I don't have a problem with the piece. It is good information all in one nice package. I should have been more specific about what I liked in the post above. Here is the part I really like:
The most dangerous form of evil is the one that looks good and seems good. Unless you understand that Farrakhan looks good and seems good, you will never be able to sway those that may be foolish enough to fall under his spell.
The poster has a point. To change hearts and minds, you have to strip away the veneer that is alluring to so many. Farrakhan has a penchant for present, past and future evils and he must be revealed.
I. Group Profile
Name: Nation of Islam also known as the World Community of Al-Islam in the West, American Muslim Mission, The Nation of Peace, the Black Muslim Movement, and NOI.
Founder: Born Wallace Dodd Fard, also known as Wali Farad or Wali Farad Muhammad.
Date of Birth: circa 1891
Place of Birth: There is much controversy over his place of birth; FBI files indicate Portland, Oregan, other sources point to New Zealand.1 Fard himself as well as followers, claim Mecca.
Year Founded: 1930 in Detroit, Michigan
Holy Text: Qur'an, although the Bible has very minor influences on the teachings, specifically with the introduction of Islam into the Black community.
Cult or Sect: Negative sentiments are typically implied when the concepts "cult" and "sect" are employed in popular discourse. Since the Religious Movements Homepage seeks to promote religious tolerance and appreciation of the positive benefits of pluralism and religious diversity in human cultures, we encourage the use of alternative concepts that do not carry implicit negative stereotypes. For a more detailed discussion of both scholarly and popular usage of the concepts "cult" and "sect," please visit our Conceptualizing "Cult" and "Sect" page, where you will find additional links to related issues.
Size of Group: Exact size is difficult to determine. Estimates range from 10,000 to 100,000.2
| Profile | History | Reform | Beliefs | Issues | Links | Bibliography |
II. History of the Group
The roots of the Nation of Islam can be traced back to the early part of the 20th century with the emergence of black militant groups. For the most part, NOI surfaced as a social movement, "a large organized group of people committed to collective goals and ideals to preserve or change the existing political economic structure and human relationships in a society"3. The NOI is a specific type of movement because it not only is designed for winning black converts but also focuses on black socioeconomic issues. "A black nationalist movement is an organized effort to create a collective consciousness and racial/cultural pride"4.
In this sense the Nation of Islam is as much a movement for change as it is one of religious enlightenment. Movements such as the Nation of Islam arise during periods of social change and the time period of its formation, circa 1930, was a crucially dynamic period in the United States. The aftermath of World War I coupled with the Great Depression combined to create social conditions that provoked discontent among blacks. Following the Great Migration of southern blacks to northern cities such as Chicago, New York and Detroit, blacks experienced a period of prosperity and "expected their status to continue to improve [but experienced the inverse] when their status dropped after the war, and frustration, anxiety and discontent arose"4.
In addition to being huddled in crowded, poor urban areas, blacks had to compete with whites for jobs. These social conditions made black nationalism an attractive alternative for African Americans. So it was under these conditions that "the Nation of Islam began in the black community of Detroit in 1930 during an era of hunger, discontent, anguish, and disillusionment."5
Wallace Fard is officially credited with founding the NOI but much of the doctrine and beliefs of the NOI stem from the teachings of Noble Drew Ali and his Moorish Holy Temple of Science." The Nation of Islam evolved from the Moorish Temple of Science Organization founded by Timothy Drew"6.
The basis of Drew's (later known as Noble Drew Ali) teaching held that African Americans were actually of Islamic heritage and therefore should be referred to as "Moors." Drew taught that Islam, not Christianity was the original, and therefore the correct, faith of African Americans." Ali also stated that [the terms] Negro and Black signified death and Colored signified something painted. Therefore the terms Asiatic, Moor or Moorish-American must be used. Ali taught that salvation was found by discovering national orignal and refusing to be called Negro, Black, Colored, Ethiopian, etc."7.
Drew also instilled the idea of Moorish superiority over the white race. Drew continued his teachings until his mysterious death in 1929. After Drew's death, his following splintered into numerous fractions. On one side, there is John Given El who believed himself to be the reincarnation of Noble Drew, on the other there is Wallace D. Fard who also believed himself to be the reincarnation of Nobel Drew. The original followers of Drew took two diverging paths. One group followed John Givens and became the Morish Americans of the Moorish Temple of science based in Chicago, and the other group following Fard became The Nation of Islam. 8
Using the foundation laid by Noble Drew, the Nation of Islam was born. In 1930 in Detroit, a door to door salesman, going by the name Wallace Fard, began preaching his remedies for the problems that plagued the black community. His job as a salesman gave him easy access into the homes of blacks throughout the city. While inside the homes he began preaching his doctrine of black separatism, white evil, and Christian manipulation. He used Blacks' familiarity with the Bible as a spring board to his preaching, gradually easing into Qur'anic text.
