Louis Farrakhan Marks Anniversary of Million Man March in Jamaica

A public conference commemorating the 19^th anniversary of the Million Man March in Washington, D.C, will highlight Nation of Islam Leader, Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan’s week-long visit to Jamaica, from October 15 to 22.

The conference is slated for the National Arena on Sunday, October 19, and is expected to entail a wide-ranging address by Minister Farrakhan, who arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston from the United States, on Wednesday, October 16. He was accompanied by a delegation, inclusive of members of his family and the Nation of Islam.

The delegation was met by Government officials, led by Minister with Responsibility for Sport, Hon, Natalie Neita Headley, who represented Prime Minister, the Most Portia Simpson Miller; and Chief of State Protocol, Ambassador Elinor Felix.

In a statement delivered during a brief welcome ceremony at the airport’s VIP lounge, Mr. Farrakhan expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Jamaica, “for the warm and gracious reception (extended to) myself and (my) family, and members of the Nation of Islam.”

He indicated that key issues related to the welfare of Jamaica and other Caribbean islands, including regional unity, and matters affecting the youth, are among the areas that he will address during Sunday’s public conference.

“Our visit in celebration of the Million Man March is…to get us to see (among other things) that no one can fight a battle when you are at odds with one another,” he said.

Mrs. Neita Headley, in welcoming Minister Farrakhan, said he has been an inspiration to many people, “not just in America, but across the world, and for us also, here, in Jamaica. So we are very happy to have you…(and) look forward to hearing from you…on Sunday.”

Other slated engagements on Mr. Farrakhan’s itinerary include: floral tributes to be laid at National Heroes Park, and Up Park Camp in Kingston; and courtesy calls on Prime Minister Simpson Miller, and Opposition Leader, Andrew Holness.

Nation of Islam First Lady, Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, will also attend a staging of the cultural series, ‘Keesing Live’, which is organized by promotions entity, Alternative Music Limited (AML).

The visiting delegation will depart for the United States on Wednesday, October 22.

The Nation of Islam was founded by Wallace D. Fard Muhammad in Detroit on July 4, 1930, with the stated goal of improving the spiritual, mental, social, and economic welfare of African-Americans across the United States.

While most of the religious order’s members are based in the United States, there are minority memberships in other countries, including: Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom.

Mr. Farrakhan, who has been Spiritual Leader of the Nation of Islam for over 30 years, was instrumental in organizing the Million Man March, which was staged in the American capital on October 16, 1995.

The march, the single largest gathering of African-Americans in the United States’ history, was staged to turn the spotlight on issues affecting African-Americans, particularly males, and to initiate action to effectively address these.