Farrakhan, Louis - Timeline Biography
Time Period
05-11-1933
Description
Born Louis Eugene Walcott (b. May 11, 1933), Farrakhan was originally a professional musician, but was introduced to the Black Muslim movement in 1953 and subsequently became a member of the Nation of Islam (NOI) in 1955. After his conversion, he left his musician career and slowly climbed the leadership ranks of the NOI in the 1960s.
After his mentor, Elijah Muhammad, died in 1975, NOI leadership was passed to his son, Warith Deen Muhammad, who decided to integrate the former NOI (i.e., American Muslim Mission) into more mainstream Islam. Upset by these changes, Farrakhan left the organization in 1978 and revitalized Elijah Muhammad’s distinct practices through his own rebranded Nation of Islam.
Since then, Farrakhan has reopened 130 NOI mosques around the world and led the famous Million Man March in 1995. Though a powerful leader, he has received criticism for making anti-Semitic remarks and promoting an anti-white theology.
After his mentor, Elijah Muhammad, died in 1975, NOI leadership was passed to his son, Warith Deen Muhammad, who decided to integrate the former NOI (i.e., American Muslim Mission) into more mainstream Islam. Upset by these changes, Farrakhan left the organization in 1978 and revitalized Elijah Muhammad’s distinct practices through his own rebranded Nation of Islam.
Since then, Farrakhan has reopened 130 NOI mosques around the world and led the famous Million Man March in 1995. Though a powerful leader, he has received criticism for making anti-Semitic remarks and promoting an anti-white theology.
Interactive Timeline(s)
Browse Related Timeline Entries
Religious Groups
Timeline Entries for the same religious group: IslamicIslamic: Other ARDA Links
Islamic: Religious Family Tree
Events
Million Man MarchMovements
Black Muslim MovementRelated Dictionary Terms
Black Muslims, Black Theology, Million Man March, Nation of IslamPhotographs
 (CC BY 2.0).jpg)
Louis Farrakhan portrait- Flickr- Jim Wallace (Smithsonian Institution) (CC BY 2.0)
Louis Farrakhan portrait- Wikimedia Commons
Book/Journal Source(s)
Murphy, Larry, J. Gordon Melton, and Gary Ward, 1993. Encyclopedia of African American Religions New York: Garland.Web Page Contributor
Benjamin T. GurrentzAffliated with: Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in Sociology
