THE NATION OF ISLAM: A CONCISE HISTORY; A TRUE ACCOUNT

“THE NATION OF ISLAM: A CONCISE HISTORY; A TRUE ACCOUNT"

By Fahim A. Knight

The Nation of Islam has always been an interesting organization to cover as a topic of discussion, as far as, its history, politics, theology, etc., and ordinarily it has always had its apologist and detractors debating either the correctness of the Nation of Islam’s theology or its historical relevance as an organization. This writer as CEO of KEEPING REAL THINK TANK http://fahimknightsworld.blogspot.com/ I am constantly asked about whether or not there exist any affiliation between myself, the Think Tank and the Nation of Islam and this writer often does not know how people will come to associate my KEEPING IT REAL THINK Tank with the Nation of Islam; the Nation of Islam is a religious based organization and we are not. Our primary mission is research; thus, looking at issues that affect African and African Americans, I must admit we do share that common thread but most of our research is multifaceted in intellectual scope , if it had to be categorized, it would fall perhaps in the category of "conspiracy theory" (although we do not accept nor recognize that term). We have more of an on-line Caucasian audience that follows our blogs than African Americans, but our philosophical base will not change.

The Nation of Islam was founded by Master W.F. Fard Muhammad on July 4, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan. He was born in the Holy City of Mecca, Saudi Arabia on February 26, 1877 and it has been recorded that Master Fard Muhammad was in and out of America, for some twenty (20) years prior to making his presences known to the Lost-Found black man and black woman of America whom he called the ‘Lost Tribe of Shabazz’. He said, “My name is W. F. Muhammad, I came to North America by myself" to reclaim and redeem black people whom he referred to as his 'uncle' he stated, "My uncle (referring to the African American) was brought over here by the Trader 379 years ago; my uncle can not talk his own language”; “he doesn’t know he is my uncle" Master Fard Muhammad claimed to have been from the Quraish tribe of Mecca, the same ethnic group that Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) belonged. (Reference: Elijah Muhammad; “Student Enrollment lessons for Register Muslims only).

He arrived in Detroit, Michigan and took on many aliases such as W.D Fard, Wallace Douglas, Mr. Ford, etc., which to protect his identity, but he began to teach door-to-door in one of the worst ghettos in America at that time in Detroit known as Paradise Valley. Moreover, many African Americans had migrated from the Deep South—Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, etc., to big urban metropolis like Detroit (Chicago, New York, Washington, DC, Newark, Baltimore) escaping racism, Jim Crow laws and were in search of economic, political and social relief and mobility. Many of these blacks were steeped in the Christian tradition; in particular the Pentecostal Church tradition---where salvation involved fire and brimstone sermons, Holy Ghost experiences, shouting, healing, speaking in tongues, anointing, etc., were common religious practices in the Christian Southern tradition. This was the Christian tradition we lived and the Bible was literally interpreted and there was no compromise when it came to God (the father), Jesus (the Son) and Holy Ghost. They often attended Church services seven (7) days a week and many blacks took these social and cultural norms with them to the north. Thus, we witness the southern rural backwoods church transition evolved into the storefront churches in the new urban cities. (Reference: C. Eric Lincoln: “Race Religion and the Continuing American Dilemma”)

This background is important to understanding the black religious experience in America and how other social and religious institutions formulated. The sociologist C. Eric Lincoln perhaps in 1961 wrote one of the most definitive books on the Nation of Islam and Black Muslim movement; titled, "The Black Muslims in America". Lincoln had acquired a Ph.D in theology from Boston University and was given some access by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad to carryout his scholarly investigation by being allowed to attend Mosque (Temple) meetings in the Boston area, to talk with Muslim believers, and had reasonable access to the Nation of Islam leadership. (Reference: C. Eric Lincoln: “The Black Muslims in America; third edition).

