Charlotte prepares for Million Man March 17th anniversary

By Andrea Muhammad | Last updated: Sep 19, 2012 - 1:28:46 PM

The Nation of Islam’s Executive Council holds informational meeting with community activsts and leaders in Charlotte regarding the upcoming Holy Day of Atonement. Photo: Andrea Muhammad

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Nation of Islam’s Executive Council visited here to work logistics for the 2012 Holy Day of Atonement, which commemorates the 17th anniversary of the historic Million Man March. The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan announced to over 57,000 followers on Twitter that Charlotte would be the host city for the 2012 Holy Day of Atonement in a June tweet.

After arriving at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the N.O.I. delegation was given a police escort through the airport by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The council toured the Bojangles Coliseum, where 10,000 will hear Min. Farrakhan’s keynote address “Muhammad’s Economic Blueprint: Ending Poverty and Want.”

Additionally, the council surveyed potential sites for the “N.O.I. Family Day in the Park Celebration.” The council also took time to attend Masjid Ash-Shaheed for Friday congregational prayer.

On Aug. 18, Believers and officials from across the Mid-Atlantic convened at Little Rock AME Zion Church to mobilize and get marching orders for their respective cities. The Fruit of Islam were dispatched across the city to spread the word of Minister Farrakhan’s return while the M.G.T. organized a phone bank at Mosque No. 36. Later that day an informational meeting was held with community activists and local organizations at Greater Providence Baptist Church.

In an interview with TV station WSOC, Ishmael Muhammad, Min. Farrakhan’s national assistant, said, “The focus of his message will be economic development (and) we encourage all to come because there is something that Minister Farrakhan will say that will touch everyone’s heart.”

The Believers of Mosque No. 36 also graciously assisted Final Call newspaper staff in town for the Democratic National Convention Sept. 4-6. The Muslims hosted Senior Correspondent Askia Muhammad, Editor Richard B. Muhammad and Assistant Editor Ashahed Muhammad at a dinner and brief discussion. “The Muslims are working very hard and are very inviting. They are truly wonderful hosts,” said the Final Call editor.

The Holy Day of Atonement will take place Oct. 12-14, about a month after the Democratic National Convention and weeks before the 2012 presidential election.

For information regarding tickets and hotels, visit http://noi.org/HDOA2012.

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