Nation of Islam

Original name of the group popularly known as the Black Muslims, now the title of a 100,000-member splinter group faithful to the Black Muslims' original principles led by Louis Farrakhan. Members strive to improve their social and religious position in society, and the group has won praise for its work in deprived areas, although its reputation has been tarnished by Farrakhan's anti-Semitic and anti-white beliefs. In October 1995 the group demonstrated its political strength by organizing the ‘Million Man March’ – a march of around 400,000 black men in Washington.