[Source: FinalCall.com]
TEHRAN, Iran—The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and a Nation of Islam delegation made a special trip to the Islamic Republic of Iran as the Muslim nation celebrated the 37th anniversary of its revolution amid the end of U.S. sanctions and plans for a late February election.
The Minister was invited to Iran by the Coordinating Council For Islamic Publicity, a non-governmental organization, and as a special guest at Iran’s freedom anniversary on Feb. 11. Min. Farrakhan attended but did not speak at the celebration. He was warmly received at the gathering and participated in private meetings. One session included a dialogue with former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, who now heads the Center for Strategic Research and remains an advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and an important figure in Iran.
The Minister was also an honored guest at a symposium, the “International Seminar of Foreign Guests On the 37th Anniversary of Victory of the Great Islamic Revolution of Iran,” where presenters laid out the importance of the Iranian revolution, its history and its place in history.
Some presenters expressed pride that the Muslim state exists despite nearly four decades of opposition from the United States and a tense relationship with Saudi Arabia, a major U.S. ally in the region.
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In two separate meetings with the press, one following the meeting with Mr. Velayati and the other hours before leaving the country, Min. Farrakhan saluted the Iranian revolution and its accomplishments despite opposition. The delegation departed for Iran on Feb. 6 and returned Feb. 14.
A press conference that was planned for a few journalists became a full room with a bouquet of microphones in front of the Minister and a bank of cameras in the back or the room and other cameras in the aisles. The journalists who attended included a leading group of young Iranian newsmen, an anchor for the country’s English-language PressTV network, as well as important regional news outlets based in Iran. Among the languages into which the Minister’s words were reported were English, Farsi, Arabic, French and Urdu. The reporters, editors and videographers represented Iranian outlets, Pan-Arab news sources and agencies reporting to Azerbaijan, Syria, Palestine, India, Afghanistan.
Min. Farrakhan called for the two major Middle East powers, Iran and Saudi Arabia, and the Muslim World to find the path to unity.
Mustapha Farrakhan, son of Min. Farrakhan and student Supreme Captain of the Fruit of Islam, and Min. Farrakhan were seated as honored guests with former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati during a symposium on the Iranian Revolution in Tehran. Photos: Richard B. Muhammad
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The Minister called the visit “a great honor and privilege for us to be here in Iran to celebrate with you the 37th anniversary of this great revolution that brought Islam back to Iran in a manner that makes it an example for all Muslims throughout the world.” The meetings with Mr. Velayati and others were an opportunity to share with Muslims in Iran the Nation of Islam’s work in the United States, the Caribbean, Central and South America and Africa and to discuss ways to increase American understanding of Iran.
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“Whenever America wants to destroy a nation, a people, they must first demonize them and the Zionist controlled media in America has chosen to demonize Iran,” said Min. Farrakhan.
“Not because Iran is a demon but the demon is the demonizer.”
He explained how Blacks were made slaves and Christians but members of the Nation have chosen to become Muslims and retain close ties with family members, friends and others who are Christian.
“We are trying to make as many of our people Muslims by Allah’s help. It started first with Black people because the Blacks are the most oppressed, along with the indigenous Native Americans called Indians. And we are uniting with our Indian family, our native family, our Mexican and Latino family and we are doing all whatever we can to spread the word of Allah among them,” he explained.