Minister Malcolm X, the National Representative of Elijah Muhammad who had spent considerable time in the Boston area organizing Temple Number 12 and it was Malcolm X who recommended and named Louis X (Farrakhan) as the Minister over the Boston Temple and he also gave interviews to C. Eric Lincoln.

I had the opportunity to sit under Larry 4X Prescott who now goes by the name of Minister Abdul Akbar Muhammad and he is one of the prolific Nation of Islam historians who gave a series of lectures in New York City at Muhammad’s Mosque Number 7 in the 1980s, titled, "A Concise History of Nation of Islam". This writer considers him an authority on the Nation of Islam's history. This writer was sought of disappointed that he never published the book on the history of the Nation of Islam as he promised. Minister Abdul Akbar Muhammad was recruited by Minister Malcolm X in the late 1950s and/or early 1960s and worked and served in the ministry class under Minister Malcolm X. (Reference: Abdul Akbar Muhammad: :Audio tapes “A Concise History of the Nation of Islam)

He is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to the Nation of Islam history—he readily has names, dates, and events in his memory bank and can recall Nation of Islam history of forty-five years just like it was yesterday. There are many international Muslims and Nation of Islam critics who are spewing misinformation and false propaganda against the Black Muslim Movement; reading books written by Zionist Jews, black pundits, and from inaccurate Internet Blog sites and gathering false information about the Nation of Islam but speaking with authoritative voices. Minister Akbar Muhammad is a long time friend and loyalist of Minister Farrakhan. The true history of Nation of Islam has yet to be written and only a Nation of Islam insider can truly do this subject justice. (Reference: Abdul Akbar Muhammad: :Audio tapes “A Concise History of the Nation of Islam).

Dr. C. Eric Lincoln lived and worked in Durham, North Carolina at Duke University as a professor emeritus and I had the opportunity to visit his home and the university and talked with him extensively about the Nation of Islam movement before his death. He coined the phrase "Black Muslim" and although many Nation of Islam members historically speaking took issue with his book and his historical contentions. It still remains as the first scholarly dissertation ever written on the Nation of Islam. I know both Minister Louis Farrakhan and Imam Warith Mohammed considered Dr. Lincoln as a friend of Islam. (Reference: Jabril Muhammad; This is This One: The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad; We Need Not Look for Another!”).

Master Fard Muhammad used the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur'an and some of Nation of Islam detractors have characterized Master Fard Muhammad as perhaps being from Pakistan because he introduced the Muhammad Ali translation of the Holy Qur'an and in America the Yusuf Ali translation of the Holy Qur'an was widely accepted amongst American Muslims. The Ahmadiyya Movement followers of Gullam Ahmed were the first Eastern group of Muslims who befriended blacks and made an attempt to introduce Islam to African Americans. Master Fard Muhammad based on American standards of race categorization looked white and Caucasian, but Elijah Muhammad taught that he was a half original man (Asiatic black man). Thus, he had a white mother and a black father. (Reference: Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad and Jane Idleman Smith; “Mission to America: Five Islamic Sectarian Communities in North America”).

In a society where race mattered more in the 1930s than perhaps in 2008, he came like a thief in the night; looking like the dominant white society but had an interest in elevating the African American race from their depressed and downtrodden—social, political and economic condition. He went door to door as a silk salesman teaching black people that before Chattel Slavery (1555-1865) they had a splendid and glorious history under the banner of Islam in the East and were from lineage of royal kings and royal queens. He taught them the importance of adhering to Islamic dietary laws and began to constantly win the confidence of some black people in Paradise Valley. (Reference: Nasir Makr Hakim: “The True History of Master Fard Muhammad’).

This writer heard Minister Abdul Akbar Muhammad state that prior to Master Fard Muhammad's mysterious disappearance he had converted over eight thousand blacks to the Islamic religion. Some historians maintained that in 1930 or 1931 he met Elijah Poole who was born on October 7, 1897 in Sandersville, Georgia (1897-1975). Poole and his growing family had migrated to Detroit from Macon, Georgia or Sandersville, Georgia. Poole was poor, destitute and unemployed. Poole met Master Fard Muhammad at a public meeting and immediately embraced Master Fard Muhammad teachings and even recognized him as the Savior. (Reference: Abdul Akbar Muhammad: :Audio tapes “A Concise History of the Nation of Islam).

