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Hundreds
gathered at Chicago’s Mosque Maryam to hear Nation of Islam
leader Minister Louis Farrakhan’s praise President-elect Barack
Obama. After nine months of silence, the revered minister and community
icon delivered a speech titled “America’s New Beginning:
President-elect Barack Obama.”
“Congratulations are absolutely in order for President-elect
Barack Obama,” said Farrakhan who was greeted with thunderous
applause from members of the NOI, as well as community members and
media outlets in attendance. “What happened last Tuesday has
energized the entire world of man, and mankind, in a way that
[hasn’t been] seen before. The huge crowds that President-elect
Barack gathered whenever he [spoke] had never been seen before in any
political arena.”
Of course as a man known for speaking out for the community, Minister
Farrakhan stressed the importance of Obama’s win for people of
color. “With what we have suffered as a people it was a way
– if not for all black people – a confirmation that God has
not forsaken us.”
While political pundits and media outlets scrutinize Farrakhan’s
thoughts about the first black president, he spoke eloquently, but also
remained firm in his belief that Obama’s success is contingent on
the support of his community.
“Now if that brother and the movement he leads can produce a
change in this society that will make men more free, more justified,
more equal, why would anybody want to fight him?” he asked,
challenging his international audience. “Suffice it to say, this
man really needs our protection and divine protection. He needs every
one of us, especially the 65 million people that voted for him, to ask
the question, ‘What can I do to make him a successful President
of the United States of America?’”
Drawing his address to a close, Minister Farrakhan shared his mission
for the “resurrection of black people” and spoke of
Obama’s long-term impact on the black community.
“President-elect Barack Obama’s rise – more than
anything – has given our people in particular, hope. [He’s
given us] hope that we can change, hope that we can be better than we
are and his rise has proved that in a very spectacular way. What this
man has done is put it in the hearts and heads of all our children
[that] we don’t just have to be great athletes; we don’t
just have to be great musicians, comedians and entertainers for others;
we can be world rulers.” –gavin philip godfrey
Listen to Farrakhan’s address here.
