| Louis Farrakhan Discloses Illness, Compares Himself To Castro |
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| Written by West Brown | |
 Minister Louis Farrakhan has announced that he is gravely ill and has temporarily abdicated his leadership of the Nation of Islam to the executive board, according to the Associated Press.
Asking for solidarity so that the Nation "will live long after I and we have gone," the 73 year-old has taken time to recover from a "serious infection and inflammation," according to a letter he dated September 11 and posted in the Nation's Final Call newspaper. While in Cuba earlier this year, doctors discovered an ulcer in his anal area. He has since lost 35 pounds. In 1998, the leader was diagnosed with prostate cancer before undergoing surgery. Stating that he doesn't feel his "earthly work is done," Farrakhan compared himself to Castro. "While many rejoiced — believing and thinking that if Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution expired they could move Cuba and the Revolution in a new direction — his absence from the helm only proved that Cuba will not fall apart over the absence or passing of their illustrious leader," he wrote. The religious leader has been prominent in the lyrics of many rap groups, including Public Enemy who called him a "prophet" in their classic track "Bring The Noise." |