Poole became very close with Master Fard Muhammad who taught Poole for three and one-half years day and night. Master Fard Muhammad initially renamed Elijah Poole, Elijah Kareem and told the believer here is Kareem. Master Fard Muhammad also gave his complete full name, which was Wali Fard Muhammad—Wali translated from the Arabic language means friend, Fard--means obligatory and Muhammad--means one worthy of praise and praise much. Moreover, in 1934 W.F. Muhammad turned the Nation of Islam's ministry and organization over to Elijah Kareem and Elijah said he accompanied W.F. Muhammad to the Airport where he boarded a flight to Mecca, which to be never seen again and has been cause for a lot of historical speculation over the years. (Reference: Elijah Muhammad: “The Supreme Wisdom: Solution to the so-called Negroes Problem”)

Elijah Kareem eventually changed his surname to Muhammad after his teacher W.F. Muhammad. Elijah Muhammad experienced serious threats and opposition from internal rival leaders within this fragile organization right after W.F. Muhammad disappeared and these threats eventually forced Muhammad to move out of Detroit and he went from city to city quietly propagating Islam. The writer personally met two of the old pioneers in Washington, DC backed in the early 1980s named Benjamin Muhammad and his wife Clara Muhammad; they housed Elijah Muhammad back in the late 1930s and early 1940s. This unique couple were probably in their late 80s and 90s when I met them and that has been over twenty-five years ago. (Reference: Jabril Muhammad; This is This One: The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad; We Need Not Look for Another!”).

Elijah Muhammad was convicted in 1942 of military draft evasion for refusing to being inducted in the U.S. Arm Forces and fighting in World War 11; although, he was a Conscientious Objector based on being Muslim and believing in the religion of Islam and he was forty-four years of age. He served about five (5) years in a Federal Prison in Milan, Michigan. His wife Clara Muhammad kept the organization alive during his untimely incarceration. (Reference: Clifton E. Marsh: “From Black Muslims to Muslims: The Transition from Separation to Islam 1930-1980).

This writer in about 1993, wrote and published a book on Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam titled, "In Defense of the Defender: The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad" Thus, I spent many hours surveying and reading the now vast body of literature on the Nation of Islam and as a social scientist evaluating and assessing the gamut of scholarship on the Nation of Islam---from the apologist and pundits perspective. Thus, what this writer found interesting was how the Nation of Islam historically sustained itself against United States Government opposition and form mainstream Islam. For example, there were earlier groups like the Moorish Science Temple of America, which was founded by Noble Drew Ali in 1913 in the City of Newark, New Jersey. Ali was the first Black Muslim leader to introduce Islam to black America in a formalized organizational manner. They barely survived after US Government attacks. (Reference: William H. Banks, Jr.; “The Black Muslims”)

Ali was born in 1886 in Cherokee, North Carolina and worked on the railroad line where he traveled throughout America. This writer and the historians are unclear whether or not he met Muslims from the East while traveling and did someone introduce him to the Oriental Mystic Sciences. But some historians maintained that Ali traveled to Egypt and Morocco and was initiated into the Egyptian Mystery Schools and was so-called commissioned by the High Imams of Egypt and Morocco to come back to North America and teach the blacks ex-slaves in America, Islam. (Reference: C. Eric Lincoln: “The Black Muslims in America; third edition).

