CHICAGO—The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, National Representative of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, issued the following statement June 21 on the passing of former President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, a hero in the struggle for African liberation and self-determination, and a respected elder statesmen devoted to peace and progress for the Motherland. His death was announced on June 17.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. As Salaam Alaikum. (Peace Be Unto You.)
On behalf of myself and my family, the leadership and members of the Nation of Islam, we send to the people of Zambia, and all of Africa our deep sympathy and condolences over the passing of our great brother, peacemaker and champion in the liberation struggle Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, the last of the Great Ones of the leaders of Africa, who passed away at 97 years of age.
It is written in the Holy Qur’an that Allah (God) created the heavens and the earth and all in between and He put it in the service of the human being who is considered the Glory of Allah (God).
Vanity often rules with those in authority because they do things for their personal life or gain, and do things considering what they want to be said about them and their legacy. Allah (God) says He will never waste the work of a worker, male or female.
Brother President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda was one of these rare individuals who lived their lives in service to others, hoping to see the world better on his leaving it. Better than it was on his coming to birth.
I was honored in my life to meet Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. We were on a peace mission together to solve the problem between North and South Sudan, and he was our guide and chaperone. He did not travel with us but offered advice and counsel for the peace mission.
As Brother Abdul Akbar Muhammad and I traveled from Ghana under the stewardship of the late President Jerry John Rawlings, we went to Kenya. And it was in Kenya that we met President Daniel Arap Moi. The president of Kenya received us, and President Kaunda gave us words of guidance. We flew from Kenya to Uganda to meet President Museveni where we were to meet with the leader of South Sudan, John Garang.
We talked to Mr. Garang and his wife and some of his colleagues for approximately three hours and we flew back to the Sudan to meet with President Omar Bashir.
Needless to say, our efforts were interfered with from what we learned by efforts from our government that we should not be involved in trying to get peace between North and South Sudan. Although our efforts were thwarted, we were blessed to see Southern Sudan become its own nation, though there are many problems.
But Kenneth Kaunda will always be remembered as a voice of reason in the midst of chaos and confusion.
I know that I speak for Brother Abdul Akbar Muhammad because we enjoyed a deep personal friendship with President Kaunda and we pray that Allah (God) will grant him access to Paradise for the good work that he has done. And may those whom his life has touched live to be peacemakers as he was to improve the quality of life, not only of our brothers and sisters in Africa, but wherever we are on this planet.
May Allah’s (God’s) peace and blessings be with him.