Fard's three main concepts, which became the foundation for the NOI ideology, were "Allah is God, the white man is the devil and the so called Negroes are the Asiatic Black People, the cream of the planet earth"9. Fard felt that blacks would not achieve freedom, equality,and justice until they not only regained their true religion and language (Islam and Arabic) and but also gained a separate state.
Frad preached to his listeners how Christianity was the white man's religion used to enslave and subjugate the asiatic (black) man's mind. To him, the Christian faith would never serve to solve the problems that plagued the black community. In fact,it had often been used as a device to keep black subordinate. The "Christian religion was and is the master stratagem for keeping the so-called Negroes enslaved... [this] 'slave religion' taught them to love their oppressor and prey for those who persecute them"10. From 1930 to 1934, Fard successfully recruited 8,000 followers into his Lost-Found Nation of Islam. 11
One of Fard's First Chief Ministers was a man by the name of Elijah Poole. After Fard's mysterious disappearance in June of 1934, his most dedicated head minister Elijah Muhammad (formally known as Robert Pool) took over the movement. The primary reason for Elijah's devotion to Fard was that he believed Fard was God in person. In fact, Elijah is entirely responsible for the deification of Fard as well as the perpetuation of Fard's beliefs.12
After Fards disappearance, Elijah established a second temple in Chicago which eventually became the main headquarters for the NOI. Elijah was very strict and authoritative in his role as head of the Nation of Islam. This strong hold over the organization even held true while Elijah was in prison serving time for draft evasion during the Second World War. While incarcerated, Elijah was able to run the NOI via giving his orders to his wife Clara and his head ministers. So even in prison, the organization never acted without his direct consent and direction. Under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad the organization took shape into the beliefs and practices the NOI is famous for such as their ideas of black racial superiority, and racial separation. Elijah remained head of the NOI until his death in 1975 when his son Wallace Muhammad took over the ranks. 13
Wallace Muhammad and the Reform Era
Wallace Muhammad was never a completely "devout" or "blind faith" follower of the Nation of Islam. In fact, in the years of his involvement with the organization he frequently butted heads with his father Elijah over Islamic ideology.
Wallace was excommunicated and reinstated frequently (at least four times) 1 for conflicting with Elijah Muhammad "over the philosophy (self help), the theology (Islamic Nationalism), and ideology (black separatism)."14
One such reason for an expulsion was a revelation that he and his close friend Malcolm X came to. They concluded that Elijah had not only misrepresented both Fard's doctrines and Islam itself, but that Fard could have not possibly been Allah. Another incident which caused tension between Wallace and his father was Wallace's investigation and questioning of Elijah's adulterous affairs.
Although it may seem odd that one who was repeatedly reprimanded for acting out contrary to the NOI doctrines should take over the organization, it was prophesized by Fard that Wallace would be the eventual successor. Fard said that Elijah's seventh child would be a son and that son would be destined to lead the NOI and because of this vision, Wallace was given leadership. 15
Immediately after Elijah Muhammad's death, Wallace began implementing drastic and dramatic changes within the NOI moving it towards traditional Islam. With the reorganizing, denationalizing, decentralizing, and orthodizing, Wallace changed the most powerful black nationalist group into an Orthodox Islamic group.16 He implemented seven main changes which drastically altered the structure and goals of the group.
First, he did away with the doctrine of black racial superiority taught by Elijah Muhammad.
Secondly, he redefined Fard as a wise man and not God himself.
Third, he restored Malcolm X's legacy as a respected and prominent member.
He separated business from religious practices.
He ended the desire for a separate state.
He honored the US Constitution.
Lastly, he aligned the NOI doctrine with Orthodox Islamic practices.