But there is an equal and plausible contention, that Ali may have received his Islamic worldview from the Masonic school of thought—the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (the African American Shrine Organization) was founded in 1893 and the belief is that Drew Ali was actually initiated in the 32nd Degree and 33rd degree of Freemasonry, as well as initiated in the Mystic Shrine and this is where he received some of his knowledge relative to Islam. The Moorish Science Temple philosophy does have some similarities to the Speculative side of Shrine Masonry. Ali authored a book titled, “The Circle Seven: Holy Koran” there is little doubt that this book was inspired by Masonic Speculative philosophy and at the same time Ali was accused of plagiarizing the “Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ”. written by Levi H. Dowling. (Reference: Peter Lamborn Wilson: Sacred Essays on the Margins of Islam).

Noble Drew Ali's slave name was Timothy Drew, but he eventually adopted Abdul Sharrieff Ali as his Islamic attribute---holy name. The title Noble is a titled that Shrine Masonry uses to refer to brothers that have been initiated into the Mystic Shrine. Ali is of interest for a number of reasons; he so-called received an official governmental charter from President Woodrow Wilson, recognizing the Moorish Science Temple of America as a sovereign Islamic group and recognized that black Americans had a duly legalized nationality called Moorish Americans. This nationality or racial/ethnic recognition according to Ali afforded blacks certain legal and constitutional rights and even recognition within United Nations based on blacks’ linage being tied to the Moors of Africa. (Reference: Robert L. Uzzel, "The Moorish Science Temple: A Religion Influenced by Prince Hall Masonry”).

The Moors of North Africa had a splendid and glorious history, where Tarik Ibn Zaid in the 8th Century took civilization to Europe who were experiencing the Dark Ages. Some argue that W.F. Muhammad and Elijah Muhammad borrowed a lot of its teachings and theology from Ali and the Moorish Science Temple. Ali was murdered in 1929 and his organization, yet still around, but has not risen to the status of its former glory. (Reference: John G. Jackson and Willis N. Huggins; “A Guide to Studies in African History).

Also, there was Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a Jamaican immigrant who came to America in 1914 and who studied Islam and Pan Africanism under an Egyptian scholar who lived in London named Duce Muhammad Ali and eventually founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). Garvey was inspired by Booker T. Washington, the founder of Tuskegee Institute who preached self-reliance and the importance of blacks embracing vocational and technical training over a classical liberal arts education (Reference: Fahim Knight: Article; "W.E.B DUBOIS AND BOOKER T. WASHINGTON: THE GREAT DEBATE" ).

Garvey at the peak and height of the UNIA movement, it was recorded that he led the largest mass movement of blacks—five million, in the history of black America. Garvey did not teach Islam, but he taught Pan-Africanism and Black Nationalism. He popularized the Back-to-Africa movement; although there were others such as Paul Cufee, Martin Delaney, George Padmore, Henry Highland Garnett, Bishop McNeil Turner, etc., that had advocated this type of African nationalism some years before Marcus Garvey.(Reference: Edmund David Cronon, "The Black Moses: The Story of Marcus Garvey and the Negro Improvement Association").

Some historians make claim that Elijah Muhammad was a member in both the UNIA and the Moorish Science Temple of America. This writer has not fully substantiated such claims. However, there is no doubt that Nation of Islam borrowed some of the Nationalism concepts from these two fore-organizations. Garvey taught "Africa for the Africans at home and abroad" and called for African unity under the banner of “One God, One Aim, and One Destiny”. Garvey purchased ships with the intent of engaging in trade and commerce with Africa. He also was in discussion with the Liberian Government for acquiring land for which to relocate black Americans. (Reference: Amy Jacques-Garvey; “Philosophy and opinions of Marcus Garvey”).

