Khadijah Farrakhan- Bio, Family, 7 Facts About Louis Farrakhan’s Wife

Khadijah Farrakhan is a political activist and wife of Loius Farrakhan the leader of the Nation of Islam. She is a prominent promoter of the Nation of Islam in the United States and beyond. As a convert, she has held tightly to her new faith and worked tirelessly to institute the tenets of Islam as practiced by the NOI.

She is deeply into the religious and political grooming of other members, she has been referred to as the First lady of the Nation Of Islam due to her marriage to its leader Loius Farrakhan. Alongside her and her husband, other members of her family hold important positions within the Nation of Islam. The facts about her life Khadijah and her family will give more insight into the NOI.

Biography And Family Of Khadijah Farrakhan

Khadijah Farrakhan was born Betsy Ross in the United States of America but later changed it after she and her husband got converted. After her conversion, she attended Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization class alongside the wife of Malcolm X, Betty Shabazz.

She and Louis Farrakhan, born Louis Eugene Walcot got married in 1953 and were blessed with 9 children. In June 2018, they announced the passing away of their son, Louis Farrakhan Jn.

Not much is known about her early childhood, parents or schools attended and much of what is known about her is with regards to her marriage to Louis Farrakhan.

Her daughter, Donna Farrakhan Muhammad is the second Woman Minister for NOI.

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Other Interesting Facts You Should Know About Her

1.Khadijah Farrakhan And Her Husband Converted Shortly After Marriage

The couple married in 1953 and converted to the Nation of Islam in 1955, two years after their marriage. They upheld their belief such that they became active members that were recruiting others.

2.She Received Her Holy Name In 1985

As is the practice of NOI from inception, members are to change their given ‘white’ names and adopt new ones except if they are African. From the time of its founding in the 1930s under Wallace Fard, new converts and members have continually dropped their given names to mark dissociation from ‘white’ slavery of ‘black’ ancestors.

They used surnames marked by X as a memorial to all those enslaved pending when they get a new name. The changing of name is symbolic of dissociation from white slavery than a religious connotation, simply put it is a political action.

In 1985, Khadijah Farrakhan changed her name from Betsy Ross to Khadijah in conformity to the practice of her new religion.

3.Khadijah, Mother Khadijah and First Lady

She is mostly referred to as mother Khadijah or Firslady due to her marriage to the NoI Leader. It had not always been so till her husband broke away with his own faction away from Wallace Muhammad’s faction.

In 1976, Louis Farrakhan reestablished the nation of Islam and brought in new ideas some of which stemmed more controversies. As the leading figure for the Nation of Islam, his wife has also played key roles within the organization.

Followers designate her Mother Khadijah since she is the mother figure and as the wife of the supreme leader, she is the First lady of NOI.

4.Khadijah Farrakhan and Loius Have Been Married For Almost 70 Years

In September 2020, Louis Farrakhan and Khadijah Farrakhan celebrated the 67th anniversary of their wedding as well as the wedding of their great-granddaughter at Mosque Maryam.

It was a joyous occasion for the couple as it also marked the wedding of their great-granddaughter, Dr. Ruqayyah Farrakhan, and her husband, Jeffrey Muhammad.

5.Balancing Controversies

The NOI has been a controversial movement but even more apparent is its disdain for women pursuing a career or being active publicly.

Women and men are differentiated during their worship with men sitting to the left and women situated to the right. This level of sexism has always featured the actions of the NOI.

The 1995 One Million More March on Washington Mall is another instance of sexism, however, Khadijah holds a place of high esteem within the NOI, can this be balanced or does it reflect the deep disdain for women in NOI, or perhaps can it be seen as another example of the controversial nature of NOI ideology?

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6.Khadijah Farrakhan Was The ‘New’ Nations First Secretary And Treasurer

After Khadijah’s husband embarked on rebuilding a new NOI, they opened up their Chicago home as a study and meeting center.

She became the first secretary and Treasurer in 1977, Khadijah Farrakhan used her managerial skills in running the new responsibilities. As the organization grew, she had more responsibilities. She helped in raising funds, hosting first ladies from African countries as well as addressing women’s meetings like the Women Million March in 1997.

7. Her Husband Was Accused Of Malcolm X Murder

Khadijah Farrakhan’s husband was accused of the murder of former NOI prominent promoter, Malcolm X. It was Malcolm that prompted the conversion of Loius, but later Malcolm condemned the movement when he made startling revelations of hypocrisy on the part of its then-leader, Elijah Muhammad.

Malcolm wanted to leave the movement because of its ideology and perceived hypocrisy.  Elijah Muhammad had fathered many children with his teenage secretaries while he preached against extramarital affairs. Also, he was inclined towards an orthodox Islam.

Loius reacted badly and said a man like Malcolm deserved to die. This statement linked him to the murder of Malcolm X. In a 2000 interview with Malcolm’s daughter Qubilah, he regretted his statement and admitted it might have led to the murder.

Qubila said she didn’t forgive him but hopes he has peace.

The complete profile of Khadjiha Farrakhan