In addition, he changed the name of the NOI, first to the Bilalian Community, then to the World Community of Al-Islam in the West, to the American Muslim Mission (1980s), and finally to the Muslim Mission (1990s). "Each change was an effort to make the organization and it's members adhere to strict, traditional Islamic principles and to exclude race, nationalism, and racial images of God and phrophets from theory and worship."17 The Muslim Mission now holds orthodox Islamic views and is accepted as part of the traditional Islamic community. 18
During the time Wallace Muhammad implemented his orthodizing changes, NOI followers who strongly believed in the doctrine of black racial superiority and racial separation as taught by Fard and Elijah Muhammad, left the NOI. They felt that "Muhammad ha[d] esentially fallen from the African Nationalist ideological tree. The American Muslim Mission does not represent the ideas of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad or the founding fathers of the race conscious ideology." 19 One such defecter was Louis Farrakhan, the outspoken Black Muslim. To continue the legacy of African Nationalist thought, Minister Louis Farrakhan broke from the group to reestablish the legacy of the NOI. "Farrakhan has picked up the baton from the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and continues his legacy as his spiritual son."20
| Profile | History | Reform | Beliefs | Issues | Links | Bibliography |
III. Beliefs and Practices of the Nation of Islam
The Nation of Islam deviates considerably from the teachings of orthodox Islam. Their idea of black racial superiority and whites as evil is contradictory to the teachings of racial equality found in Orthodox Islam. Although the title of this group seems to infer that they are part of the Orthodox Islam religion, this is not the case. There are significant differences ranging from interpretation of the Five Pillars to the perception that the members of the NOI have in regards to our diverse culture. The NOI is much more inclusive and politically radical than Orthodox Muslims. Two of the Black Muslims' doctrines are at the heart of the controversy: their insistence that blacks must separate themselves from the abhorrent and doomed race and their belief that it is the manifest destiny of the Black Nation to inherit the earth. These doctrines are in flagrant contrast to orthodox Islamic ideals of an all-embracing unity of mankind.21
Differences Between the Nation of Islam and the Orthodox Muslim Church:
One great difference between members of the Nation of Islam and Orthodox Muslims is their perspective on the Qur'an. Orthodox Muslims believe that it was Allah's last revelation to mankind and that this occurred between the years of 610 and 632 CE. The Nation of Islam teachings on the subject are contradictory. On the one end, they state that they believe in the Qur'an and the writings of all the prophets of God. On the other side, the members also state that they believe that they are the original nation, the writers of the Bible and Qur'an, and the creators of history. 22
Another discrepancy is in the belief of the personification of Allah. The Nation of Islam professes that Allah appeared in the flesh as W.D. Fard. Orthodox Muslims believe that at no time did Allah appear in any physical form.23
Al Islam teaches that the Prophet Muhammad was the last of the messengers that Allah has sent to us, and the one for all to follow. The Nation of Islam believes that Elijah Muhammad was also a messenger. He was taught by God himself (W. D. Fard).24
Overall, the Orthodox Muslims believe in the equality of all. There is no one superior group over another. Hierachical structures are based on the ability to submit to the will of Allah. The Nation of Islam is more of a political movement hoping to find a solution for the plight of the African-American.25
Followers of the Nation of Islam spiritually believe that:
There is only one God whose name is Allah as well as a belief in Allah's prophets and the scriptures they brought to the people.
They follow the Holy Qu'ran and believe in the scriptures of all of the prophets of God.
They also believe in the truth of the Bible but see that it's truth has been skewed and misinterpreted.
They believe in the Judgment, but that the first judgment will take place in the United States.
In addition NOI followers see themselves as God's chosen people who can mentally be resurrected.26
Black Muslims are expected to pray five times daily: morning, noon, midafternoon, sundown, and before bed. These prayers must be made facing east (towards Mecca) only after one thoroughly cleanses the body. They are required to attend at least two temple meetings per week. Black Muslims are also forbidden from eating certian foods such as pork and corn bread, not only because they contribute to a "slow death," but that they are unclean or foods that constituted part of a slave diet.27.
