Louis Farrakhan became a leading Nation of Islam figure, known for fiery speeches against white supremacy and integration.
The Nation of Islam was a Black nationalist religious movement that promoted African American self-reliance, racial separatism, and economic independence.
Founded in 1930 by Wallace D. Fard, the NOI combined Black nationalism with a unique interpretation of Islam, stressing racial separatism, African identity, and economic self-reliance.
Under Elijah Muhammad’s leadership, the NOI grew from a small fringe group into a powerful force, especially in Northern urban centers during the 1950s and 1960s.
Promoted self-governance and righteous living as central values.
Case study
The Gospel according to Fard:
Wallace D. Fard, founder of the Nation of Islam, was reportedly a door-to-door fabric salesman who mysteriously appeared in Detroit in the early 1930s; some stories say he experienced a spiritual awakening after being found near a dumpster, inspiring his unique religious teachings.
According to the Nation of Islam’s theology as told by Fard, Yacub was a Black scientist who lived around 6,600 years ago.
He is said to have created the white race through a process of selective breeding (sometimes called "grafting") not just as a neutral scientific experiment, but as an act of rebellion and betrayal against the original Black people.
Yacub’s creation of the white race is portrayed as a deliberate act that led to the eventual domination and oppression of Black people by whites.
The NOI narrative includes the idea that Yacub’s actions were a betrayal of the original righteous Black scientists and leaders. The righteous Black scientists had designed a peaceful and just society, but Yacub’s experiment led to the creation of a deceitful and violent people (whites) who would dominate and enslave the original people.
This betrayal is central to the NOI’s view of racial history, explaining white supremacy as the consequence of this ancient act.
The Nation of Islam also teaches about a "mother ship," a large spacecraft that will return to Earth to rescue the righteous Black people.
This mythological belief symbolizes divine intervention and ultimate salvation for the oppressed. The mother ship represents a future escape and redemption for Black people, reinforcing the NOI’s message of hope and cosmic justice.
Growth and Beliefs
Malcolm X, who converted to the NOI while in prison, became its charismatic national spokesperson in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Delivered powerful rhetoric on Black separatism and critiqued integration, contrasting sharply with mainstream civil rights leaders.
His influence helped expand NOI membership from under 1,000 to over 100,000, attracting African Americans disillusioned by ongoing racial violence and systemic inequality.
The NOI rejected nonviolence and integration, instead advocating forceful self-defense and economic independence.
Unlike other civil rights groups, it focused on growth, recruitment, and spreading its religious-political message, not voter registration or desegregation campaigns.
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Introduction to the Nation of Islam
The Nation of Islam (NOI) emerged as a powerful force in the mid-20th century, offering a distinct vision for Black empowerment and self-determination.
DefinitionNation of Islam (NOI)A religious and political organization founded in 1930 that combines elements of Islam with Black nationalist ideas.
NoteThe NOI was founded in 1930 by Wallace D. Fard in Detroit, Michigan, and later led by Elijah Muhammad.
ExampleThe NOI's message resonated with many African Americans who felt marginalized by mainstream society.