Perspectives
The rise of the
Nation of Islam in London, Part II
Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part
series
about the Nation of Islam in London and Europe.
by Rosalind Muhammad
West Coast Bureau Chief
Almost
daily, the British government has shown some form of opposition to the
rise of the Nation of Islam on its shores.
The government's 11-year-old ban on the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, which prevents him from physically entering the United Kingdom, also prohibits all broadcasts of his image and likeness.
On
Oct. 9, 1994, the force of the ban outraged many Blacks when authorities
canceled a live satellite link-up to the Wembley Conference Centre in South
London, of the Nation of Islam's First International Saviours' Day Convention
in Accra, Ghana, West Africa.
Supporters charged that Wembley officials had bowed to the pressures of certain Jewish groups, primarily the Jewish Board of Deputies, which argued that showing a live broadcast of the leader of the Nation of Islam was the same as having him physically in the country.
"The government is so obstinate that even though it knows Min. Farrakhan is a mercy to mankind, it will invoke the Wrath of God rather than allow him to enter the country," said Min. Hilary Muhammad, 30, head of the South London Study Group in the Brixton area.
That study group's bi-monthly magazine, "Sign of the Times," launched five months ago to supplement The Final Call, has met with fierce opposition from "New Nation," a Rupert Murdoch-owned paper. "New' Nation" staffers work to dissuade advertisers from purchasing ads in the study group's fledgling magazine, Min. Hilary said.
(In America, the Nation of Islam is suing the Murdoch-owned New York Post in a $4.4billion libel lawsuit over disinformation the paper published three years ago, that falsely portrayed Min. Farrakhan as Malcolm X's murderer.)
In
West London, the rental fee and utility bills for the Believers' study
hall are higher than those of nearby tenements, said Muslim officials.
Opposition to the Nation of Islam in the U.K. is strong in the British media. Like its kith and kin across the Atlantic, the British press thrives on disinformation.
For instance, an excerpt taken from an article that appeared in the Jan.30, 1994 Washington Section of the Times of London, titled, "U.S. Blacks Find a New Messiah of Militancy," is a dreary reminder of the pathological extent to which the media will venture to discredit the Nation of Islam.
"Violence is not only part of the Farrakhan creed," the article lied, "but is ever present in his public appearances. He is always surrounded by a guard of sun glass -wearing, gun-toting toughs who deal ruthlessly with any threat to their master."
Despite the barrage of propaganda, Believers in the U K remain steadfast. They continue to make progress by establishing schools, businesses and pushing the program of the Nation of Islam,
"What they (the government) didn't appreciate was that the Minister's mission is so awesome, and Allah's backing for him is so incredibly strong, that regardless of the fact that they've kept him out and he's not here physically, he is here in us," said Bro. Bertram Muhammad, 36, North London Study Group coordinator. "The Caucasian is scratching himself silly because he doesn't know what to do."
"Overall,
Black people here are more willing to accept our condition simply because
of the propaganda machine and the psychology that is used to make us feel
and act inferior," said Min. Wayne Muhammad, 37, Muhammad Mosque No.
1 in the East London Borough of Hackney. "But these teachings change
that servitude-like thinking."
"We believe it is our duty to have the world recognize this reality, otherwise the blood of those in England, especially, we feel, will be on our hands if we don't at least give them an opportunity to get to know Min. Farrakhan," said Min. Michael Muhammad, coordinator of the West London Study Group located in Shepherd's Bush.
And while his presence is sorely missed, not having Min. Farrakhan physically in their country has served as an impetus for the U.K. Be1ievers to strive harder, work harder and study harder in preparation for the day when he does arrive, be it the Will of Allah (God), they said.
"It's been a great blessing only because Min. Farrakhan shows the power of what he represents by not coming, because the spirit of Allah (God) is not confined in flesh," said Min. Hilary.
"We believe he (Min. Farrakhan) fulfills scripture," said Capt. Leo Muhammad of the West London Study Group. "We don't believe, in truth, that we even have a choice in this. It's do or die as far as we're concerned. We don't see it being diminished. We haven't yet begun."
Added Min. Michael: "His (Min. Farrakhan's) heart is in us. His
mind is in us. We couldn't have done what we have done without some degree
of obedience to him and what he is teaching."
[Photos: 1-Min. Farrakhan accepts gifts from Min. Michael
and some of the believers from London, England during Saviours' Day 1995
in Chicago; 2-Linda Bellos, secretary of Africa Reparations Movement (left)
Min. Wayne (center) and Bernie Grant Member of Parliament (right) share
a moment during an event at a London Nation of Islam meeting place; 3-The
M.G.T. from London, England drill during Saviours Day 1997, where they
received an award for excellence in drilling; 4-Min. Farrakhan congradulates
London's award winning M.G.T. drill team at 1997 Saviours' Day meeting.]
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