WASHINGTON—Coming out of the Nation of Islam’s Saviours’ Day ’99 weekend held here Feb. 26-28, the Honorable Louis Farrakhan and his National Board of Laborers outlined an agenda leading to the year 2000 that would address economic, political and family development issues.

Highlighting the agenda is a call by Min. Farrakhan for a Million Family March on the anniversary of the Million Man March/Day of Atonement, Oct. 16. The goal of the day will be to put God at the center of marriage and to solidify family. Min. Farrakhan has announced that he intends for married couples to re-affirm their vows at the march and for courting couples to take their marriage vow on that day.

"In the year 2000, we want to come back to Washington," the Minister said. "We had a Million Man March, a Million Woman March, a Million Youth March and a Million Youth Movement. We have been singular, now we go into the new century and the new millennium as a family."

Min. Farrakhan, recovering from an illness that caused him to lose 20 pounds over a period of several months, has expressed his determination to complete a 45 city tour in the coming months to inform and generate support in the community for the event.

He said another goal of the tour will be to craft an agenda that addresses the needs of Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Africans and poor whites to put to potential presidential candidates. This "Third Political Force" effort will also educate and register voters across the nation so that the candidate who signs on to that agenda will receive support.

"We, the Nation of Islam, must all become registrars," he said to the cheering crowd. "We are going to create a Third Force in America. I want every Black man that is unregistered to register. We are not going to let you be a stupid voter. Voter registration has to be preceded by proper voter education."

Phone service launched

In the area of economic development, the Nation of Islam launched Nation One Communications, a new economic initiative that is seeking to bring economic cooperation and prosperity to the Black community. During Saviours’ Day ‘99, many Muslims signed up as sales representatives for the new company.

"We will not be undersold," Leonard F. Muhammad, chief of staff of the Nation of Islam, told a standing-room only crowd of 20,000 people in Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center prior to Min. Farrakhan’s keynote address.

He said Nation One is different from other phone service providers because it is "interested in improving the quality of life for Black people and others who are victims of discrimination and the lack of educational and employment opportunities."

"If we are working eight, 10, 12 hours a day for our open enemies, then we can work one or two hours for the resurrection of the dead" economically, he said, adding that the company is formed from the vision of the inspiration of the Million Man March.

The new communications service offers travel calling cards, prepaid phone cards, internet access, pagers, cellular phones, long distance service and 800 access numbers and other services. Nation One was formed by Muslims from the inspiration and vision of the Million Man March. The company calls Nation One "a telecommunications company that is a part of the community and gives back to the company."

Nation One will "be actively engaged in commercial enterprises and dedicated to educational and charitable purposes—which will improve the quality of life for Black people and others who are victims of discrimination and the lack of educational and employment opportunities," the company said.

For more information on Nation One, call (773) 324-6000.

The leader of the Nation of Islam also said he will lead over 10,000 members to the Holy City Mecca in the year 2000 to complete hajj (pilgrimage).

Minister Akbar Muhammad, the International Representative of the Nation of Islam, asked Muslims to make preparations for the event.

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and is a binding on every Muslim to complete if possible. Minister Farrakhan has performed hajj several times, and is received and highly regarded by scholars and the government of Saudia Arabia.