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Minister Louis Farrakhan

[Audio] Minister Louis Farrakhan kicks off 2017 Ramadan Prayer Line

On Saturday, May 27, The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan was the guest speaker on Day 1 of the annual Ramadan Prayer Line.

“My dear brothers and sisters, once again, by the favor of Allah, we are gathered together to celebrate this book, The Qur’an, that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, during the Holy Month of Ramadan. We thank Allah to be alive one more time to enter this great fast. There were many who were with us last Ramadan who are not with us this year. We pray that those who have gone on that the reward of their faithfulness, and the reward of their service to Allah, that we will not be deprived of their reward. But certainly we are now in a great trial after those who lived their life for Islam and died as Muslims that returned to Allah: We who are yet alive are now in a great time of trial, particularly in our world of Islam,” he said.

[READ TEXT]

“So all of the new Believers: It may be hard for you, but set your mind, set your will. Because once you do it one day, you can do it two; if you do it two, you can do it three—and if you do it three, you can do it for 30 days. And at the end of every night, after Salatul Maghrib, and iftar (the breaking of the fast), what a day of joy. As we have been in the Muslim world during Ramadan: When it is iftar over there, it is nothing but joy, joy, joy through the night; fellowship, brotherly love, eating and drinking. Not bad drinks, good drinks of water and juice, and milk. Oh, what a wonderful month this is going to be!”

May 31, 2017

Perspective Read-A-Holics

The Importance of Study: Something You Should Know Before You Start

written by BJ Blog Staff

by Willie Muhammad

In college every student is required to take what is called pre-requisite courses before delving into classes dealing with their major. Pre-requisite is a preliminary condition. A pre-requisite proceeds or prepares one for the main event to come. You may be saying to yourself, “What does this have to do with the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad?” Plenty!

Just as in college, pre-requisites are also needed before embarking on the study of Allah’s wisdom as revealed to the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. One of the MOST important pre-requisites that WE all must personally know is, “Our motive!” What is the motive that is driving us to want to study? Our motive will determine the quality and effectiveness of our study. I recently came across a powerful hadith in the Hadith Qudsi that highlights the great danger of being ill properly motivated. Check it out.

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah say: The first of people against whom judgment will be pronounced on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who died a martyr. He will be brought and Allah will make known to him His favours and he will recognize them. [The Almighty] will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I fought for you until I died a martyr. He will say: You have lied – you did but fight that it might be said [of you]: He is courageous. And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. [Another] will be a man who has studied [religious] knowledge and has taught it and who used to recite the Quran. He will be brought and Allah will make known to his His favours and he will recognize them. [The Almighty] will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I studied [religious] knowledge and I taught it and I recited the Quran for Your sake. He will say: You have lied – you did but study [religious] knowledge that it might be said [of you]: He is learned. And you recited the Quran that it might be said [of you]: He is a reciter. And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. [Another] will be a man whom Allah had made rich and to whom He had given all kinds of wealth. He will be brought and Allah will make known to his His favours and he will recognize them. [The Almighty] will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I left no path [untrodden] in which You like money to be spent without spending in it for Your sake. He will say: You have lied – you did but do so that it might be said [of you]: He is open-handed. And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. It was related by Muslim (also by at-Tirmidhi and an-Nasa’i).

Why do you want to study? Do we want to study to show off at study group? Is our motivation to learn all we can for the purpose of engaging in mental martial arts, where we foolishly destroy our Lost-Found brothers and sisters to make ourselves look good in the eyes of others? We gain nothing by beating up and tearing our people apart. For instance, take this quote in consideration, “Anyone can tear something down. Being able to build it in the first place is what counts. Whom do you admire more, the person who builds a home or the person who sets a match to it?” Our motivation to study should not be driven by pride; it should be to accomplish what is being accomplished by the example in our midst, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan is using the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad to tear down falsehood while building God fearing men and women of sound character. The Minister is the BEST example in our midst because he is driven by the best motive any person in the work of Resurrection could be fueled by which is LOVE. The scripture says, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.” Allah and His Christ has granted the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan access into their minds and the revealed word because of the purity of his heart. This fact brings to mind a fable I once read that I would like to share with you. It is titled, “A Precious Gift.”

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But, a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. “I’ve been thinking,” he said. “I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone.” Sometimes it’s not the wealth you have but what’s inside you that others need.

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan is a sign of the potential that resides in each of us. We too via our study can be like him. In order to do so we have to check out MOTIVE.

(Willie Muhammad serves as the Student Minister at Muhammad Mosque No. 46 in New Orleans. Follow him on Twitter @BroWM46 and Instagram. Visit the official New Orleans mosque website @ noineworleans.org)

May 3, 2017

Perspective Spirituality

Bishop George Bloomer is Flat-Out Wrong Concerning Minister Louis Farrakhan and The Nation of Islam

written by BJ Blog Staff

“Bishop Bloomer grossly mischaracterized the good works of Minister Farrakhan and the noble aims of the FOI (Fruit of Islam)”

By Amon Muhammad

A friend of mine sent me a clip of Bishop George Bloomer’s recent appearance on Dr. Rod Parsley’s program dated January 10, 2017 to promote one of his latest publications. I decided to watch the entire presentation, Portals: Closing the Gateways of the Adversary, to try to gain a better understanding.

