In memoriam: Minister Louis Farrakhan’s wife, Khadijah Farrakhan, dies

Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, the wife of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and a longtime pillar of the organization, died June 27 at age 90 after 72 years of marriage. Remembered for her devotion to family, faith and community, she leaves behind a legacy of supporting the Nation of Islam and advocating for the strength and unity of families. The post In memoriam: Minister Louis Farrakhan’s wife, Khadijah Farrakhan, dies appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

In memoriam: Minister Louis Farrakhan’s wife, Khadijah Farrakhan, dies

By Erick Johnson

(Black Press USA Newswire) – Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, the wife of Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, has died, the Nation of Islam announced June 27. She was 90.

In a statement, the Nation of Islam said, “The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan with deep sadness yet with profound gratitude to Allah informs you that his beloved wife of 72 years, the First Lady of the Nation of Islam, Mother Khadijah has returned to Allah (may Allah be pleased).

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, left, from Chicago, Il., walks with his wife, Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, left, as they arrive at the Millions More Movement on the National Mall, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005 in Washington. Thousands of African-American gathered to mark the 10th anniversary of the ?Millions Man March?, and focus on the problems faced by the country’s poor. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

“We thank Allah for the precious life of a loving wife, mother, a faithful devoted follower of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad,” the statement continued. “Mother Khadijah will forever be cherished and remembered. May Allah give His unequaled comfort to the family as we mourn this tremendous loss and lift the family in our prayers and thoughts.

“Allah, there is no God but He, He gives life and to Him is our eventual return. Funeral (Janazah) services will be sent as soon as it’s available.”

Mother Farrakhan and her husband lived in Chicago’s Kenwood neighborhood, less than a mile from the national headquarters of Operation Rainbow PUSH, which was founded by the late Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. Together, the couple for decades led the Nation of Islam at the Mosque Maryam in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood.

Born in 1935, she and Louis Abdul Farrakhan married in 1953. They have nine children. Their eldest son, Louis Farrakhan Jr., died at 60 in 2018. Another son, Joshua Farrakhan, died in 2023. He was 64.

Khadijah converted to Islam in 1955. As Farrakhan rose to become the leader of the Nation of Islam, Khadijah was by his side, serving as a stabilizing force for their family.

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, his wife Khadijah Farrakhan, and their daughter, Maria Farrakhan Mohammad, pose for photographers in front of the Window Rock Navajo Monument, Wednesday, July 19, 2006, in Window Rock, Ariz. Farrakhan was visiting Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. in an effort to improve relations between the Navajo people and African Americans. (AP Photo/Matt York)

According to The Grio, at the 1997 Million Woman March in Philadelphia, Khadijah took the stage after her husband organized the 1995 Million Man March in Washington D.C.

“A nation can rise no higher than its women,” Khadijah said. “We focus on women but cannot lose sight that we must rise as a family — men, women and children.”

This article was originally published by Chicago Crusader.

The post In memoriam: Minister Louis Farrakhan’s wife, Khadijah Farrakhan, dies appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.