Fahim A. Knight
6/04/08
Keeping-It-Real
http://fahimknightsworld.blogspot.com/2008/06/nation-of-islam-concise-history-true.html
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 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 SouthMississippi,
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
historyhe 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 downtroddensocial, 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 MuhammadWali 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 thoughtthe
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 character from President Woodrow Wilson, recognizing the
Moorish Science Temple of America as s 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 blacksfive 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
.
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