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FinalCall.com News
Business & Money
Fulfilling The Economic Vision Of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad
By Econ Pro
Updated Jan 28, 2008 - 9:40:00 PM
On October 17, 2007, one day after the 12th anniversary of The Million Man March, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan guided nearly 100 Believers in a review of approximately 1,600 acres of the Nation of Islam’s Farmland in Southwest Georgia. The gathering in Terrell County, Ga., was part of a spiritual and business discussion regarding his vision for the further development of that property. The day’s activities were an aspect of the most recent phase of Minister Farrakhan’s intense focus on community, business, and economic development, and growth.
“I just want to go right back over the ground and footsteps of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, and then, with the help of the learned of our people, expand his work,” the Minister passionately explained.
Hosted by Brother Ridgely Muhammad, of Muhammad Farms, and his wife Sister Anne, the Believers, including an economic development team, were engaged in a wide-ranging discussion on the possible avenues to developing the arable and non-arable portions of the Farmland.
“I would call it a ‘shareholders meeting,’ for lack of a better term. Minister Farrakhan gave us his vision, and then, somewhat like a chairman of a board of directors, invited our feedback, and encouraged dialogue and debate over various ideas and business models. Everyone had an opportunity to participate in a discussion over the future of what is really their own,” said Brother Cedric Muhammad, member of the economic development team.
“What made it so special was that the spiritual mission of transforming our people was the foundation and core, guiding the economic discussion,” Brother Cedric added.
“As one blessed to follow the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, hear his economic plan, and carry out his specific instructions in relation to our farm, I know that the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan is moving exactly in that same Divine direction,” said Brother Abdul Rahman Muhammad, who served as Minister in Atlanta, Ga., and the Southern Region for The Honorable Elijah Muhammad well over thirty years ago. Brother Rahman has been helping the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan since 1981.
The October 17th session was followed on the 18th by meetings between the economic development team and local officials and professionals regarding the cultural, political, and economic opportunities and challenges that face the Nation of Islam, the largest Black owner of farmland in the area.
“All of those with whom we met, expressed their respect and admiration for what the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan have already guided us to accomplish with our property, and conveyed their high hopes for what the future can bring. In many ways, by Allah’s (God)’s permission, our past and present accomplishments represent a sign and example of the kind of economic and community development our people need—in the local area, region and entire country. Minister Farrakhan wants us to fully establish that model and grow it for the benefit of the whole,” said Sister Barbara Muhammad, member of the economic development team.
In discussions with political, business, community leaders and professionals, the reoccurring theme was clear: the farm land—already paid for and owned by the Nation—and the vision outlined for its further development, represents the potential for a thriving agribusiness economy, housing construction, and community development. Within that 1,600-acre “seed,” lies a model, to be expanded and grown with the potential to eventually feed 40 million Black people, provide dignified care for the elderly, as well as the education and development of Black youth.
“The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan gave us clear instructions on October 17th, and every single aspect of what he outlined was confirmed for us in the meetings we had the next day. The relationship between the Economic Blueprint of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Study Guides of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, “Self Improvement-The Basis For Community Development,” was made manifest before our very eyes. Now, we are actively engaged in determining what is most practical, pragmatic and feasible for the use of our land, knowing that Allah (God) has already shown that He is with us,” explained Sister Virginia Muhammad, member of the economic development team.
The economic development team is currently in a “due diligence” stage—identifying skilled professionals, conducting research, performing interviews, and engaging in analysis regarding the past and present use of the land and areas for future development. Its product is to be a plan, to be approved directly by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
“By combining our focus on agribusiness and cash crops with community development, as Minister Farrakhan is guiding us, we have a chance to do something really special. The key will be in how well we understand what the Honorable Elijah Muhammad already did with the land, and what he intended for us to do, guided by that example. By connecting farming with community and the other industries and businesses that he led us into like grocery stores, restaurants and bakeries for example, we can solve hunger, homelessness and unemployment among our people. He wanted us to be able to connect everything, from the land to the man,” said Brother Ridgely.
“The Honorable Elijah Muhammad knew decades ago that the expertise was among us and that we would eventually get involved in many areas from the base of land ownership,” Brother Rahman verified as part of a detailed interview granted to the economic development team.
In recent weeks, Minister Farrakhan has referenced the Book of Judges in the Bible, and the account of a swarm of bees that made honey in the carcass of the dead lion described in the 14th Chapter. He has explained its relevance to Black people in America who are living within a nation that is in decline.
“Though the American economy is dying and we are part of it, it would seem that we should die with it. However, there is a way for us to make honey. And with the help of Allah (God), following the footsteps of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, we will find a way to do so. Let’s unite the Nation of Islam, the learned and professionals inside and outside of our Believing Community and serve the masses of our people as never before,” Minister Farrakhan firmly stated.
(If you are a skilled professional, interested in assisting the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam in community, business and economic development, please login to: http://www.noi.org/econpro/ and send your resume, with references.