The Federal Bureau of Investigation worked to sabotage Garvey and his UNIA movement. It was a young federal agent named J. Edgar Hoover in the 1920s who worked to prosecute Garvey of mail fraud. Elijah Muhammad taught a religious nationalism that also called for worldwide black unity under the banner of Islam. He also advocated that blacks pursue political, economic and social independence from the dominant white society. He advocated self-reliance above all else and preached thriftiness and the importance of doing-for-self. Muhammad's bootstrapped philosophy resonated with a lot of poor and oppressed blacks in the 1950s and 1960s. Thus, it was not until Minister Malcolm X began to preach and it was his efforts that led to attracting middle class and educated blacks to the Nation of Islam. Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes spearhead a documentary titled, "The Hate, that Hate Produced" and it was this program aired in the early 1960s that brought the Nation of Islam to the national attention of white America. (Reference: Fahim Knight; “In Defense of the Defender: The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad”).

The Nation of Islam experienced its biggest growth periods between the years of 1965-1975, post Minister Malcolm X era. The Nation of Islam under Elijah Muhammad built a 70 million dollar empire by 1975. The Nation of Islam was engaged in millions of dollars international fish trade arrangement with the nation of Peru. Muhammad owned a bank, had a printing press that published the "Muhammad Speaks' newspaper, owned a clothing manufacturing, restaurants and eateries, purchased various real-estate ventures, etc. (Reference: Clifton E. Marsh: “From Black Muslims to Muslims: The Transition from Separation to Islam 1930-1980).

The Nation of Islam's theology from its inception has always been controversial, Muhammad taught religious nationalism and was critical of the white society for the past injustices perpetrated against the black race. It was this black-white dynamic, in particular the racial injustice that was created by Chattel Slavery (1555-1619) that stood as the driving force behind the Nation of Islam's theological worldview. The Nation of Islam's theology was rooted in the black experience and it was designed to address the political reality of a western society that were the purveyors of violence and injustices through out the world. (Reference: Nasir Makar Hakim; “The True History of Elijah Muhammad: Messenger of Allah”).

Mainstream Islam as practiced in the East and the Islamic world condemned the Nation of Islam's teachings as being heretic and un-Islamic and very much unorthodoxy. But most of the international Islamic leaders: Hafez al Assad, Yassir Arafat, Muammar Qadaffi, and later Muhammad Anwar Sadat all kept a diplomatic and cozy relationship with the Nation of Islam’s patriarch, Elijah Muhammad.

This writer also had the opportunity to sit and gave his assistance to a history professor at North Carolina A&T State University named Claude Clegg and presently on the faculty at Indiana University at Bloomington. Dr. Clegg approached me during the research phase of writing his book and needed assisting in reaching out to former followers of Nation of Islam members who were part of the organization before 1976. Clegg went on to author a book titled, "An Original Man: Life and Times of Elijah Muhammad" published in 1997, it actually became the first scholarly research biography done on Muhammad. Clegg explained to me that he made attempts to reach out to the Nation of Islam hierarchy, but to no avail, and was rebuffed by top level officials under Minister Louis Farrakhan. Clegg cited me in his book but was very critical of my work. However, the Caucasian Swedish sociologist and theologian Matthias Gardell who was serving as a visiting professor at Duke University (Durham, NC) and authored the scholarly study titled, "In The Name of Elijah Muhammad: Louis Farrakhan" were given access to the Nation of Islam. (Reference: Claude Clegg; "An Original Man: Life and Times of Elijah Muhammad").

Muhammad taught that his teachings could be summed up in six words, "except your own and be yourself." He authored his most definitive treatise in 1965 titled; "Message to the Blackman in America" this book explains the Nation of Islam's theology in great detail. Muhammad taught separation and was opposed to Dr. Martin Luther King's call for integration and Civil Rights. He called integration a hypocritical trick; thus, he proclaimed the black man and woman of America to be the seed of Abraham and chosen of God according to the Bible in the book of Genesis and for that contention, the Zionist Jews back in the early 1960s labeled the Nation of Islam as an anti-Semitic organization. Muhammad said blacks were that people who were in bondage for 400 years who were kidnapped and taking to a strange land--America. (Reference: Elijah Muhammad; “Message to the Black of America”)

