by Dora Muhammad
Staff Writer

CHICAGO�The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan advised President Bush to move carefully and seek spiritual guidance as the U.S. government prepares to prosecute a war in response to the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

"I, on behalf of all members of the Nation of Islam and on behalf of many millions of Muslims here in America and throughout the world, lift our voices to condemn this vicious and atrocious attack on the United States," said Minister Farrakhan during a press conference held at Mosque Maryam on September 16 that was transmitted via satellite throughout the nation and world and broadcast on six Internet sites. "We mourn the loss of the many who have perished in the national and international tragedy.

"Mr. President, I plead with you that this war that you intend could trigger that war that all the scientists of religion and of war have desired to escape, the war that would end all wars, the War of Armageddon. I would appeal to the scriptural scientists among us, those of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, to be utilized by President Bush to help him understand this hour from what the prophets saw and predicted," he said.

Denouncing the attacks as conduct that is absolutely un-Muslim-like, Min. Farrakhan also cautioned the public against retaliation on Muslim citizens for the evil actions of those who only profess the religion of Islam. While standing in agreement with the leaders of this country in their hunt for the perpetrators, Min. Farrakhan implored them to take the same courage to examine the effects of U.S. foreign policy in producing such heinous crimes against humanity.

"A better foreign policy in America would defeat terrorism forever in the world," he said.

Min. Farrakhan addressed the public moved by sadness and anguish over the horrific suicide missions which resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, total destruction of the World Trade Center and tremendous damage to the Pentagon. It was an act of war, he declared, to target America�s symbols of financial strength, military might, architectural genius and aviation brilliance. The greatest need in this dark hour, he said, is the "perfect and unequaled guidance of God" which has the power to properly direct the anger that has been justifiably incited within the American people.

The Minister stressed that the triumph of the human spirit that has emerged from this tragedy can begin the process of rebuilding spiritual values in this country. The tragedy united the country behind its President, united Democrats with Republicans, united diverse segments of society and caused the nation to bow down in prayer and reflect on God, the Minister acknowledged.

"Allah (God) used this tragedy, hopefully, to bring a great nation to Him," he added, saying that only in humility can the guidance of God be heeded. Only divine guidance from scriptural scientists of all faiths, the Minister stated, can prevent the U.S. government from violating international law in their stated mission to rip up the nest of terrorists.

With representatives of Chicago Police and Fire departments seated before him, and a host of community and religious leaders in the audience, Min. Farrakhan commended the courage, valor and sense of duty of the firemen and policemen who risked their lives to save others, calling them heroes.

He expressed gratitude to New York and D.C. city officials and medical staff who worked to ease the suffering in the aftermath of the catastrophes, as well as the common citizens who donated blood. He also thanked the media for their continual coverage that informed the people as events unfolded.

Before ending the press conference with an ecumenical prayer, Min. Farrakhan said, "I hope that President Bush and all those with him will turn this tragedy into triumph of right over wrong, of good over evil, of justice over injustice, and let not the blood of those who died be shed in vain." (See full text of press conference on page 17.)

Following the message, mosques and other venues where the signal was pulled down were abuzz with activity and hope.

"I�m very excited and it was a very meaningful message from the Minister today," said Jacqueline Jackson, wife of Rev. Jesse Jackson, who sat privately with Min. Farrakhan and wife Mother Khadijah following the press conference. "I hope his words will be healing and we will bring this tragedy to a peaceful and reconciling solution."

Former Chicago School Board President Florence Cox told The Final Call that Min. Farrakhan spoke the feelings of many Americans.

"His admonition for the leadership of this country to seek spiritual advice should be really taken to heart. When you look at some of the predictions that have been made by great minds, you will find that what we need is divine guidance. We need spiritual wisdom with the hope that all of this will lead us to peace and international healing to prevent this from happening again," she said.

Rev. Janette Wilson, an attorney and associate pastor at Cosmopolitan First Baptist Congregation, agreed that the answers lie in God.

"The answer is not in people," she said, "it is in our faith and our faith traditions. Our God can interpret things. It appears to be foreshadowing of the end of times. It is not yet the end, but it is a shadow of things to come. I think God is speaking to us in a very critical and definitive manner. When the Minister says we should pray, that�s what we must do at this moment. Not respond in anger, but respond in faith."

Representatives of the Chicago Police and Fire departments absorbed the words of Min. Farrakhan and expressed appreciation for his outreach. "It was a terrible thing that happened in New York and it was nice for Minister Farrakhan to invite us here to show his regret also about what happened," Deputy Fire Commissioner Derrick Jackson told The Final Call.

Commander Bill Power of the Chicago Police Dept. added, "This is a show of unity. People have to understand that we�re all together in this. This is an attack against America and we�re all united as one community against that type of terrorism."

In Los Angeles where the overflow crowd spilled onto the street, the sense of fulfilled expectation filled the air.

"He addressed some very important issues that are not being addressed, such as the certainty of evidence in seeking justice," commented former Congressman Mervyn Dymally, a Democrat who represented parts of Los Angeles. "It was a direct message calling upon the country to be even handed, not to strike because of suspicion and without evidence. But these truths are not very popular in the media. The media wants war and that�s the only cry that they want to cover," he said.

Kay Benjamin, a Los Angeles actress, said the tragedy was a very painful thing "because it was man�s inhumanity to man. I�m so grateful for the Honorable Minister Farrakhan�s speech because we got the voice of reason."

In Washington, where more than 1,000 people filled Lincoln Auditorium for a satellite feed of the message, Pastor Lorman Lykes of Washington Church told The Final Call that, the Minister "has a very unique and accurate perspective of the events as they unfolded and his perspective on the political and foreign policy of America is accurate. I believe that all Americans should hear his comments."

Marilyn Preston Killingham, 68, past-chair of the Republic of New Africa, said she welcomed the statements but felt one aspect was missed.

"As one who prayed for and participated in a preparatory conference in Geneva, Switzerland, in preparation for the World Conference on Racism, I strongly felt that [the racism conference] might be the world�s last chance for peace," she said, adding she hoped that the recently concluded conference held in Durban, South Africa, would have been mentioned during the press conference.

In Harlem, N.Y., a short distance from "ground zero" of the attack on the World Trade Center, more than 1,000 people came to Muhammad Mosque No. 7 to listen to the press conference. Walls inside the mosque burst to capacity and offices were used as make-shift auditoriums, while hundreds more filled the streets to listen via speakers set up to accommodate the overflow crowd. Foremost on the minds of people was trying to understand what exactly happened and what should be the appropriate response, not just for themselves but for the country. They were not disappointed.

"Personally, it was what I needed," said Leonard G. Dunston, president emeritus and national political advisor for the National Association of Black Social Workers. "Minister Farrakhan did several things for me today. One was to help me get through this feeling of great grief for those who have lost their lives and, two, he also challenged me to understand some of the historical and political dynamics that would lead individuals to commit this kind of act," said the 61-year-old who once had offices in the World Trade Center.