February 23, 2007 @ 12:01 pm

Minister Farrakhan Delivers Historic Speech Sunday in Detroit

Julianne Shepherd

The Minister will deliver a message of dialogue between faiths, races, religions and culture

Minister Louis Farrakhan will deliver a speech in Detroit Sunday promoting interfaith dialogue, and the importance of discussion between all races, religions, and cultures. Over 75,000 people are expected to attend. He will be honored by special salutes and supported by a host of co-chairs, including Russell Simmons, Jermaine Dupri, Diddy, Magic Johnson, Reverend Run, Damon Dash, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick, Steve Harvey, Susan Taylor, Londell McMillan, Cathy Hughes, Michael Eric Dyson and Reginald Hudlin. Scheduled attendees include Attendees include Common, Erykah Badu, Dr. Benjamin Chavis Muhammad, Reverend Al Sharpton, Chuck D, Jim Jones, RZA, Will.I.Am, Doug E. Fresh, Black Ice, Cappadonna, Brother Jeff Johnson (BET) and more. Farrakhan, who underwent a major surgery one month ago, said the event is partly in gratitude for his recovery. "For those of you who prayed for my recovery, words are not adequate to express my deep, deep sense of personal gratitude," he said in a statement. "How then could I come through this illness and this horrific operation, and not thank God for a message that would be universal in its scope, and universal in its power to heal the human condition.” A press release said the speech "may be his last public address." Russell Simmons jointly issued a statement with Rabbi Marc Schneier of the Foundation of Ethnic Understanding in support of the Interfaith Dialogue in Detroit tomorrow. Rabbi Marc Schneier stated, “The Interfaith Dialogue scheduled tomorrow in Detroit between Islamic, Jewish and Christian leaders has my personal support. I have had a prior meeting with Minister Louis Farrakhan and I know firsthand the importance of maintaining constructive dialogue among the three monotheistic, Abrahamaic faiths.” Both Jim Jones and Paul Wall have made statements in support of Sunday's event. "I encourage everybody to be in Detroit because the Minister has shown diligence and commitment on behalf of our people for years,” said Jim Jones of the Diplomats. “This man is astronomical and always keeps it real. Meeting him was one of the top five experiences in my life." Paul Wall, who cannot be in attendence because of a scheduled performance in Iraq, said, "He has had a positive impact on my life and when there is a leader like the Minister in our midst, we must support him." The speech will occur at the Ford Field in Detroit. Doors open at noon, with the pre-program beginning at 1 pm and the main address is at 2:00. BET will cover the event.

Article tags: Minister, Farrakhan, Delivers, Historic, Speech, Sunday, Detroit 

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