WASHINGTON�The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan was saluted Sunday, Sept. 22, by the pastor and congregation of Union Temple Baptist Church here, marking the culmination of a week long celebration of Black men at Union Temple.

In anticipation, community members began lining up at 4 p.m. for the six o�clock event. By the time Min. Farrakhan arrived, the church was packed to the rafters with many having to be turned away.

During the event, titled "Men of God: Releasing The Power Within�Mind Body & Soul," numerous dignitaries spoke words of love for the Muslim leader.

The venerable Dr. Dorothy Height, president emeritus of the National Council of Negro Women, told the crowd that she was so pleased to have been asked to be part of the program that she forgot she had committed to another engagement that evening.

"We hear a lot of negativity about Black men and boys," she said. "I wish they could peek into this room. Aren�t we blessed we still have Minister Louis Farrakhan? God knows what we need." Strong Black men "keep on coming, keep on coming, people of good will can get it done," she said.

"When people are oppressed, the Creator sends forth people of wisdom and courage, self respect and dignity to speak truth to power," said psychiatrist Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, noting that "The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, when he called for a Million Man March, two million men came."

She encouraged every Black person to get a large picture of "that monumental event" and hang it in their homes, "because, in the coming days we are going to need all of the dignity, courage and Black self-respect to deal with what is coming down the pipe," she warned.

Nation of Islam Minister of Health Dr. Abdul Alim Muhammad noted the words of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad in reference to Min. Farrakhan. "When you see him, look at him. When he speaks, listen. What he does, you do. What he forbids, don�t do it because he will get you safely across the river on his shoulders. And when he does he will say, not look at what he has done, but look at what God has done," Dr. Alim said.

Former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry introduced Min. Farrakhan as a man of "indescribable courage, unconditional love for our people and great integrity." He explained that he served more than 40 years as a public servant and had met presidents of the United States, sat with people such as Nelson Mandela, but "my greatest honor is to introduce Minister Louis Farrakhan," he said.

As Min. Farrakhan took the rostrum for his keynote address, he was greeted by a roar of approval from the standing room only crowd.

"Jesus said let him that would be brave among you be your servant," the Minister opened. "To be a servant you must see who you serve as greater than yourself. The way to serve is to study the word of God," Min. Farrakhan said. "Know the truth and the truth will make you free�mind, body and soul."

In laying the foundation for his speech Minister Farrakhan commented on the dilemma currently being faced by the United States.

"In this dark hour, this great nation is spiritually blind and morally bankrupt and is in need of divine guidance more so than ever before," he said, noting the total print media blackout of his Sept. 16 national and international press conference held at Mosque Maryam.

"Someone very high thought my words were not in the interest of the national security.When truth is not accessible, when the sheep are herded in a certain way, they don�t want the masses to see the truth and change course.

"I�m not blind to prophecy," Min. Farrakhan continued. "God has shown me the innermost thinking of those who would invoke war. Those who speak truth will be marginalized."

Min. Farrakhan emphasized that the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were heinous and that it was not an unreasonable request by the Taliban for the United States to present evidence to the United Nations in regards to those responsible.

"I hope you will have the courage to look at your foreign policy," Min. Farrakhan said. "People do not fly airplanes into buildings for nothing. What has driven people mad?" he asked.

Returning to the subject matter of the celebration, Min. Farrakhan pointed out that, "The power within can�t be manifested if environment is wrong. You can�t release the power within without God�s knowledge. Knowledge of God and knowledge of self are inseparable. Without trust or faith you cannot release the power within. Give yourself totally to God, that is the beginning."

Minister Farrakhan then paid tribute to women, saying, "None of us could be what we are without a woman. Women release more of their power as they bear the burden of our weakness and our enemy�s oppression. How much of nothing I am without God, my wife and mother."

"Divest yourself of self," Min. Farrakhan implored. "If you want to release the power within, then pray. Prayer cultivates. God will exalt the one who humbles himself. Let this mind be in you, the same that was in Christ Jesus. Permit his mind to enter yours."