While there were many points he made to encourage viewers to get his book, he made false statements and purposeful mischaracterizations of our teacher and spiritual guide, The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the entire Nation of Islam.

Dr. Parsley said of his book that he felt it was “expertly written” and “directed divinely by the heart of the Holy Spirit”. However, if his book contains the untruthful disparaging remarks he made concerning us on the program, then that part of the book is of himself and not of the Holy Spirit.

Dear Bishop Bloomer, during the segment Sexually Transmitted Deceptions and Spirits, you made the following untrue statement:

The Nation of Islam, under Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam put out a evangelistical mandate and they said they can evangelize and fill their church up with women by going to the Baptist churches and the Pentecostal churches and going after women who are lonely and have no man. So they’re now sending Fruit of Islam (FOI) into our churches and they sit there and these weak women who don’t have a husband, they work with the kids and they snatch them, then we are looking for our ladies and they are sitting up in one of those mosques or one of those temples. Now the Nation of Islam is not to be confused with Islam, it’s a whole different Satanic Cult like movement. There are churches that have more people in their church than they have in the whole Nation of Islam, but yet they are making these great impacts because of these generational curses, these generational spirits…

A mandate is an official order or commission to do something. Produce this “evangelistical mandate” that you claim exists. Minister Louis Farrakhan, who many Muslims AND Christians believe to be directed divinely by the heart of the Holy Spirit, has not given us any such order to evangelize by going into churches looking for women who are lonely and have no man. He would NEVER do this and would firmly admonish anyone in our believing community for advising such. I have traveled to many, many churches across America with Minister Farrakhan as the guest speaker and witnessed women and men join that specific church after his preaching. This is documented. This is recorded. Thousands can attest to this FACT. If you cannot produce this “mandate”…and you cannot…then this statement must be accepted as an outright falsehood.

(L-R) Rev. Ira J. Acree, Min. Farrakhan and Congressman Danny K. Davis Photo: Haroon Rajaee

So they’re now sending Fruit of Islam (FOI) into our churches and they sit there and these weak women who don’t have a husband, they work with the kids and they snatch them, then we are looking for our ladies and they are sitting up in one of those mosques or one of those temples.

Who is doing this sending, Brother? If such a directive existed in Durham, NC or The Nation, we would know it. This is an outright insult to Minister Louis Farrakhan, the Brothers of the Nation, our faithful, committed and beautiful Sisters of the Nation AND the women of the church, who need to be made stronger in faith and in their moral life if strange men of a different faith expression can snatch them up. Truthfully, you are not complementing the men of the church, either, that would allow “outside men” to come and take away their women and children, weak or not.

Of course, we have female members who are former members of churches, maybe yours. Perhaps, they were dissatisfied with what they were being taught, something they witnessed or were not fulfilled and decided to leave. This is the case, universally, in the majority of houses of worship. We did not go to church and pick them off.

We have male members who have accepted Islam and their wives remain faithful servants in their church homes. These are facts. A Muslim man is permitted to remain married to his Christian wife by The Holy Qur’an and is not to disrupt her worship of God following the example of Jesus Christ. She is not to be “forced” to become a Muslim. Her belief is not compulsory. If she accepts Islam as a way of life, she does so by her own testimony of faith. It cannot be done for her. Women, who are leaving the church, more than likely, are doing so for their own personal reasons.

Now the Nation of Islam is not to be confused with Islam it’s a whole different Satanic Cult like movement.

We are Muslims. We are not Satanic. We are not a “cult like movement”. You will be hard pressed to find a more dynamic group of thinkers whose membership ranges from the streets to the suites, different ethnicities, Black, Brown, Red, and Yellow. There are many White supporters, sympathizers and students of Minister Farrakhan who would take umbrage with your Satanic label. This is a fact.

The Holy Qur’an warns ALL Believers in God to seek refuge in Him from the effects Satanic behavior, “of the evil of those who cast (evil suggestions) in firm resolutions”. Holy Qur’an 113:4

Grand Ayatollah Ahmed Jannati of Iran meets with the Nation of Islam delegation. Photo via Sobhan Hassanvand

We have countless members who excel in every walk of life. Doctors, scholars, entertainers, scientists, educators, politicians, farmers, pilots, athletes, business persons, and more who are all encouraged by Minister Farrakhan to be free & critical thinkers.

It is deceitful to make the listeners of that program believe that The Nation of Islam is separate and not a part of the broader Muslim world. The Minister & we who follow him have been accepted all over the world. The Minister, less than a year ago, visited Iran as an invited guest and leading thinker in the Islamic world. He has addressed millions in that nation during its Islamic Revolution Rally…an honor hardly afforded to a foreigner.

His travels and acceptance by Muslims and various governments all over the world are too numerous to mention. Take a glimpse, Dear Bishop and others, who may not know how much this man of God is not without honor outside of his own house:

As a student and follower of Minister Farrakhan, I have been blessed to travel across America, Jamaica & West African countries. And as a part of a NOI delegation to dedicate a Mosque and School he established in honor of Alex Haley (Roots). I have been accepted and honored as a Muslim follower of his…meeting highly placed people, including government officials, because of Minister Farrakhan’s sterling reputation as a committed servant of the oppressed and fearless teacher of Divine Revelation!

