Lifting the UK ban on Farrakhan is big news throughout Africa

In Africa now, for two straight days and nights, the newspapers, television and radio spread the news that a high court judge in London has made a ruling that the 15-year ban on Minister Louis Farrakhan from entering the United Kingdom be lifted. Most of the people in Ghana knew nothing about the ban on Minister Louis Farrakhan. Therefore, many wanted to know why would they place a ban on him? The British Broadcasting Company (BBC), radio and television broadcast the news of the judge�s July 31 ruling all across Africa.

When Mr. Hurd, the British Home Secretary, imposed this ban, the influence of the colonial master was felt and seen across Africa and the Caribbean.

In 1986, Minister Louis Farrakhan started his world tour, which started from the Caribbean and the next leg was to be in Africa. While traveling through London, on our way to Nigeria, Min. Farrakhan was detained for several hours. As a result of this detention, the British government who feared this man coming through their country, placed a ban on him from traveling to Britain.

The biblical picture that fits this circumstance of Min. Farrakhan�s travel and interaction with the oppressed people around the world is the story of a lion in Judah. There is a lion in Judah! Who will awaken him? Those that fear the coming of the lion and his rise from a long, deep sleep did not want that lion to roar and awaken the other sleeping lions.

After this detention we learned what led to this treatment, which was a vicious disinformation campaign coming from the United States of America. After leaving London, Min. Farrakhan was blocked from speaking in Nigeria by armed soldiers. The government of Senegal was set to deport him and his delegation upon their arrival and Ghana was advised not to allow him to enter the country.

However, Ghana�s former president, Jerry John Rawlings, let the Minister and his delegation enter Ghana. He allowed him to speak and listened to him. During the final days in Ghana of his 13-day tour, the Chairman of the then PNDC did what was an unprecedented move for an African leader. He allowed Min. Farrakhan to address his top military brass. President Rawlings personally introduced the Minister with these words, "I was advised by my security people that I should not allow this man Farrakhan into the country, much less give him a platform to speak. However, when they (security people) say �A,� I do �Z.� " President Rawlings went on to say, "I only find him to be a noble son of Africa."

The African nations and people who welcomed the Minister and experienced his warmth and witnessed his oratorical skill during his tour of Africa all wondered why he would be banned from entering London. Even some years later after they witnessed what happened at the Million Man March, the question is asked again. What crime did he commit and why would they fear him? Why would this noble son of Africa be blocked from being heard by over 3 million sons and daughters of Africa who now live in the United Kingdom? Perhaps his voice will awaken the sleeping lions of Judah.