ATLANTA—The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan made a call 31 years ago to Black men, and Black men responded—nearly two million of them.
Three decades later, the historic Million Man March and Holy Day of Atonement still resonates with Black people around the world. This year’s commemoration of that special, miraculous day was held in the city affectionately known as “Black Mecca”—Atlanta, Georgia.
Muslims from around the country convened in the city from October 9-11 for a weekend of reflection, bonding with family and community and continuing the principles of the Million Man March theme of “Atonement, Reconciliation and Responsibility.”
The state of Georgia is also significant for another reason, it is the birthplace of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Eternal Leader of the Nation of Islam.
His son, Student Minister Ishmael R. Muhammad, National Assistant to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, delivered the keynote message from Minister Farrakhan on Sunday, October 11 in front of thousands at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Student Minister Ishmael expressed gratitude to the city of Atlanta for welcoming the Nation of Islam and expressed humility at being tasked with delivering the keynote message.
“Trust me when I say that I am not worthy to speak on behalf of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, but it gives me great pleasure to serve this great man, serve in the cause and serve our people.
And I pray that Allah will guide me to deliver the word with his spirit from his mind, from his heart, to all of us today because we are meeting at a very critical time in world history.
And we’re living in the time of the transition of one world, one civilization, one order of things to a brand new world,” said Student Min. Ishmael Muhammad.
He called Atlanta a great city that takes pride in its legacy of Black excellence and referred to its other moniker, “Black Mecca” due to its foundation in areas of Black entrepreneurship, civil rights and political power. “It is a historic center of Black culture, religion, business and entertainment.”
He went on to name some of the great luminaries that hailed from Atlanta or other parts of Georgia including, his father, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rep. John Lewis, Ray Charles and Jackie Robinson to name just a few.
“So it is fitting, it is proper and right for us to hold this special Holy Day of Service in this great city. And from this city to the Nation and the world that is on the brink of a pit of fire. We honor all those who came from this city and state.”
The keynote message was streamed live via internet and to view it its entirety, visit media.noi.org and to order this message, visit store.finalcall.com. See pages 4 and 5 for more coverage and stay tuned for additional coverage from the 31st Anniversary of the Million Man March and Holy Day of Atonement in an upcoming issue of The Final Call.