There are churches that have more people in their church than they have in the whole Nation of Islam, but yet they are making these great impacts because of these generational curses, these generational spirits…

I doubt that. There are certainly some huge mega-churches in the United States of America. Yet again, Dear Bishop Bloomer, these are claims that can’t be substantiated. Furthermore, if we are so few in number, just leave us alone. Don’t worry about us. Certainly, we are so outnumbered what could we do?

You would rather give credit to Satan, witches, generational curses and spirits for our great impacts rather than to give credit to Almighty God, who Guides, Backs and Protects the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and we who follow him. It is the Lord of the Worlds, Himself, who is granting us victory over the generational curses put on human beings by other human beings.

This line of reasoning reminds me of the beautiful words of Jesus, in whom ALL Muslims believe:

John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.” But Jesus replied, “Do not stop him. No one who performs a miracle in My name can turn around and speak evil of Me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Mark 9:38-40

If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matthew 12:26-28

Dear Bishop Bloomer, for two years, according to your words, you were bound by heroin and crack cocaine while a preacher of God’s Word. You said that you would get high 20 minutes before you would go out to preach. You spoke of many, many pastors who have died in hotels and in their church offices from overdosing on drugs. This is hurtful. We don’t make light of any addictions. Hopefully, there will be something in your and Dr. Parsley’s writings that will help those who can afford to send a $107 victory seed to learn about this power to close portals.

However, since God Blessed you to come from under the clutches of drugs through intercessory prayer, not money, consider interceding with us, Muslims, Christians and others whose hearts yearn to make a difference in Durham’s streets where those who are in need of a doctor are at every turn. Durham and the Triangle would rather see you in the streets using your anointing to close the portals of hopelessness, close the portals of immorality and close the portals of self-hatred.

Our worship now must be in the streets, getting after those who Jesus loves. Prove God is with you by engaging the most downtrodden who can’t give 107 cents or anything at all to learn how to close these portals and leave the good works of Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam alone.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.” Psalms 107:1-7

(Amon Muhammad is the Student Minister of The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and Nation of Islam’s Muhammad Mosque No. 34 in Durham, North Carolina. Social Media: Twitter and Instagram)

February 5, 2017

Feminizing Black Men: An Assault on Black Manhood

written by BJ Blog Staff

Why and how Black Manhood is under attack

BY BRYAN CRAWFORD -CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CHICAGO (Source: FinalCall.com)—Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan recently delivered an address to the Afrikan Black Coalition in Long Beach, Calif. During a portion of the lecture, the Minister recounted his battle and victory against cancer. He told the audience he was prescribed a drug that alters body chemistry to the degree that when men take it, they get the same symptoms women experience when going through menopause. And when taken for an extended period of time, this drug can also cause men to develop breasts.

His point was that changes in sexuality could be manipulated by drugs designed to promote such change. “I’m dealing with the chemistry [experiment] of a scientist, now,” said Min. Farrakhan. “He can make you think you’re a homosexual [and] he’s feminizing the Black man.”

That statement caused some members of the LGBTQ community in attendance to get up and walk out. Min. Farrakhan appealed to those who were leaving to listen to his words and know that his heart was full of love for them.

“I don’t want anybody who is LGBTQ to think I’m talking down to you. We’re not going nowhere without you. You are some of the most brilliant of our people, but the enemy is a scientist of evil,” he said. “Have you seen this commercial: ‘Have you taken this pill and you find out you’re developing breasts, stop taking it immediately.’ Just a pill, dang that’s chemistry for you. These are masters of chemistry. Now, wait, then they say, ‘If you take this pill and you find yourself having suicidal thoughts, stop taking that pill immediately.’ You mean a pill can influence the way you think? Another pill with chemistry can create breasts among men,” said the Minister.

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February 2, 2017

Perspective

The Misunderstanding of Minister Louis Farrakhan & the Nation of Islam

written by BJ Blog Staff

By: Salih Muhammad

History will absolve me – Commandante Fidel Castro

The Honorable Elijah Muhammad wrote, “Of all of our studies, history is most guaranteed to reward our research.” History examines the patterns of human behavior and relationships, providing its student with a striking understanding of context. A cursory examination of Black history indicates that every great leader we have produced has been met with a litany of obstacles and controversies that impacts their ability to work on behalf of the people. Many of those whom we presently honor did not receive such honors while they were alive. Why?

With more than 60 years of dedication and unwavering commitment to the liberation of All Black People, Minister Farrakhan stands as one of our most consistent and successful leaders. Although he has received praise from global leaders such as Fidel Castro, Kwame Toure, former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings, and Yasser Arafat, Minister Farrakhan remains the central, most controversial figure in Black America. The hatred that is summoned at the sound of his name is rooted not in treacherous action, but the following myths that disguise the underlying truth that exposes them.