There are strict moral codes between the interaction of the sexes and how the sexes are to act. Muslim women can not wear makeup or tight and revealing clothes and must not be alone with any man other than their husbands. Interracial sexual relationships are strictly forbidden and anyone who engages in such activities faces expulsion from the organization. Clear and obvious distinctions are made to indicate behavior and social roles appropriate for males and females. Women learn these rules of conduct during Muslim Girls Training while men learn their roles as members of the Fruit of Islam. 28
The teachings proclaim that the black man is the original man, ancestor to the entire human race, and that the white race is the result of an experiment of an evil scientist named Yacub. Approximately six thousand years ago Yacub used a recessive gene in the Black race to create the biological mutated Caucasians. These mutated Blacks were "Bleached of the essence of humanity [and] were without soul." 29.To NOI members, "the white man is a devil by nature, absolutely unredeemable and incapable of caring about or respecting anyone who is not white [and] is the historic, persistent source of harm and injury to black people"30. Because of Yacub's malicious mischief, Whites would rule humanity for an extended period of time until the black race once again gains control. They believe the coming of Farad is the beginning spark to the black race regaining control.31
Members of the Nation of Islam see themselves as "Asiatic," the direct descendants of the black nation of Asia part of the continent of Africa. "The Original Man is the Asiatic Blackman, the Owner, the cream of the planet earth, God of the Universe"32. Within the Asiatic Nation is the "Tribe of Shabazz," those of direct African descent and earth's original people, who were enslaved by whites for hundreds of years. It was Fard and Elijah Muhammad who were sent to find this lost nation and relocate them into an independent state. This separatism was based, in part, on the idea that "Blacks" were never Americans by nature or race and therefore renounce their citizenship as Americans and denounce their loyalty to the United States.33
As a social movement, the Nation of Islam primarily has three main goals:
The United Front of Black Men
Racial Separation
Economic Separation34.
The United Front of Black Men
This is the idea of Black unity: to have all Black men in America reunited with his own. To have all Black men join together under the umbrella of the Nation of Islam to achieve their goals together for there is strength in numbers.
Racial Separation
Quite simply, this idea states that there be complete separation of the Black and White races. "Only with complete racial separation will the perfect harmony of the universe be restored."35
Economic Separation
The ideal of this goal is to have complete economic withdrawal from the White community because white economic dominance gives them ultimate power over blacks. The key to black economic separatism and security lay in five steps labeled the "Economic Blueprint:"
Recognize the necessity for unity and group activities.
Pool your resources, physically as well as financially.
Stop wanton criticism of everything that is black-owned and black operated.
Keep in mind that jealousy destroys from within.
Work hard in a collective manner"36.
| Profile | History | Reform | Beliefs | Issues | Links | Bibliography |
IV. Issues/Controversies
Malcolm X
Malcolm Little was born on May 19,1925 to Louise and Earl Little of Omaha, Nebraska. Mrs. Little was a mulatto born in Grenada and his father was a Baptist minister and organizer for Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association.
Malcolm never finished high school and became accustomed to living in a hustler society. He was nicknamed "Red" because of the color of his hair, and lived up to this title. He was quick-tempered and able to commit acts of violence. On February of 1946, Malcolm was convicted on a robbery charge and sentenced to seven years in prison.37
While in prison, Malcolm became a follower of the Nation of Islam. He was initially introduced to NOI teachings by two incarcerated members of the Detroit Temple and began a correspondence with Elijah Muhammad. They communicated through mail and Malcolm became further and further intrigued by the NOI beliefs. With the support of his sister and brother, he became a member of the Nation of Islam. He discarded his master's surname and changed it to X, a practice done by NOI members that signifies the unknown, true tribal name of their African ancestors. After his parole in 1952, Malcolm X performed organizational tasks for the nation under the guidance of Elijah Muhammad. Almost immediately, Malcolm became the main spokesman for Elijah Muhammad. Because of his charismatic speaking and his mass appeal, he was responsible for dramatically increasing the number of NOI followers during the early 1960s.38
Partly due to tensions within the Black Muslim Movement, Malcolm X became critical of his leader, Elijah Muhammad. What sparked this criticism was allegations of Elijah's Muhammad's sexual exploits with many of his secretaries. What disturbed Malcolm about these accusations was not so much that Elijah Muhammad was capable of doing such immoral acts, but that he was denying and even trying to cover up what he had done instead of "facing what he had done before his followers, as a human weakness or as a fufillment of prophecy -- which Muslims would have understood...or at least accepted."39
Due to this conflict, Malcolm allegedy began recieving death threats from loyal NOI supporters.The final straw that compounded the tension between Malcolm and the NOI occurred after he negatively commented on the assassination of John F. Kennedy, saying that the assassination was a case of "the chickens coming home to roost" (the implication being that the President brought the assassination upon himself). Because of this, he was silenced for ninety days from all speaking and official duties. During that period, he left the Nation of Islam and founded the Muslim Mosque, Inc. and the Organization of Afro-American Unity.40
In 1964, Malcolm X journeyed on the pilgrimage to Mecca. The hajj forced him to review his ideas on integration and embrace the traditional values of Islam. After the trip, he believed that it was possible for Caucasians to contribute to the struggle. He then adopted the name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.
