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Louis Farrakhan reveals illness Louis Farrakhan reveals illness
(40 minutes later)
The leader of the American Muslim organisation Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, says he is seriously ill.The leader of the American Muslim organisation Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, says he is seriously ill.
In an open letter to members, the 73-year-old said he was suffering pain like that he felt in 1998 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. In an open letter to members, the 73-year-old said he was suffering pain like that he had felt in 1998 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
He requested that his followers carry on with his movement after his death.He requested that his followers carry on with his movement after his death.
He supports African-Americans having their own nation and is regarded as one of the most controversial and charismatic African-Americans alive.He supports African-Americans having their own nation and is regarded as one of the most controversial and charismatic African-Americans alive.
He has also been accused of being an anti-Semite.He has also been accused of being an anti-Semite.
He revealed his health problems in a letter on Friday to Nation of Islam members in its newspaper, the Final Call, in which he compared his health problems to those of Fidel Castro.He revealed his health problems in a letter on Friday to Nation of Islam members in its newspaper, the Final Call, in which he compared his health problems to those of Fidel Castro.
'Period of testing'
The letter, also published on Nation of Islam's website, goes into graphic detail about his fight against "serious pain".
He announces that he is "postponing indefinitely all engagements, meetings and appointments".
"In this period of testing, you can prove to the world that the Nation of Islam is more than the charisma, eloquence and personality of Louis Farrakhan," he said."In this period of testing, you can prove to the world that the Nation of Islam is more than the charisma, eloquence and personality of Louis Farrakhan," he said.
Lawrence Mamiya, a professor of religion and Africana studies at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, said that Mr Farrakhan's death could strain the organisation. Lawrence Mamiya, a professor of religion and Africana studies at Vassar College, in Poughkeepsie, New York, said that Mr Farrakhan's death could strain the organisation.
"Through [its] history, the death of a leader has meant a number of divisions," he told The Associated Press."Through [its] history, the death of a leader has meant a number of divisions," he told The Associated Press.
"Whether members of the Nation will follow aboard is up for grabs." Louis Farrakhan has inspired strong feelings as leader of Nation of Islam. What do you think the implications of his poor health are for the organisation? Send us your comments using the form below.
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