CHICAGO (FinalCall.com) - On the 13th anniversary of the Million Man March and Holy Day of Atonement the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan gave a major international address. Speaking to a diverse group from religious and international communities, the Minister rededicated Mosque Maryam, the national headquarters of the Nation of Islam, and advanced a vision for a “New Beginning” for the Nation of Islam.
The Minister talked about expanded outreach efforts by the Nation to the larger human family, even as the Nation works to uplift Blacks in America and the Diaspora.
The Muslim leader has been an influential voice on the international stage for many years whose work includes three World Friendship Tours and peace missions to Africa, the Far East, the Middle East, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Through video, DVD and The Final Call newspaper, Min. Farrakhan’s global impact has increased in Europe from the United Kingdom to Denmark, Sweden, Amsterdam, France and Germany.
According to Nation of Islam officials, the Oct. 19 ceremony was attended by guests from Mali, Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, Turkey, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Mexico, Canada, and the U.K.
Describing the “New Beginning” in a letter to believers, friends and visitors, Min. Farrakhan said it was time to present the “Universal aspects of the Teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad” and of “the Religion of Islam.”
Pointing out the desire of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad to broaden the reach of the Nation of Islam, the Minister walked the attentive audience through lessons his mentor taught, such as “Black is not national, Black is universal,” and explained the Nation’s mission is to help “bring about a universal government of peace where in we all can live in peace together” as stated in The Muslim Program.
The Minister emphasized the importance of growing past the rituals of religion to fulfill the common meaning that undergirds faith traditions. Proving the “oneness of the prophetic community and the oneness of religion,” Min. Farrakhan focused on the common “kernel of every faith tradition,” reciting quotes of guidance from the Black faith tradition, Confucianism, the Baha’i faith, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, and each of the three Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
According to several international guests and foreign nationals who attended the interfaith program, the event unified diverse religious thought and faith traditions.
“Min. Farrakhan is following in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad” in teaching that all men are one before God, said Sheikh Balla Samb of Senegal, president of the Murids of North America.
Reflecting on Min. Farrakhan’s approach to his subject, Imam Ahmed Rufai added, “When we teach Islam in a way that appeals to the Christian, Jew and others then we will see true transformation.”
Aussama Jamal, who attended the service and heard Min. Farrakhan for the first time, said the speech was one of “reconciliation, unity and of the future” and offered “words of hope for the different faiths to come together and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.”
Hilary Muhammad, a UK representative of the Nation of Islam, saw the message as the “launching pad for an international movement to save the world from itself.”
Imam El-Hajj Talib Abdur Rashid, deputy Amir of the Muslim Alliance of North America, said, “It was obvious to anyone listening that Min. Farrakhan was laying the foundation for an increase of reconciliation between all of us, that is highly principled, scripturally based, and universal.”
Sheikh Tijanni Ben Omar opined, the event was “the best interfaith address ever delivered anywhere on the earth.” Sheikh Tijani, who accompanied Min. Farrakhan on his world tours, said, “It is significant that the Minister’s speech conforms to the clarion call of religions for universality.”
In recent years there were major international conferences focused on bringing harmony between the three Abrahamic faiths.
“The Minister’s address is in the spirit of what is happening in Islam worldwide,” said Akbar Muhammad, a longtime helper of Min. Farrakhan. It was an effort to create understanding in light of the hostility towards Islam exhibited by the Western world, he added.
The Minister clearly showed the Nation of Islam in a different light and was successful in demonstrating the oneness of faith, said Akbar Muhammad, who has traveled and worked internationally with Min. Farrakhan. “The countries that the Minister has visited in the Muslim world would receive what was said with open arms,” he said.
Related link(s):
Minister Louis Farrakhan announces expanded mission for Nation of Islam (FCN, 10-24-2008)
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