HARARE, Zimbabwe (FinalCall.com)�

HARARE, Zimbabwe�Zimbabweans have hailed the recent visit by Min. Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam in the United States, as a milestone in reminding Africans and Blacks in the Diaspora to continue fighting and speak with one voice to achieve total emancipation.

Min. Farrakhan who was in Harare, Zimbabwe for a three-day visit was coming from Durban, South Africa where he witnessed the launch of the African Union.

Speaking soon after Min. Farrakhan�s departure, prominent academic and political analyst Dr. Arthur-Jim Patsanza of the University of Zimbabwe said the visit by the Nation of Islam leader reminded him of the overpowering influence of Islam in shaping the lives of Black Americans in the United States.

�His visit brought back memories of Malcolm X, who was a minister of the Nation of Islam. Converted to Islam while in prison, Malcolm X benefited from the Muslim program of rehabilitation. Little or nothing most Whites read and heard informed them of the Muslim successes in rehabilitating Blacks that others considered beyond reclamation, or of the Muslim gospel that teaches Blacks to conquer their own shame and poverty by adhering to such virtues as hard work, honesty, self-discipline, mutual help and self-respect,� said Dr. Patsanza.

He said Malcolm X managed to conquer alcohol and other often-lethal drugs because of the assistance and influence of the doctrine of the Nation of Islam.

Echoing the same sentiments, a local banker and prominent businessman who owns the Metropolitan Bank in Harare, Enoch Kamushinda said Min. Farrakhan�s teaching had inspired him as a young man not to despair even under extreme conditions of colonial subjugation.

�Min. Farrakhan is a symbol of strength and hope not only to the American people but to all Blacks in the Diaspora and Africa. You are now a lone voice in the U.S. still waging the struggle for the total liberation of African Americans,� Mr. Kamushinda said.

He said people like Min. Farrakhan did not need an invitation to visit Zimbabwe because he was a fellow African and freedom fighter.

The chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Commander Joseph Chinotimba said Zimbabweans easily identified with Min. Farrakhan because of his uncompromising stand against any forms of oppression.

�One does not need to be a member of the Nation of Islam to appreciate the work that Min. Farrakhan has been doing, is doing and continues doing in all the troubled parts of this world. He is often depicted by the Western media as a racist and violent but the truth is that they don�t like him because he calls a spade a spade and speaks the truth,� said Mr. Chinotimba.

Mr. Chinotimba is one of the war veterans of the armed liberation struggle, which brought independence to Zimbabwe. He was also one of the war veterans who spearheaded farm occupations, which forced the government of President Robert Mugabe to implement the land reform program.

In a solidarity message to Min. Farrakhan, the Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) said the warm welcome that Zimbabweans offered the Minister should send a clear message to the U.S. government that she has no right to decide who should be Zimbabwe�s friends.

�We also denounce the denial by the British government to allow Minister Farrakhan entry into that country,� read the statement from the student body.

Zinasu represents all students from Zimbabwe�s institutions of higher learning.

During his three-day visit, Min. Farrakhan held a meeting with President Mugabe at which he expressed his support for the country�s land reform program aimed at empowering the landless majority.

He also met with the Deputy Minister of Health Dr. David Parirenyatwa and pledged to help Zimbabwe in its fight against the AIDS scourge.

The Minister wound up his trip by visiting the National Heroes Acre located on the outskirts of the capital city, and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and attended a luncheon hosted by local businesspeople in his honor.