Malcolm X

Some oppose Minister Farrakhan on the assumption that he, and the Nation of Islam are responsible for the assassination of Minister Malcolm X. However, in a January 22, 1969 memo, the FBI actually take credit for the assassination of Malcolm X through the Counterintelligence Program (COINTELPRO). COINTELPRO is the same program responsible for the death of Fred Hampton, Mark Clark, and countless other Black Leaders. Malcolm’s secretary, Ms. Sarah Mitchell stated the following in regards to the night before his assassination:

“He said now anyone could kill him and everyone would blame the Muslims … He said, ‘We’ve been set up, and they succeeded.’ Malcolm X planned to recant his criticism of Muhammad at the Harlem rally that afternoon, Mitchell said, but he was gunned down before he could do so. She disputes a widely held belief that angry Muslims were behind the assassination.”

Homophobia & Transantagonism

Although I acknowledge that the spiritual views of Minister Farrakhan & the NOI in regards to Queer & Transgender identities is rooted in Islamic beliefs that conflict, I believe that we can work toward Operational Unity with love at the root. On March 25, 2011, Min. Farrakhan stated, “I love my people who are lesbian, homosexual, transgender. Don’t make no difference, I love you.” The words are very clear and are supported by his actions. Not once, has the NOI or any NOI member committed physical violence upon our Black LGBT family; and we welcome opportunities to build and heal any unintended pain in unity. Furthermore, the love of all Black people is not a transaction; or a consequence of Queer & Trans contributions to our struggle; rather a deeply spiritual and pure love of all Black people.

Gwendolyn Rodgers, a National Black Justice Coalition Emerging Leader (a Black LGBT Advocacy organization) examines this unfortunate reality in this beautifully written article. Gwendolyn asks us to reevaluate our perceived differences and consider, “Can we not operate in our silos for a common cause of liberation? Or do we not want to be truly free?” Is it possible to create unity without uniformity? To listen through disagreement?

Misogyny, Misogynoir, and Black Women

What has been most interesting around the charges of misogyny, misogynoir, and sexism within the Nation of Islam has been the complete absence of the voices of NOI women on the subject. Kathleen Currin interviewed such women and found that “all the women interviewed expressed over and over again that they loved their experiences in the Nation of Islam, precisely because it taught them that they could accomplish what they wanted.” Professor Ula Taylor of UC Berkeley offers that “many women joined the ranks of the Nation of Islam because of the “problematic dynamics within the Black power movement.” In fact, every NOI Mosque is constitutionally mandated to have women in leadership, up to and including Mother Clara Muhammad’s active leadership of the NOI from 1942 to 1947. Similarly, a survey conducted by Dr. Bayinnah Jefferies found that 89% of respondents (both male and female) agreed that “women were always highly respected within the community” and “had comparable roles to men” in the NOI.

Minister Farrakhan’s prolific support of Black Women and girls for six decades has been unprecedented. Phrases like “The Black Woman is God,” or “A Nation can rise no higher than its Woman,” find their roots in NOI theology and Minister Farrakhan’s spiritual exegesis. In 1998, Minister Farrakhan made Dr. Ava Muhammad the first woman to lead a Mosque (Atlanta, GA) in the world. Today, Dr. Ava is his National Spokesperson, a role comparable to the one Malcolm X’s once held. Dr. Ava is a just one example of the type of empowerment, renewal, and upliftment that Black Women across the country experience from their relationship with Islam. Similarly, the Million Man March and Justice or Else gatherings featured legendary Black women, including Maya Angelou and Dorothy Heights.

Anti-Semitic

Since the 1980’s, Minister Farrakhan has weathered the storm of being consistently and repeatedly called anti-Semitic. The accusation has been so intense that it has lead to Zionist protest with slurs such as “Who do we Want? Farrakhan! How do we want him? Dead!” The accusations have been so misleading that the white-led Southern Poverty Law Center classifies the NOI and Minister Farrakhan in the same grouping as the Ku Klux Klan, although the NOI has never been known to purvey violence. The KKK has a long record of murder and terrorism; the NOI has none. The truth of the matter is that the charge of anti-semitism has been used historically and presently to condemn those critical of Israel. Consider this August 14, 2002 interview between NPR’s Amy Goodman and former Israeli Minister of Education Shulamit Aloni:

Goodman: Often there is dissent expressed in the United States against policies of the Israeli government, people here are called “anti-semitic.” What is your response to that as an Israeli Jew?

Aloni: Well, it’s a trick. We always use it.

Anti-semitism is vastly different from a political critique of Israeli imperialism.

Is Farrakhan still relevant?

Some may suggest that Minister Farrakhan no longer carries relevance, except the controversy that seems to follow him. Min. Farrakhan is responsible for hosting the four largest gatherings in Black History, most recently Justice or Else in October 2015, each averaging at least one million Black people. No other leader has been able to maintain such a strong appeal, especially in spite of a complete media absence in coverage before, during, or after the march. Or consider that under his leadership, the Nation of Islam maintains bases in more than 120 cities across America, and more globally. Countless artists, entertainers, politicians, and other renowned Black folks have embraced Minister Farrakhan publicly; and the Nation’s impact on Black social and political realities has remained consistent. Lastly, the Nation of Islam under Minister Farrakhan’s leadership is one of the only remaining strong, independent, Black Organizations we have.