J. Edgar Hoover and FBI in the 1960 and 1970s under Cointelpro, a counter-intelligence program sent agent provocateurs and infiltrated to the Nation of Islam in order disrupt and neutralize the leadership. FBI director Hoover was obsessed with the "rise of a black Messiah" that could unify and electrify the masses of black people. Hoover also, spied, wiretapped, and eavesdropped on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a non-militant integrationist leader who supported mainstream ideas, but nevertheless he was scrutinized and was constantly under FBI surveillance just like Elijah Muhammad. Through the 1966 Freedom of Information Act some of the FBI Files were released to the public, which Hoover had accumulated massive surveillance documentation on all black leaders and organization from the most conservative to the most radical. (Reference: Baba Zak A. Kondo; “Unraveling the Assassination of Malcolm X”)

Elijah Muhammad died in 1975 and at the Nation of Islam's national Savior's Day Convention, it was publicly announced that Elijah Muhammad's next to the youngest son, Wallace Deen Muhammad would be succeeding his father as the new leader of the Nation of Islam. This decision was publicly endorsed by the Muhammad Royal Family and Nation of Islam ministerial hierarchy.

The younger Muhammad had always had a difficult relationship with his father and his teachings; he was punished numerous times for insubordination and was even ex-communicated a few times for organizational disobedience. Wallace Muhammad after six months of being the leader began to make drastic theological changes and organizational changes--he began to slowly move this once proud Black Nationalist organization toward Sunni Orthodox Islam, it went through various name changes, as well as ideological changes.(Alex Haley: “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”)

This writer has had the opportunity on numerous occasions to attend public speeches delivered by Imam Warith Mohammed (formerly Wallace Deen Muhammad). He appears to be very passionate about his Islamic mission, but he is for the most part, apolitical and his message often lacks relevance to the social, political, and economic crisis that faces African Americans and his message does not resonate beyond his loyal organizational base. He appears to be an Islamic spiritualist that has lost sight of black reality in order to pursue the needs of humanity.

Imam Mohammed is nearing seventy-five years of age and his Muslim American organization after thirty-five years is still fragile and lacks leadership direction. Imam Mohammed teaches Qur'an and if nothing else has brought a better understanding of Qur'an, Sunna, Hadiths, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Islamic religion as it is taught in the East. In 1977 splinter groups and sects began to take issue with Imam Mohammed dismantling the Nation of Islam and his mischaracterization of his father Elijah Muhammad’s teachings. (Reference: Silis Muhammad; "The Wake of the Nation of Islam").

Minister Silis Muhammad leader of the Lost-Found Nation of Islam in the West declared what he called a "spiritual war" against Imam Mohammed, which he explains in his book Titled, "The Wake of the Nation of Islam". Minister Silis Muhammad actually separated himself from Imam Mohammed prior to Minister Louis Farrakhan who in September of 1978 made a public break from Imam Mohammed's teachings and organization. Both Minister Silis Muhammad and Minister Louis Farrakhan reclaimed Elijah Muhammad's program, theology and mission, which to rebuild the Nation of Islam in Elijah's name. (Reference: Mathias Gardell: “In The Name of Elijah Muhammad: Louis Farrakhan).

However, they both had their own interpretations of Elijah Muhammad's teachings and mission. Minister Silis Muhammad mission took him to
Atlanta and Houston and Minister Louis Farrakhan's mission took him to Chicago where he eventually reclaimed a lot of the old real estate and property that were once owned by Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. Minister Farrakhan purchased most of the properties from Imam Mohammed's bankrupt organization; such as the old cathedral style edifice (once Temple Number 2 owned by Elijah Muhammad), which was refurbished now stands as Farrakhan’s Flagship Mosque on Stony Island Avenue and was renamed Mosque Maryam. Farrakhan also repurchased Elijah Muhammad's home in the Hyde Park section of Chicago. (Reference: Mathias Gardell: “In The Name of Elijah Muhammad: Louis Farrakhan).