On Feburary 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan while addressing supporters. Three members of the Nation of Islam were convicted for murder. It has also been suspected by many of his followers that the government also had something to do with his murder. These accusations have never been confirmed.41
Louis Farrakhan
Louis Farrahkan is one of the most controversial figureheads associated with the Nation of Islam. Farrakhan was born Louis Eugene Walcott in Bronx, NY in 1933, but moved to Boston, Mass. with his mother and brother by age four. It was in the city of Boston that he would be introduced to the NOI. At twenty-two, he became interested in the organization while Malcolm X was in Boston establishing Temple No. 11.42
Through his dedication to the movement, he eventually became one of the heads of the Boston Temple and remained with the organization until he left in 1977 due to dissatisfaction with the changes implemented by Wallace's leadership. In breaking from the organization he set out to reestablish the legacy of Elijah Muhammad.
At first, Farrakhan went along with the changes implemented by Wallace Muhammad. But as more and more changes began debunking Elijah Muhammad's vision, Farrakhan became uneasy. Wallace was destroying the work and the teachings that Farrakhan believed in. Farrakhan could no longer be a part of an organization that held different beliefs from him. "Something had to give and it did. In 1977 after some thirty months of the Wallace reformation, Farrakhan left Wallace Muhammad's world community of Islam in the West to rebuild Elijah's Lost Found Nation of Islam."43
The ideology of the Nation of Islam under Farrakhan is almost indistinguishable from what it was under Elijah Muhammad, however, there are slight differences. One such change is no longer desiring a separate state, instead the NOI opts for just economic separation.
However controversial Farrakhan may be, to contemporary blacks the social and economic message he preaches is very appealing. Through his messages, he has given many urban blacks a sense of hope and blamed their social and economic condition on the system, and the larger racist white society; but Louis Farrakhan is most notably known for outspokenness and leading of the black community and his inflammatory statements about Jews.
Million Man March
On October 16,1995 approximately a million black men came together for a day of unity, atonement, and reconciliation in Washington D.C. It was a march to strengthen the black community. This movement was envisioned by the controversial Louis Farrakhan. Farrakhan organized the march to help dispel the negative image the public has of black males ( 210K AIFF sound or 210K WAV sound). It was a call for black men to take responsibility for themselves and their families. It also advocated a fight against drugs, violence, and unemployment.
One problem some had with the march was not its goal, not its message, but its messenger Louis Farrakhan. Many view Farrakhan as prejudiced and numerous Black churches refused to endorse or support the march. Just days prior to the march, Farrakhan made sweeping anti-Semitic and racial remarks about Jews, Koreans, and Vietnamese being bloodsuckers who take advantage of the black community.44 Commentaries such as these make many nervous and angry. It had people asking: how can one so filled with hate and prejudice lead a civil rights march that asks for equality and justice? In addition to the racial issues Farrakhan's presence evokes, many women see the march as sexist. Organizers of the march asked women to "stay at home," a request that was a flagrant slap in the face to most black women who have fought for equality and justice along side men.45
To many, the march was the beginning. The supporters were challenged to continue this mission and to help make a difference. It has been credited for an increase in voter registration, applicants to adopt black children, a decrease in Black-on-Black crime, and an increased interest in serving the Black community.
Nation of Islam vs Jews
One of the most controversial issues regarding the beliefs of the Nation is their feelings towards the Jewish community. Although the Black Muslims reject the idea that they have a special antipathy for Jews, their actions and statements often prove otherwise.
Much of the context behind Black anti-Semitism is rooted in the 1960s when there was a drastic erosion of Black-Jewish relations. 46 Such issues as Jews having control over schools in black communities (because of the large percentage of Jewish teachers) to the feeling that Jews, who were once avid supporters of civil rights, had turned their backs on blacks due to an overall decline in American anti-Semitism. The Jews no longer needed civil rights because they had gained their liberation on the backs of blacks. 47 Add to that the fact that Jews lived, in significant numbers, in the black communities and came to be seen as leeching off of blacks. All of this fueled black anti-Semitic feelings.