The harsh reality is that too often our perception of Black leaders is shaped and influenced by white popular media, long standing assumptions, and a sheer lack of knowledge. The notion that he is no longer relevant is as unfounded as it is absurd. The reality is that corporate (read: white) sponsored media has intentionally excluded anything related to Min. Farrakhan, creating the false appearance that Minister Farrakhan is no longer relevant. How does Justice or Else happen and without one corporate (read: white) media entity covering it? The media’s opinion of the Minister can be found in a March 1999 New York Post–America’s 7th largest newspaper–cartoon depicting Minister Farrakhan’s decapitation.

One may not agree with every single thing that Minister Farrakhan says, but certainly 60 years of sacrifice for Black people deserves respect. To his example, we owe gratitude. I conclude with a remarkable reminder from Sister Assata Shakur: “The first thing the enemy tries to do is isolate revolutionaries from the masses of people, making us horrible and hideous monsters so that our people will hate us.”

Reposted from: http://afrikanblackcoalition.org/2017/01/05/the-misunderstanding-of-minister-louis-farrakhan-the-nation-of-islam/

(On January 14th, The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan will be speaking at this year’s Afrikan Black Coalition Conference. For more information see the flyer below and visit: http://afrikanblackcoalition.org/abc-conference/)

I am honored to be speaking at this year’s Afrikan Black Coalition Conference on January 14th. #Farrakhan #ABC2K17

A photo posted by Minister Louis Farrakhan (@louisfarrakhan) on Jan 6, 2017 at 3:17pm PST

January 8, 2017

Divine Grind

Elijah Muhammad was not money hungry! Money is not the objective

written by BJ Blog Staff

I do like my Teacher. Elijah Muhammad was not about money. He had the best of everything but he wasn’t money hungry. Money is not the objective! The hearts of the people is the objective.

December 19, 2016

Motivation Perspective

The Big 7 Interview with Hip-Hop Legend K-Rino: “It was like a pregnancy and I gave birth to septuplets.”

written by BJ Blog Staff

(Blogger’s Note: I’ve known the Hip-Hop legend K-Rino for many years and I consider him one of the greatest lyricists of all-time; not just in Houston, but the entire global industry. Along with doing some of the greatest rhymes and albums ever, he has also been very active in empowering the South Park neighborhood he grew up in along with inspiring countless people across the country and the world. I recently went one-on-one with him on his unbelievable feat of releasing seven albums in one day.)

Brother Jesse: At what moment did you choose this path of being a hip-hop artist? Why the name K-Rino?

K-Rino: I started rappin’ in 1983 but I really decided to be a rapper full time around 1985 when I got cut from my high school football team. After that I dedicated all my energy to writing. The name K-Rino was just a play name I had since maybe 4th grade but as I got more into music I created an acronym with it which is K.iller R.hymes I.ntellectually N.ullifying O.pponents.

Brother Jesse: How has growing up in South Park, life experiences and The Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad impacted your music the past 30 years?

Photo: K-Rino Facebook page

K-Rino: Those three things you name are what makes up 75% of who I am as an artist. The other 25% would be the God given ability itself. South Park is where I saw a lot of things I speak about from just a street perspective. Of course just living life and going through things played a huge role in concepts as well. But the Teachings of The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad are in my opinion what has allowed me to have the longevity I’ve had. People gravitate toward knowledge that they have never been exposed to. So when it’s done through music, it enhances people’s perception of you. And I have been blessed to be able to use what I learned from The Teachings in my music to try to change lives for the better and it’s been very effective. This is a body of knowledge that Black people don’t get in public schools so to many it’s mind blowing when they hear it for the first time. And it also gives me a platform to bring people to The Teachings because they always ask me where I learned it from.

Brother Jesse: What was your aim in starting the South Park Coalition? What has its presence meant to the advancement of hip-hop, especially in the South?

K-Rino: In the beginning I just wanted to organize my homies who I went to school with. Later it evolved into an opportunity to bring the rappers in my neighborhood together because there was a lot of beef between us in those days. Eventually, we grew to where you didn’t have to be from South Park or even Houston or even America for that matter to be in the S.P.C. People from everywhere fell in love with what we stood for and wanted to be a part of it.

I can’t say what our presence has meant in the grand scheme because being underground like we were and still are, there are many who never heard of us right in our own back yard. I do know that many of the major groups in the South have been influenced by us and they’ve told us that face to face so the respect is there from certain artists and it’s definitely there from our loyal diehard fans. That’s why we’re still here 30 years later.

Brother Jesse: You have 30 albums in your catalog and recently released seven in one day. What sparked this feat? How long did it take and can you please describe the process from start to completion? What did you find out about yourself while gunning for this?

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The Big 7 Promo

K-Rino: Well as an underground artist, you know you won’t get the exposure that the mainstream artists get, so when you think about your own legacy you have to ask yourself: What have you done that no one else can say they did and what will distinguish you from the rest? Initially I wanted to drop 100 songs in one day on iTunes. Then that got reduced to 84 songs divided by 12 songs per cd which came out to be 7.

