Minister Louis Farrakhan
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONORABLE ELIJAH MUHAMMAD AND THE NATION OF ISLAM

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL.

Statement from the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan
on the passing of Dick Gregory

August 21, 2017

I, my wife and family and the members of the Nation of Islam, past and present, mourn the loss of our brother Dick Gregory, a brilliant social critic, satirist and soldier in the Cause of Freedom, Justice and Equality.

Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to his family and to all whose lives he touched.

I was blessed to talk to him just before he made his transition. He was a great, great soul. Any of you who know anything about Dick Gregory, you know that we lost a great one. He’s gone, but he’s still here in all of us that he taught and shared his wisdom with. He’s here with us. We must honor him by continuing the work he sacrificed for and devoted his life to. His was not only a man of great humor, but a man of great intellect and great wisdom. While he often made us laugh, he was making us to think and learn at the same time.

As we were organizing the Million Man March, and a clamor arose, Brother Gregory was right there. He stood strong on behalf of an effort aimed at saving and serving our people. He was a fighter and a Servant of Our People.

There is a verse from the Bible and a verse from the Holy Qur’an that come to mind at his passing from this earthly plane. In the Bible in the Parable of the Talents, Matthew, 25:23, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!”

The Holy Qur’an, 2:154, says, “And speak not of those who are slain in God’s way as dead. Nay, (they are) alive, but you perceive not.”

We will deposit the remains of our dear brother, Dick Gregory, in the earth as we must. But his work on behalf of those deprived of the essentials of life will never be forgotten and his contribution to our struggle will live long amongst us.

May Allah (God) grant him the Paradise that we believe he justly deserves. May Allah’s mercy be with his family and with us.

Your brother and servant,