'Ask Farrakhan': Social media meet-up with Nation of Islam leader fails to break new ground

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Controversial Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan held a livestreamed question and answer session online this Wednesday. What was advertised as a town hall meeting (#AskFarrakhan) turned out to be a series of what appeared to be pre-approved questions which largely fell in line with the opinions of Farrakhan and his organization.

Farrakhan has been the national leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI) since 1981. It was created in 1934 by the late Elijah Muhammad, and Malcolm X played a large role in the organization prior to his assassination in 1965. Though the NOI considers Allah to be their god and adhere to the Five Pillars of Islamic faith, many Muslims denounce the teachings of the NOI and consider them to be false. One of other differences is the NOI teaches the white race to be inherently evil and unworthy of regeneration, while traditional Islam welcomes people of all races.

In 1997, during an interview on NBC’s  Meet the Press Farrakhan spoke on the NOI’s separatist views: “If we cannot get along in peace after giving America 400 years of our service and sweat and labor, then, of course, separation would be the solution to our race problem”

During #AskFarrakhan, the Nation of Islam leader said the racial separation doctrine “is more than a theory it is a prophecy.” The minster sat casually in a tan suit listening to questions presented and did not falter once with his answers.

Farrakhan also spoke about America being the enemy of “freedom fighters” like Muammar Gadhafi, Fidel Castro and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He described America as being “on the wrong side of history” because those men speak “for the poor and those that have no voice … and when you love the masses you find yourself an enemy to the rich and the powerful.”

He also touched on the role of women in society: “When a woman does not know how to take care of her home, she does not know how to create peace…even though you want a professional career, that should be based on your ability ultimately to make a home.”

Many questions began with “Thank you Minister Farrakhan … it is an honor … thank you so much for your commitment, your dedication, your sacrifice for truth, for justice …” and were continued along the vein of Farrakhan and his teachings.

There were questions such as “Minister Farrakhan why does Israel play the victim and America play to their game?” and “How do you think that the Nation of Islam has positively affected America, and do you think that Americans are appreciative?”

None of the questioners addressed Farrakhan’s long history of anti-Semitic remarks or his long-rumored role in the murder of Malcolm X.

Follow Similoluwa Ojurongbe on Twitter and simioju.com