The hardest part was conceptualizing and then writing. Writing on a high level was the key to the success. When you do that many songs in that short span of time complacency can creep in and the quality of the project can suffer so the challenge was to stay focused on making every song lyrically potent; no short cuts. I had moments of discouragement and second thoughts but I was able to brush those thoughts off and focus on the marathon as opposed to the sprint. The lesson was no great accomplishment is achieved without struggle. I underwent a full range of emotions during the nine month process of putting this thing together. It was like a pregnancy (laughs) and I gave birth to septuplets.

Brother Jesse: You mentioned that you haven’t found any artist who has come close to releasing this many albums at one time. Do you plan to officially file with the Guinness World Record Federation?

K-Rino: Absolutely. I don’t think anyone has done this. So if that’s the case why not try to apply to see if it’s a record? Like I said, as an underground artist, this is great for my legacy.

Brother Jesse: Since getting all seven in hand several weeks ago, I admit I just recently made it to the fourth disc because I keep pressing repeat. As expected, you’re raising the bar with every song. Did you meet or exceed your expectations? What has the feedback been like thus far from your supporters?

K-Rino: The feedback has been great so far. All positive. There will always be those who may not like what you do but the responses have been very good which is a relief.

I’ll never be satisfied with it personally because I always feel like it could have been better and this project is no exception. I always critique my albums after they’re done and feel a sense of dissatisfaction but I think that’s what keeps me motivated for the next one to be better. I’m my own worst critic.

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A.R.C. (Artists Respecting Community) meeting at Muhammad Mosque No. 45 in Houston.

Brother Jesse: You’ve been active in the Houston community for years and you’re also a part of the A.R.C. (Artists Respecting Community) which has been meeting monthly. What is the focus of A.R.C.?

K-Rino: The focus of A.R.C. is to educate artists on the business of music. We come into this industry operating strictly on talent while someone else profits from the talent. So we want to teach the importance of publishing, copyrights, team building, entertainment law, the skill of promotion and marketing. These are all of the facets of the game that lead to the money. However, in our ignorance we come in letting others take control of those aspects and by the time we learn that part it’s usually too late and our musical legacy is set but the future of our families and financial security is gone. A.R.C. is also a community oriented organization which uses music as a platform to reach our people and make a positive impact on the community.

Brother Jesse: From your lens, what is the state of hip-hop? What do you think artists should be focused on more when it comes to leveraging their platforms?

K-Rino: Hip-hop is many things to different people. Depending on your age, preference, what era you came up in, that shapes your view on what state it’s in.

I believe it’s what you make it. If you have true love for the art and what it stands for then you won’t disrespect it. I do know that you get out of it what you put in so in a lot of cases our level of dissatisfaction is a result of our lack of grind but we blame the “game” and other artists for messing up or ‘killing’ hip hop. The internet has leveled the playing field to a degree so mainstream radio, TV, etc., are no longer the only means of achieving success. You just have to work hard. An artist has to find his/her identity then push themselves to the max and build their audience.

Brother Jesse: What should your fan base look forward to in 2017, especially since you’ve dropped enough music in one day to last them a life-time?

K-Rino: (Laughs). I’m gonna drop an album with my brother Gangsta Nip. Then I’m gonna chill from recording but not promotion. So I’ll still be very active in 2017, Insha’Allah.

(To purchase K-Rino’s historical Big 7, click the link below. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook)

December 10, 2016

Perspective Spirituality

No, The Nation of Islam Didn’t Kill Malcolm X

written by BJ Blog Staff

While scrolling through Minister Farrakhan’s social media posts, there seems to forever be at least one person saying “You killed Malcolm”or some negative myth about the Nation of Islam in relation to our brother. Before I get the comment “Well why do you care what someone online thinks?”, let me say that this is more than just one troll on Twitter. The harmful rhetoric of The Nation of Islam killing Malcolm X, or The Honorable Elijah Muhammad being an immoral man, has led many away from the Nation, and has been used for propaganda to write The Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s name, and the nation, badly in history. It has been a falsehood that many have used to justify any harm they wish to do to the Nation of Islam. It has shaped the thinking of a lot of people and has created misconceptions for years. Lies are powerful. I hope to help debunk some of the myths I see, and have been told face to face.

By Nzinga Muhammad

1. “Minister Farrakhan had Malcolm X killed and conspired his death.”

This is a complete lie with little to no evidence that it actually happened. The minister speaks highly of Malcolm X and has said countless times that if he had his mentor killed, he would have faced some sort of trial already. The fact of the matter is that The Honorable Elijah Muhammad gave strict orders to leave him alone. If you know anything about the Nation of Islam, you know that once the leader tells his followers something, you’re obligated to obey. He explained this already in his lecture “Malcolm X: 28 Years Later What Really Happened?”

2. “Elijah Muhammad was a pedophile who preyed on teenage secretaries and Malcolm X exposed him then moved on to Orthodox Islam.”

“Teenage secretaries” was a term that was used by Malcolm X to deceptively describe his teacher’s wives he found out about. “Wives” as in legal and consensual marriage. He didn’t “expose” anyone. He knew exactly what polygamy was and why it was permitted in the Holy Quran for Allah’s Messenger (under certain circumstances of course). Malcolm X was very intelligent and well versed in the scriptures. It also makes no sense that he would give up the Nation of Islam because he found out about a man having more than one wife, to go follow a more traditional way of Islam under strictly Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) who had nine wives. And some say his wife Aishah was between 10-19 when they got married. Clearly, it’s something else that caused the split.

The Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s wives talked about their husband 28 years after the assassination of Malcolm X during a lecture that Minister Farrakhan gave. They denied all accusation of pedophilia, sexual harassment, or any negative propaganda against them and their husband.

3. “The killer of Malcolm X was a Nation of Islam member.”

In an interview with Ilyasah Shabazz, Malcolm X’s daughter, she says that the killer was not in the Nation of Islam. She points to Abdul Razzaq, who was our brother’s secretary as a source. She says that Abdul Razzaq always said who the real trigger men were, and they were not Nation of Islam members. Even if they were, the government has never been a friend of black leaders, and they often send agents in organizations to disrupt them.

In the interview, there is mention that her father was being watched during his trip to Mecca, who he suspected was the CIA, not the Nation. He was poisoned in Egypt and said that he did not think that the Nation were the ones doing this. There is a document of J. Edgar Hoover, former director of the FBI, telling the agency’s New York office to “Do something about Malcolm X”. There are different events that took place leading up to the assassination, that were not of the Muslims.

The story behind the split between Malcolm X and The Nation of Islam, and the assassination has been twisted and fabricated to frame an entire nation of people, and justify the hatred towards them. NO, The Nation of Islam didn’t kill Malcolm X.

(Nzinga Muhammad is based in Rochester, NY. Follow her on Twitter @QueenNzinga13)

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November 29, 2016

Divine Grind Top News

Minister Louis Farrakhan and Nation of Islam standing with Colin Kaepernick

written by BJ Blog Staff

On August 30, 2016, The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan weighed in on the controversy surrounding NFL player Colin Kaepernick. The official statement was posted on his Facebook page.

To my brother and companion in struggle Colin Kaepernick: I am deeply grateful to Almighty God Allah for the courageous stand that you have taken,” said Minister Farrakhan, the National Representative of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. “I stand with you. We in the Nation of Islam stand with you. And I’m asking all right thinking Black people, Brown people, and White people to stand with you to force the change that Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton are talking; but it will never happen until the people are sick and tired of injustice and summon the courage to stand to make a difference.”

Here’s the full statement:

To my brother and companion in struggle Colin Kaepernick: I am deeply grateful to Almighty God Allah for the courageous stand that you have taken.

Courage is one of the great characteristics of great men and women. And at the root of courage is love for the principle that is bigger than our lives, bigger than our nation. And this is what moves great men and women to move a nation forward, by standing against injustice, standing against tyranny and oppression, and standing against the institution of slavery. This nation would not be what it is had there not been men and women who were willing to suffer to bring about meaningful change that moved a people, a nation and a world toward the realization of some eternal principle. The greatest of these principles is the essence of life itself: Freedom, Justice and Equality.

At the root of your courage is love; a love that would allow you to sacrifice yourself, your income, your reputation, to take a stand for those who are unable to stand for themselves. Instead of being disliked and evil spoken of by some of our own, those who are sent into positions of strength will never use that strength to bring about real change. This is a world of sport and play and the Blacks and the Browns and the poor are those who are the greatest in strength and power in sports, in music, and those fields the American people greatly admire. Our athletes and artists have the means to make a stand to force change. I pray that instead of condemning you that our brothers and sisters and all those who love justice, will commend you for your stand and join your stand in whatever way they can. But until we stand, the people that oppress others will continue to oppress. The people that terrorize others will continue to terrorize others who, in their cowardice and weakness or desire to benefit from the status quo, stand by the wayside and allow others to stand, when if they summoned courage they would stand with you as well.

Your stand has unearthed things about Francis Scott Key and the writing of the lyrics of the Star-Spangled Banner, that would make any person of right thinking and right mind cringe at what was in the mind of the man that wrote the words of the Star-Spangled Banner.

I stand with you. We in the Nation of Islam stand with you. And I’m asking all right thinking Black people, Brown people, and White people to stand with you to force the change that Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton are talking; but it will never happen until the people are sick and tired of injustice and summon the courage to stand to make a difference.

This is our time while we are alive to make a difference and pass on to a succeeding generation a better world than we inherited. We need thousands more like Colin Kaepernick.

Best wishes for your continued success.

Your Brother,
Minister Louis Farrakhan
August 30, 2016

August 30, 2016

Spirituality

Studying the Holy Qur’an in Arabic from What he was given…

written by BJ Blog Staff

by Brother Eric R. Muhammad

“The Holy Qur‘an’s readings are not the kind that will lull one to sleep, but to get a real Qur’an one should know the Arabic language in which it is written. However, you can find a good translation of it by Yusuf Ali and Muhammad Ali.” (The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Message to the Blackman, pg. 93)

In the 1964 interview with Buzz Anderson, The Honorable Elijah Muhammad stated “He (His Teacher, Master Fard Muhammad) gave me a Holy Qur’an in English and Arabic… I studied The Holy Qur’an from what He gave me.”