One of the issues regarding Jews is their racial classification. If Jews are thought of as Semites, then they are not really 'white' and should be considered Arabs and part of the Black Nation.48 Although some Muslim ministers hold this view, the majority disregard this distinction and classify them as white. Most see "the Jew as a white man because he is accepted as a white man."49
Deeper animosity towards Jews stems from the ideas that they are attempting to overpower the black community by undermining them economically. 50 The argument is that Jewish merchants move into black neighborhoods and then open family business in those communities. They then profit off of the community and become extremly wealthy, all the while never employing blacks. "[Blacks] are footing the bill, but there isn't a single black face behind a single counter in the store." 51
By many of the Nation's members, the Jews are accused of attempting to overpower the Black community. The members of the Nation of Islam believe that the Jews keep a tight hold on public opinion through their control of mass communication. They claim that the Jewish communities own much of the television and radio stations and use these methods of communication to further their cause. Black Muslims also resent the presence of the Jews in the Black communities. Oftentimes, a Jewish merchant will open a family business in the lower class community. This is seen as the Jewish man leeching on the Black community since he will take their money, but not hire them to work or associate with them.52
The book titled The Secret Relationship between Blacks and Jews, written by the Historical Research Department of the Nation of Islam, explores its distrust and animosity towards the Jewish Community. Basically, the main idea is that Jews have been directly linked to participating in and perpetuating the slave trade. "Jews have been conclusively linked to the greatest criminal endeavor ever undertaken against an entire race of people -- the Black African Holocaust ."53
The book argues that Jews not only dominated the Atlantic slave trade but were also major slave traders and slave owners in the south. In addition, it claims that Jews exploited blacks during and after reconstruction. the book also claims that Jews, being greedy and money hungry, enjoyed reaping the financial benefits that such exploitation provided. Allegations such as these, for obvious reasons, angered and offended the Jewish community. Critics of the book argue that it is "fictitious, lopsided historical overview...[that] distorts the complex factors which led to the trans-Atlantic slave trade.54 Continuing anti-Semitic attacks and remarks such as these, have created uneasy and tense relationships between members of the NOI and Jews.
Sentiment towards the Nation of Islam
When most American (that is, white Americans) think of the Nation of Islam, the image that strikes them is one of an organization that is racist, anti-white, and anti-American that is now headed by Louis Farrakhan, a "anti-Semite, racist, sexist, homophobe, and looney."55
The image white American has of the Nation of Islam comes not from first hand interaction with its members, but from media portrayals of the NOI and it's leaders such as Louis Farrakhan. Black Nationalism is often interpreted in the popular media as being anti-white "and is uniformly portrayed as being bad for American race relations."56 They see people like Farrakhan and the NOI as damaging: hindering and destroying racial tolerance in the United States.
What seems to be the real negative feelings behind white America's sentiment against the NOI is fear: Fear of the NOI's message of being angry and fed up with white America's treatment of the black man. Their fear can also be seen as fear of the unfarmiliarity, not only with the organization but also with the potential power (against whites) that it is capable of yielding. When a young member of the NOI was invited to a college class room57 many white students were not only stunned by him being there but they also "said they had felt scared speechless in his presence...they assumed that [he] hated them because he was a member of the Nation of Islam. "58 Much of their reaction to the young NOI member was limited to the media portrayal of the NOI and it's leader Farrakhan.
Farrakhan has received more press coverage than any other African American, with the exception of Jessie Jackson. The coverage of his statements and beliefs however anti-Semitic and anti-white they may be, have ironically made him more sympathetic to blacks. "The irony is this: the more the media portray Farrakhan as a manace to society, the more sympathetic he seems to African Americans."59 What happens is that the media tends to focus on white reactions to Farrakhan, as well as issues dealing with race relations. Since often time the white reaction to Farrakhan is negative, this causes backs to side with or sympathize with Farrakhan.
Farrakhan and the NOI in general, have had a profound impact on the black youth. "No leader has had more of an impact on the Hip-Hop Generation than Louis Farrakhan."60 Few leaders and organizations make themselves accesable to the youth. "Farrakhan has a unique ability to reach deeply into the souls of black youth." 61 When he speaks he "seems to be able to talk to young blacks in a way that makes them listen even when he puts them down."62
In addition, youth are drawn to Farrakhan because like their predecessors, they too face economic hardships and Farrakhan's message of economic empowerment via economic separation is a welcome remedy to their financial problems.
