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Controversial leader Farrakhan visits Navajo Nation

Louis Farrakhan, the controversial leader of the Nation of Islam, visited the Navajo Nation this week.

Farrakhan arrived sometime on Tuesday but his visit was not disclosed publicly. Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. would only say that he came to address economic development and other needs on the reservation.

On Tuesday night, Farrakhan had a private dinner with several Navajo Nation Council delegates at the Navajo Inn in Window Rock, Arizona. The media wasn't allowed inside and wasn't allowed to take pictures, The Gallup Independent said.

On Wednesday, Farrakhan held a series of meetings with Shirley and other leaders. He addressed the council and touched on recent race-related incidents in the border town of Farmington, New Mexico.

"It creates anger among the Navajo people and it should," Farrakhan said, the Associated Press reported. "But why do the border towns look down on us? Why do white people look down on Black America? Is there something we can do to change the ugly picture?"

Shirley said he wasn't all too familiar with Farrakhan's background. Farrakhan has been denounced as sexist, racist and anti-Semitic.

Farrakhan left the reservation on Wednesday.

Get the Story:
Nation of Islam leader visits Navajo Nation (The Farmington Daily Times 7/20)
Farrakhan, Navajos discuss prejudice (AP 7/20)
Farrakhan meets Din (The Gallup Independent 7/19)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org
Navajo Nation Council - http://www.navajonationcouncil.org

Related Stories:
Navajo Nation Council debates border town racism (7/18)
Racial tension in Farmington prompts meetings (6/29)
Farmington Mayor: City sensitive to Navajos (6/29)
Navajo leaders angered by incidents in Farmington (6/26)
Editorial: Race relations improving in Farmington (03/02)
Navajos recall discrimination by local businesses (4/22)