LONDON—The British government’s cold disposition toward the Nation of Islam—particularly a ban on the Honorable Louis Farrakhan—is an ill wind that will do no one any good. Instead, the government should allow the Nation of Islam to work unhindered in its work of reforming the lives of Black and oppressed peoples to improve their quality of life, Minister Ishmael Muhammad said during a recent visit here.

Speaking exclusively to The Final Call July 26, Min. Ishmael, assistant minister at Mosque Maryam in Chicago, the Nation of Islam’s headquarters mosque, said the Nation of Islam has demonstrated without limit its capacity to redeem Black lives.

"We don’t make Black people better slaves, we make them better citizens. We turn them into law-abiding citizens, who respect the laws of this country (England), as long as these laws do not conflict with our religion," he said.

"So we’re saying to England and its government—the parliament, the Queen and all those who are in power—let us do our job so that you can be proud of your Black citizens," he said.

Earlier, on July 25, Min. Ishmael delivered a keynote speech at a special rally in south London, where he said Blacks must first seek the knowledge of self and the knowledge of God in order to make progress.

He said the Nation of Islam has shown, through its work in America and in other parts of the world, that it’s a vessel for achieving such knowledge and called on the Black community to be a part of the movement’s crusade for redemption. "We want you in England to share the joy and happiness that we are experiencing in America," he implored.

"The same teaching that’s waking us up (in America) is the knowledge of God. If they are allowed to be taught in the United Kingdom, the Black man and woman will regain their rightful place on earth," he added.

Min. Ishmael, a son of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, whose 40-year-effort established the Nation of Islam in America, admonished Britain’s Black men to be responsible husbands and fathers by providing leadership. A father must also see himself as a protector of his children, he said, adding, "the role of a father is to challenge the evil forces that might threaten his children," he said.

He also harped on the indispensable role of the Black woman, not only in bringing into the world a new life, but also in building a nation. He called on the Black man to protect, love, honor and respect his woman, and to see her as an equal partner in the family wheel of progress.

The days when women’s issues are consigned to the back-burner are long over, he said. The Holy Qur’an, the Muslim’s book of scripture, does not exalt male over female and neither does it exalt female over male, he said.

Min. Ishmael, who was in England on behalf of Min. Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam’s National Board, paid tribute to the work of the Muslims in the UK. In the absence of direct guidance and instructions from national headquarters, the Muslims in Britain "have demonstrated love, commitment and willingness to carry into practice the principles of faith," he said.

"Now they just have to strive harder—like we are striving in America—to be the perfect example of the faith. We must reflect and represent the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan," he said.