Recent Revelations
In an unprecedented event, Minister Louis Farrakhn met with wallace Muhammad on February 25th, 2000. This meeting marked reconciliation between the two opposing groups. The meeting between the two also implied possible acceptance of the NOI under the umbrella of Mainstream Orthodox Islam. This possible acceptance comes after Farrakhan's proclamation of "ending the cycle of violence and hatred" in the world and "uplifting fallen humanity regardless of race, color or creed." Whether or not Farrakhan adheres to this new ideology still remains to be seen.
| Profile | History | Reform | Beliefs | Issues | Links | Bibliography |
V. Nation of Islam Links
The Nation of Islam Online
The official web site of the Nation of Islam. It contains information about the history, beliefs, and pratices as well as links to NOI events. All the information on this site is considered, by the Nation of Islam, to be official and accurate.
http://www.noi.org The Nation of Islam-A History
A very informative page that includes background on the NOI founding and a complete timeline detailing the most important events in the NOI history. The site also contains links to other NOI related topics.
http://www.stanford.edu/group/Thinker/v2/v2n3/NOIBackground.html Answering Islam: the Nation of Islam
A site which links to numerous pages including ones that give background information on Fard and Farrakhan.
http://www.answering-islam.org.uk/NoI Black Nationalism A History
This page gives an extended overview of the influence of Black Nationalism on the teachings of NOI beliefs. It also traces the development, influence, and impact of Islam in the African American community.
http://afgen.com/black_nationalism5.html Black Gods of the Inner City
This site takes an indepth look at the orign of the Nation of Islam but also examines the emergence of othe Black Muslim or Islamic influeced black groups such as the Five percenters.
http://metalab.unc.edu/nge/innercity.html A Brief look at the Roots and Development of the Nation of Islam
This page dive deeply into the historical roots of the start ot the NOI It includes factors, such as the status of blacks in the US, that lead to the popularity of the Nation of Islam
http://renaissance.com.pk/janrefl99.html Nation of Islam Front page
A page that linkes to sites that feature news, articles, and press releases about the Nation of Islam
http://www.adl.org/frames/front_islam.html Nations of Islam at War
This page is part of a site that is maintained by the Village Voice, a New York based liberal paper. It features an article about the power struggles that have gone withing the NOI.
http://www.villagevoice.com/features/9920/noel.shtml Islam, Nation of
This page gives a brief but informative sum of the NOI. It is good for getting a short sum of the history of the movement.
http://www.blackhistory.eb.com/micro/295/84.html Malcolm X
Scholarly research on Malcolm X, his life and activities. The site looks at his words, both written and spoken, and gives extensive chronology, bibliography of Malcolm X.
http://www.brothermalcolm.net/ The Million Man March
This page whhich is affiliated with the CNN network gives a multituded of links to various aspects of the march. There is a section that has sound bites, pictures, and other multi-media files/images from the march. It also features related sites and stores about the march.
http://www.cnn.com/US/9510/megamarch/march.html The Million Man March
This site links to a number of other important sites and pages that focus on the March. Linked sites include everything from the intinerary of the march to the goals of the march and even has a link to the inpirational Maya Angelou poem read at the march.
http://www.igc.apc.org/africanam/hot/index.html Anti-Nation of Islam LInks
Abusing the Word Islam
This anti-NOI site is maintained by Orthodox Muslims. It makes comparisons between the Nation of Islam and traditional Islam and argues that NOI is misusing the name of Allah.
http://alpha.fdu.edu/~siddiqui/abuse.htm Lewis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam
Cornerstone Magazine is a publication of an evangelical groups, Jesus People USA. Written in two parte, the examines the history of the Nation of Islam. The second part examines NOI from the perspectives of traditional Islam and Christianity.
http://www.cornerstonemag.com/features/iss111/islam1.htm http://www.cornerstonemag.com/features/iss112/islam2.htm The Unislamic Nation of Islam
This page gives an essay on the history of the Nation of Islam's alleged prejudice and hatred towards whites and argues that such a history is inherantly against Islamic belifs.
http://www.cheater.com/homework/Homework/Schoolsucks/Uploads/September24-1997/islam.txt The Truth About The Nation Of Islam
This page is part of a larger site that addresses the issues of non-mainstream religious groups and organizations. The page on Nation of Islam addresses alleged practices of hatred, comparing the NOI to the KKK.
http://www.cultbusters.com/nationofislam.html Anti-Semitism Inquisition and the Nation of Islam
This paper written by a professor at Oxford College of Emory University examines alleged Nation of Islam anti-Semitic beliefs. It is part of a larger site that dealing with anti-Semitism.
http://www.h-net.msu.edu/~antis/papers/occasional.papers.html | Profile | History | Reform | Beliefs | Issues | Links | Bibliography |
VI. Bibliography
Books
Alexander, Amy. ed,1998.
