Nation of Islam to Move into Political Arena

July 25, 2000

Source: Financial Times

On July 25, 2000, London's Financial Times Limited published an article regarding America's Nation of Islam. After years of remaining out of mainline politics, the Nation of Islam is "again emerging from the political fringes and making a vigorous push into the political arena. With the presidential elections tightening by the day, the group hopes to create 'a third force' that could have an unexpected influence in choosing the next U.S. president." The push comes five years after Nation of Islam's leader Louis Farrakhan's Million Man March, an event that many consider "Farrakhan's finest moment" and is believed to have been a "key step in the Nation's acceptance in the broader black community."

"The group is now trying to convert its increasing respectability into political power by conducting a nationwide voter registration drive and organizing a "Million Family March" on October 19. The highlight of the event, which will occur three weeks before the elections, will be the endorsement of a presidential candidate."