Minster Farrakhan perhaps came to national prominence during Reverend Jesse Jackson’s 1984 presidential election and served as the voice that attracted the militant-radical left into supporting Jackson’s campaign for president of the United States of America. Farrakhan was well respected by the black community; he was charismatic and perhaps one of the greatest orators in the history of black America. He stomped for Reverend Jackson and the Rainbow Coalition and Operation PUSH and won Jackson credibility and new allies from the radical left. Jackson had won a few southern political primaries and for a political novice, he was doing quite well against some well financed and formidable opponents. (Reference: A. Marshall; “ Louis Farrakhan: Made in America”)

Jackson was rallying in New York City and during a private off the camera conversation, he referred to New York as “Hymietown” (a racial slur referencing Jews and the inordinate amount of power and influence they wield over New York). Milton Coleman, a black news reporter for the Washington Post heard Jackson make what was perceived as an anti-Semitic remark; although, it was supposedly said off the record and in a private conversation, but the opportunistic Coleman reported and made public Jackson’s remarks. (Reference: A. Marshall; “ Louis Farrakhan: Made in America”)

The Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith (ADL), the Jewish Defense League, Jewish Defense Organization, etc., and a host of other radical Jewish organizations began to attack Reverend Jackson labeling him, a Jew hater and anti-Semitic and would show-up at all his political rallies with signs that read “Ruin Jesse, Ruin”. Jackson and his family began to receive death threats against his life. Minister Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam started providing around the clock security for Jackson and although he was a presidential candidate the United States Secret Service initially refused to provide Jackson with a security detail team. (Reference: A. Marshall; “ Louis Farrakhan: Made in America”)

Farrakhan warned the Jews and white America that blacks will not stand silent by and watch Reverend Jackson become assassinated. Speaking from his Final Call Administration building Farrakhan was talking about the Third Reich and reference Adolph Hitler as being “wickedly great”. He further stated that the Nation of Israel has not had any peace in forty years and she will never have any peace, because there can be no peace structured on injustice, thievery and lying and using God’s holy and righteous name to shield your dirty religion. Farrakhan also said Milton Coleman one day when we come to power a traitor like you we will soon punish you with death. This is my recollection of 1984 and the chain of events. The Zionist Jews jumped all of Minister Farrakhan and eventually Jackson was forced to repudiate his long time friend and comrade. (Reference: A. Marshall; “ Louis Farrakhan: Made in America”).

Minister Farrakhan’s popularity amongst black America soared in 1985 he spoke to over thirty-five thousand blacks at Madison Square Garden New York City amidst heavy Zionist Jewish opposition led by Mayor Edward Koch. But blacks came out in wholesale numbers to hear what Farrakhan had the say and he became the preeminent black leader in America. Farrakhan had many brushes with the Jews perhaps none more painful than the controversy created by his former National Spokesman Khallid Abdul Muhammad at Kean College in Union, New Jersey. This writer had also known Minister Dr. Khallid Muhammad for some while and he has always represented that militant and radical version of the Nation of Islam’s theology, but it was acceptable. Dr. Muhammad referenced himself as being “Farrakhan’s Flamethrower” and indeed he was just that. However, in 1994 he was delivering a speech titled, “The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews”, in which the Nation of Islam Historical Research Department had written a book of the same title. Dr. Muhammad quoting from a flier that was handed out by Jews at the Kean College stated: (Reference: Khallid Abdul Muhammad: “The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews: The Kean College Speech”).

"The biggest historical controversy rest on Jewish commercial involvement in the Slave Trade. This book claims that the Jews were the main beneficiaries of the Slave economy, but the established historical record finds only about two percent Jewish involve­ment." Don't misunderstand guy, our position, that was two percent too many. "Still probably all Jewish Slave Traders combined didn't buy and sell as many slaves as did the firm of Franklin and Unsel, the largest Negro traders in the South. Furthermore, The Secret Relationship has explicitly drawn on the rhetoric of White Supremacist, who hatred for Jews, is matched only by their contempt for Blacks. The stereotypes of both minorities have a haunting similarity”.