The Farrakhan Factor: African-American Writers on Leadership, Nationhood, and Minister Louis Farrakhn. New York: Grove Press
Brackerman, Harold.1994.
Ministry of Lies: The Truth Behind the Nation of Islam's 'The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews" New York: Four Walls Eight Windows.
Clegg, Claude Andrew. 1997.
An Original Man: The Life and Times of Elijah Muhammad New York: St. Martin's Press,1997.
DeCaro, Louis A.1998
Malcolm and the Cross New York: New York University Press.
Lincoln, C.Eric. 1994
The Black Muslims in America: third edition Michigan:William B. Edmunds Publishing Company.
Marsh, Clifton. 1996
From Black Muslims to Muslims: the Resurrection, Transformation, and Change of the Lost-Found Nation of Islam in America, 1930-1995 Maryland: Scarecrow Press, Inc.,
Mimiya, Lawrence H. and C. Eric Lincoln. 1998
"Black Militant and Separatist Movements." Encylopedia of the American Religious Experience Volume II,Charles H. Lippy and peter W. Williams, eds. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons,pp. 755-774.
Articles
Claiborne, William. 2000
"Rival Black Muslims Groups Reconcile"Washington Post(Feb. 26, 2000)
Dreier, Peter. 1995
"What Farrakhn Left Out: Labor Solidarity or Racial Seperatism?"Commonweal(Dec. 15)
Howard, John R. 1998
"The Making if a Black Muslim" Society (March 18).
Shore, Paul. 1995
"What is Behind the Nation of Islam's Anti-semetic Rhetoric?" USA Today Magazine (Jan.)
Turner, Richard Brent. 1997
"From Elijah Pool to Elijah Muhammad, Chief Minister of Islam." American Visions (Oct-Nov)
"Louis Farrakhn Leader of the Nation of Islam-the Million Man March Assembled at Farrakhn's Fiery Beckoning." Time (June 17, 1996)
VII. Notes
http://answering-islam.org.ul/NoI/noi1.html Lincoln pp.269
Marsh pp.1
Ibid pp. 7
Ibid pp. 17
Ibid pp. 27
Ibid pp. 29
http://www.answering-islam.org.uk/NoI/noi1/html Marsh pp.30-35
Marsh pp.37
Lincoln pp. 73
Marsh pp. 38
Lincoln and Mamiya pp. 765
Marsh pp. 49
Ibid pp. 39
Ibid pp. 69
Marsh pp. 70
Alexander, ed. pp. 53
Marsh pp. 98
Ibid pp. 108
Ibid pp. 98
Lincoln pp. 221
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/notislam/ Ibid
Ibid
Ibid
Marsh pp.47
Lincoln pp.76
Ibid pp. 77
http://metalab.unc.edu/nge/innercity.html Mimiya pp. 766
Alexander, ed. pp 60
Lincoln pp. 79
Lincoln pp.79-80
Lincoln pp. 83
Marsh pp. 43
Marsh pp. 51
Ibid pp. 57
http://answering-islam.org.uk/NoI/noi1.html Marsh pp. 58
Lincoln pp. 263
Lincoln pp. 268
Ibid
http://www.cnn.com/US/9510/megamarch/10-15/index.html http://www.cnn.com/US/9510/megamarch/10-15/index.html Lincoln pp. 163
Ibid
Lincoln pp. 160
Ibid
Ibid pp. 161
Ibid
Ibid
Brackerman pp. 25
http://www.h-net.msu.edu/~antis/occasional.papers.html Alexander, ed. pp 103
Ibid pp. 104
Ibid pp. 104
Ibid pp. 25
Ibid pp. 104
Ibid pp. 184
Ibid pp. 186
Ibid
Created by Jan Dodoo
Special thanks to Loryn Lawson who created an earlier version of this page
For Soc 452: Sociology of Religious Movements
Spring Term, 2000
University of Virginia
Last modified: 05/29/01
I agree. I see his followers on the streets here in the Norfolk, Virginia Beach areas. They sell their newspapers to people driving by. I can't buy one because I am white. I had a person get one for me and I was shocked. I still have it. On the back they have a demand list from the whites - their own country, all people of color freed from the prisons system, monetary assistance for decades to start their country, etc... Everything drives at pure divide and racism.
