The Nation of Islam is a religious and social/political
organization founded in Detroit, Michigan by Wallace Fard Muhammad
in July 1930 with the self-proclaimed goal of resurrecting the
Spiritual, mental, social, economic condition of the black men and
women of America. The Nation of Islam believes to be both the
long-awaited "Messiah" of Christianity and the Mahdi of some
sections of Islam. One of Fard's first disciples was Elijah
Muhammad (1897-1975).
NOI also promotes the belief that God will bring about a
universal government of peace. From 1978 to the present, Louis
Farrakhan has been the leader of a reconstituted Nation of Islam,
the original organization having been renamed and dissolved by
Warith Deen Muhammad. The Nation of Islam's National Center and
headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois, and is also home to
its flagship Mosque No. 2, Mosque Maryam, in dedication to Mary,
Mother of Jesus.
