Farrakhan, << FAHR uh kahn, >> Louis (1933-…), became the leader of the Nation of Islam in 1977. This religious organization, which is historically related to the Black Muslims, favors racial separation, Black nationalism, and economic independence for African Americans.
A powerful speaker, Farrakhan is admired by many Black people both inside and outside the Nation of Islam. He is also controversial. Many people have accused him of prejudiced statements against Jews and other white people. But he has argued that news reports have misrepresented his remarks.
Farrakhan was born Louis Eugene Walcott on May 11, 1933, in New York City. He grew up in Boston. In 1955, Black Muslim minister Malcolm X recruited him to join the Nation of Islam. Walcott changed his name to Louis X. He adopted the name Louis Haleem Abdul Farrakhan in 1965.
In 1975, the leader of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad, died. The Black Muslims chose one of his sons, Warith (formerly Wallace) Deen Mohammed (sometimes spelled Muhammad) to succeed him as leader. Farrakhan disagreed with Mohammed’s teachings, which involved the abandonment of radical Black nationalism and the adoption of orthodox Sunni Islam. In 1977, Farrakhan broke away from Mohammed’s group and formed his own Nation of Islam. Today, only Farrakhan’s group uses the name Nation of Islam.
In 1995, Farrakhan became the chief organizer—and a leader—of a large rally of African American men in Washington, D.C. Known as the Million Man March, the event was designed to encourage Black men to take personal responsibility for improving conditions in Black communities. Crowd estimates ranged from 400,000 to more than a million. Farrakhan has led a number of other events, including the Million Family March in 2000 and the Millions More Movement in 2005.
In 1997, Farrakhan began to move closer to orthodox Sunni Islam. He adopted the orthodox Friday worship service, prayer posture, and fasting. These measures helped end 25 years of separation and hostility between Farrakhan and Mohammed. The two men declared their unity at the second International Islamic Conference in Chicago in February 2000. But they continued to lead separate movements. Mohammed died in 2008.
See also Black Muslims; Malcolm X; Million Man March; Mohammed, Warith Deen; Muhammad, Elijah; Nation of Islam.
