite opposition from Escambia County School Superintendent Jim Paul. Mr. Paul had refused to sign a contract with the group to rent the auditorium for the speech, saying Min. Farrakhan’s message is "divisive, hateful and most inflammatory," according to the Pensacola News Journal.

Nevertheless, Escambia County School Board members overturned Mr. Paul’s decision by unanimous vote, noting that many district school facilities have been used by churches to conduct worship services and banning the Nation of Islam was patently unfair.

At the event, Frances Spire, a member of a Methodist church in Pensacola, shared Farrakhan’s view that America should not go to war with Iraq.

"The president should take heed and listen," she said. "I don’t know what he wants to fight for. I wish he’d think about it. I don’t go for war—period. I don’t see how you have to kill someone to get what you want," the News Journal reported.