“The truth is that all of the European Powers were involved in the Slave Trade and it was supported by nearly all White Americans, including Protestants, Catholics, labor and business, North and South. And Slavery in North America predated the first Jewish emigration by over thirty years. Moreover, a broader historical context, finds only minor role of Jews in the Slave Trade, but a profound role of Jews in the struggle for Civil Rights. Some even gave their lives and many saw the inside of Southern Jails. The record for working together for social justice is much broader than the negative incidents of this book focus. The whole record should not be forgotten” Reference: Khallid Abdul Muhammad: “The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews: The Kean College Speech).

Dr Khallid Muhammad reads, “Throughout the history of the practice, (Jews and the African Slave Trade), Jews have been involved in the purchase and sale of human beings. This fact is confirmed by their (Jewish) own scholars and historians. Whose scholars and historians? In his book, A History Of The Jews, Solomon Grayzel, a Jew, states that "Jews were among the most important Slave dealers". What did he say? They were among the most important, what? In European Society. Lady Katie Magnus writes that in the Middle Ages, "the principal purchas­ers of Slaves were found among the Jews.

“They seem to be always and everywhere at hand to buy and to have the means equally ready to pay." Henry L. Feingold and they are always looking for gold, stated that "Jews who were frequently found at the heart of commerce, could not have failed to contribute a proportionate share to the Slave Trade directly or indirectly. Solomon Grayzel, A History Of The Jews: From Babylonian Exile To The End Of World War II, Philadelphia Jewish Publication Society of America Page 312. Lady Katie Magnus outlines of Jewish history, and it goes on to tell you, the different Jewish publishing houses that published it, but it also tells you that it could be founded in the "Jewish Encyclopedia" New York and London, and it goes on to tell you which edition,? What page? What volume?” (Reference: Khallid Abdul Muhammad: “The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews: The Kean Speech College).

It was this speech that eventually severed Farrakhan’s and Dr. Muhammad’s relationship. Minister Farrakhan rebuked his National spokesman and suspended him for not representing the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad in the best manner. Yet, he said he stood by the truths Dr. Muhammad spoke. Minister Farrakhan and Dr. Muhammad’s relation became strained after the Kean College incident. Dr. Muhammad joined and became one of the leaders and spokesman for the New Black Panther Party and took many dissatisfied Nation of Islam members with him. This writer had an opportunity to sit and talk with Dr. Khallid Muhammad numerous times at the Blacknificent Book store and Culture Center in Raleigh, North Carolina headed by Dr. Kamou Kambon. Dr. Khallid had strong convictions and was unapologetic for his allege anti-Semitic remarks.

Minster Farrakhan in 1995 called and led perhaps one on the largest protest and demonstrations in American history called the MILLION MAN MARCH at the capital Washington, DC where over two million black men came to demonstrate unity and to accept Atonement, Reconciliation and Responsibility. Farrakhan also won new allies from around Africa and the Islamic World. The Nation of Islam still remains as a viable presences in the black community, but as Minister Farrakhan stares his own mortality in the face and the Nation of Islam has to be thinking about a viable successor to Minister Farrakhan whose perhaps seventy-five years of age. (Reference: Kim Martin Sadler; “Atonement: The Million Man March).

Fahim A. Knight Chief Researcher for KEEPING IT REAL THINK TANK located in Durham, NC; our mission is to inform African Americans and all people of good will of the pending dangers that lie ahead; as well as decode the symbolisms and reinterpret the hidden meanings behind those who operate as invisible forces, but covertly rules the world. We are of the belief that an enlighten world will be better prepared to throw off the shackles of ignorance and not be willing participants for the slaughter. Our MOTTO is speaking truth to power. Fahim A. Knight can be reached at fahimknight@yahoo.com.

STAY AWAKE UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN,
Fahim A. Knight