Nation of islam flag.svg

Nation of Islam

By azan

  • 1930

    1930
    The Nation of Islam (NOI) is founded in Detroit, Michigan by Wallace Fard Muhammad, a mysterious figure who claimed to be a prophet of Allah. The organization's early teachings were a mix of Islamic theology, black nationalism, and self-help principles.

  • 1934

    1934
    Elijah Muhammad, a former follower of Wallace Fard Muhammad, becomes the leader of the NOI after Wallace Fard Muhammad disappears. Under Elijah Muhammad's leadership, the NOI grows rapidly, with a message that emphasizes the superiority of black people and the need for self-sufficiency.

  • 1952

    1952
    Malcolm X, a former drug dealer and prisoner, joins the NOI while he was in prison. After his release, he becomes a prominent spokesperson and leader within the organization, and his fiery speeches help to attract many new members to the NOI.

  • 1964

    1964
    Malcolm X leaves the NOI and forms his own organization, the Organization of Afro-American Unity, after he becomes disillusioned with Elijah Muhammad's leadership and the NOI's rigid ideology.

  • 1975

    1975
    Elijah Muhammad dies and his son, Warith Deen Mohammed, becomes the new leader of the NOI. Under his leadership, the NOI undergoes a major transformation, with a move towards orthodox Islam and a rejection of many of the more controversial teachings of Elijah Muhammad.

  • 1978

    1978
    Louis Farrakhan, a former protege of Malcolm X, becomes the leader of the NOI after Warith Deen Mohammed renounces the teachings of his father and reorients the organization towards mainstream Islam. Under Farrakhan's leadership, the NOI returns to many of its earlier teachings, including a focus on black nationalism and self-help.

  • 1995

    1995
    The Million Man March, organized by Louis Farrakhan, draws over a million African American men to Washington D.C. to advocate for social justice and unity. The march is seen as a powerful moment of solidarity and a call for action to address the inequalities faced by black people in the United States.

  • 2010

    2010
    The NOI announces the establishment of its own farm in Georgia, which will be used to grow food and provide job training for members. The farm is seen as a symbol of the NOI's commitment to self-sufficiency and economic empowerment.

  • 2021

    2021
    The NOI faces controversy and criticism after leader Louis Farrakhan makes anti-Semitic and homophobic remarks during a speech. Several prominent figures and organizations, including Twitter, ban Farrakhan and the NOI from their platforms. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between the NOI's message of black empowerment and its history of controversial and divisive rhetoric.