noi.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       Contact: Rufus Cook
Aug. 29, 1996                                    (312) 947-9777

Nation of Islam statement on Treasury Department Ruling

[The Nation of Islam released the following statement today in response to the Treasury Department decision regarding two applications with the federal agency.]

CHICAGO--On August 21, 1996 two applications were filed on behalf of Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam with the U.S. Treasury Department. The first application sought authorization to accept an award of $250,000 to Minister Farrakhan in conjunction with his receipt of the Gadhafi Prize for Human Rights, a prize previously awarded, among others, to Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa, to Ahmed Ben Bella, former President of Algeria, and to the Native Americans of the United States. The second application sought approval of an absolute and unconditional gift of one billion dollars from Libya to the Minister and the Nation of Islam, which the Minister and the Nation undertook to use for the benefit of Blacks -Muslim and non-Muslim alike- throughout the United States.

We note with profound regret that the Treasury Department has chosen today to reject both applications. There is no basis in law or common sense for this action. It furthers no rational policy and indeed undermines the stated policy of this country. It is an action taken in callous disregard of the needs and hopes of Black people, at a time when their needs are dire and their hopes under assault. Further, this action raises fundamental constitutional and other issues, which will be brought before the courts and the people as expeditiously as possible.