I have been inspired for many years to write a column and offer translations of the chapters of The Holy Qur’an based on the above quotes by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. What moved me from just inspiration (thought) to practice (doing it, smile) was a statement made by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan addressing the Muhammad University of Islam 5th Annual Educational Conference. He said, “The Muhammad came to make us equal to the scientist or scholars of Islam, not only equal, but superior…”

elijah I will begin by expressing the importance of Grammar. The grammar of any language is primarily the study of forms of words and how these words relate to one another to give specific meanings. Therefore, examine how The Honorable Elijah Muhammad studied the Holy Qur’an. This is powerful because language is suppose to live; and we should see each word in a living situation. For example, The Honorable Elijah Muhammad said, “2/3 of the Holy Qur’an was for him; and 1/3 was for another fellow…”. What allowed him to see that about himself and the other fellow; and what and who will help us to identify the other fellow?

Here are a few important concepts about “grammar”:

1. People best relate to each other when they are able to communicate and convey their thoughts and ideas in the most perfect way.
2. We study “grammar” to find out how to put words together so they express ideas and thoughts clearly and effectively.
3. To better understand “grammar” we should see it as the law and order of the sentence structure and language.

There are three main terms that are used for grammar in the Arabic Language.

1. The first is (As-SARF) and this word shows how words are formed in language, its inflection, derivation, and conjugation.
2. The second term used is (AN-Nah- wu) and it refers to the syntax (word order and sentence structure.) It gives direction, course, manner, and the method in which words are to be placed.
3. The third term is (Al Qawaa ‘id), which in its root meaning indicates foundation, fundamentals, morphology, and syntax. This word encompasses both As-Sarf and An-Nah wu.

In your studies, dear fellow students, you will see the word, “Qawaa ‘id,”. In the Qur’an, this word is related to Abraham and Ismael laying the Foundations (Qawaa ‘id) of the Kabbah. Also, when Iblis is having a conversation with Allah when he says, (Iblis) said: “Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait (Qawaa ‘id) for them on Your Straight Path.” (7:16)

LIBYA – SEPTEMBER 01: L – Farrakhan Receives Award Kadhafi Of Human Rights On September 1st, 1996 In Tripoli, Libya. (Photo by Alexis DUCLOS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

The purpose of this writing, as we conclude, is to bear witness to why we must learn the Arabic of the Holy Qur’an. Let’s say you are reading the following verse from Maulana Muhammad Ali’s translation:

“O you who believe, surely of your wives and your children there are enemies to you, so beware of them. And if you pardon and forbear and forgive, surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” 66:14

It starts off with “O you who believe” then it states, “among your wives…”. How do you interpret that as a Muslim Believer, Sisters? And most of all, how do we as Muslim Brothers interpret that? The word “wives”, translated by Maulana Muhammad Ali, is “Azwaaji” (kum, you plural); and it means husbands, wives, or Spouses. You must use the appropriate word in a translation based on the contextual meaning. For instance, look at the next verse same word, same As-Sarf (grammar term above), but different ending, Azwaaji (Ka, you singular, referring to the Prophet Muhammad, PBUH):

“O Prophet! Why do you ban (for yourself) that which Allah has made lawful to you, seeking to please your wives (Azwaaji ka)? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” 66:1

Now, in the translation of the above verse, it’s appropriate to use “wives” as the English word; because it’s a direct statement to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) concerning his wives. In Surah (chapter) 66:14, is a direct statement to the Believers (any Believer whether male or female) because there are some husbands that are enemies to some Believing wives. A better and clearer translation for the reader of Surah 66:14 would be:

“O you who believe, surely of your spouses and your children there are enemies to you, so beware of them. And if you pardon and forbear and forgive, surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”

Lastly, in my years of translating and studying, I realized that you don’t have to force The Teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad as the tafsir, (meaning or explanation). It is the Tafsir. I was watching a video lecture by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan years ago, and he said, “My English is more precise than your Arabic.” I said, “Wow!” I asked myself, “How can a man as The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan travel the Muslim World with the Teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and make the most powerful impact that he is making with an English translation of the Holy Qur’an?” Then I thought, “because One came and taught one; and that One that came spoke 16 languages and wrote 10 of those languages. Surely, He could translate the Arabic into English in the Most Perfect way; and call it the Supreme Wisdom.”

Brothers and Sisters, this is why I strongly suggest to us that even when we get the Holy Qur’an in Arabic, we must Always study it from what was given to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad by His Teacher; and what They both are giving to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, today. This method of study brings the content (Ayah, verses) to the present time and gives it the energy that is needed for us, as the reader, to accomplish The Work in our time. The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan stated while in Houston, “You must know how the Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, established Islam 1400 years ago in Arabia, in order to understand how the Honorable Elijah Muhammad is establishing Islam today.” Because what The Teacher of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad gave to him; and what They are both giving to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan; and in turn, what he is giving to us, is the Tasfir, meaning or interpretation.

Thank you for reading these few words and may Allah reward our efforts to be better students in Islam, “Everything”.

(Brother Eric R. Muhammad is a Nation of Islam Student Assistant Minister at Muhammad Mosque No. 45 in Houston. To order his new book “Understanding and Applying the Qur’anic Principles of Justice…Or Else!” visit www.justiceorelsesouthwest.com. Email: nafsallah@gmail.com Twitter: @qudus)

mock up

August 13, 2016