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(FinalCall.com) – The 11th Anniversary of the Million Man March and Holy Day of Atonement celebrated on October 15 drew thousands of supporters of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam to flock to venues across the country to view a satellite and webcast address delivered by the National Assistant to Min. Farrakhan, Minister Ishmael Muhammad.

In Chicago, hundreds came out to Christ Universal Temple, headed by Rev. Johnnie Coleman, to hear Min. Ishmael and other speakers teach on the need for atonement and reconciliation, and to offer prayers for the speedy recovery of the International Peacemaker, Min. Farrakhan.

Chicago resident Irma Romero, who attended the function with other Latinos from her community, said the reason why she came is because Min. Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam have always been supportive of her people’s causes, the most recent being the deportation issue involving Elvira Arellano, a mother seeking sanctuary in a local church in order for her not to be separated from her U.S.-born son. “We came here because we’ve seen the support of the Nation of Islam in regard to our struggle for immigration. We don’t want people to be deported and Minister Farrakhan has been in our church and he has supported us and we love him very much and I wish he won’t have any pain when he is sick.”

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Speaking to the wonderful job she feels Min. Ishmael did in delivering his address, Ms. Romero said, “When I think about Min. Ishmael, I love him very much because he speaks Spanish so very well, and I have talked to him before. I think he is going to do a wonderful job, and I have the faith. He is like someone that is going to connect us–Hispanic people and Black people. I have a lot of faith in him and everybody who spoke, they were very good; I was very delighted by what he said.”

In Memphis, Tenn., over 600 people gathered at Hamilton High School to hear the live broadcast. After hearing from the keynote speaker and others, what struck a chord most with Kenny Lee, 30, was the consensus that the Millions More Movement was continuing to move forward, while many from various faith communities continue to pray for the health of Min. Farrakhan.

“Min. Farrakhan’s son, Mustapha, spoke about the Movement moving without Min. Farrakhan; that really stuck with me. He seemed very passionate about us showing Min. Farrakhan we could continue doing it even though he is sick. That really meant a lot to me and it encouraged me as a person that we can keep it going without one leader; we’ve learned under him and we can continue to do it.

For Nation of Islam pioneer, Sister Rasheedah Madyun Muhammad, hearing the son of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad deliver the keynote address was like hearing Min. Farrakhan. “Because the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has done such a well job representing the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad to us and making sure that we stayed on the right course, listening to his son today, Brother Ishmael, is like listening to the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Min. Farrakhan, and we are in good hands today.”

Twelve-year-old Curteous said that the portion of the lecture that he heard makes him want to go out and pass out flyers for any MMM events and to have his friends come join the Nation of Islam.

In Detroit, Mich., over 800 people helped commemorate at Fellowship Chapel, headed by Rev. Wendell Anthony.

The general mood of the audience was one of genuine concern for the Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan, and encouragement came when speaker after speaker vowed that the work started with the Millions More Movement would indeed be foremost. Perhaps the most compelling were the words of the Supreme Captain, Mustapha Farrakhan, who on several occasions brought the audience to its feet during his fiery, yet reassuring speech.

Married 36 years, Umar and Tauheedah Abdullah (alumni of all three Marches) gave their assessment of the keynote address by stating that Min. Ishmael “was very strong and straight to the point.”

Christina Ware expressed her confidence saying, “Min. Ishmael did beautiful and I hope he [Min. Farrakhan] is proud of him.”

Perhaps the most passionate analysis came from 76-year-old Elder Amen-Ra Heru of the Detroit Council of Elders. The life-long Detroiter passionately said that, “Min. Ishmael gave an excellent summary of our history.” He went on to further say, “This was an extremely important meeting and message he gave.”

“Today, we’re going to build up the Kingdom right here,” said Ms. Romero from Chicago, Ill.

(Reports from Andrea Muhammad in Detroit, Mich.; Donna Muhammad in Memphis, Tenn.; and Nubian Muhammad in Chicago, Ill. contributed to this article.)

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