Farrakhan ill, but not near death, say advisers

March 19, 1999
Web posted at: 7:14 p.m. EST (0014 GMT)

CHICAGO (CNN) -- Nation of Islam staff members Friday said that 65-year-old leader Louis Farrakhan is "full of life", and rejected reports that he is "gravely ill."

"He is in fine spirit, his face is beaming, said Dr. Abdul Alim Muhammad, Farrakhan's personal physician. "He is full of energy."

"There is no death vigil. This is no death watch. The minister's life is not in imminent danger from any medical condition," he added.

Farrakhan's current condition, said Muhammad, stems from complications from implant therapy for prostate cancer, which he has been battling since 1991. It worsened after he developed the flu late last year, but Muhammed said the cancer is now "completely controlled."

As a result of his treatment, Farrakhan also has an inflammation of the lower colon, a known complication of this (radiation) therapy." Muhammed said. "Every single person who receives (this type of treatment) develops ... this inflammation in the lower rectal area."

The side effect, which the doctor said was expected, "can produce pain, spasm, diarrhea (and) occasionally a little blood. It is expected that it will take as long as 18 to 24 months for that area of local inflammation to completely heal."

RELATED AUDIO Listen to the doctor discuss Farrakhan's health 249K/10 sec. AIFF or WAV sound

Muhammad, Farrakhan's personal physician for the last eight years, said the minister will take a sabbatical for four months for rest and recovery.

Farrakhan was not at the news conference. The Muslim group's leaders, citing security concerns, declined to disclose his location beyond saying that he is not hospitalized.

Newspaper article, speech stir fears

According to the March 10 edition of "The Final Call," the Muslim group's newspaper, Farrakhan has been "struggling to overcome the forces of death."

It quoted Farrakhan as saying the illness "took me down so fast, that it concerned me greatly because, though I'm nearing 66, I have never been sick like this in my life."

In a February 28 speech, Farrakhan said, "If it is a virus, several doctors that were working on me have not found that."

Despite his condition, the controversial leader spoke for more than three hours.

Advisers admit the author of the article, long-time friend Minister Jabril Muhammad, may have overstated Farrakhan's condition.

"Some of our grandmas would have said the same thing -- 'I ain't never seen him this sick, this is the worst we've ever seen' -- so I think we should take it in that light," said Nation of Islam Chief of Staff Leonard Muhammad.

Rev. Jesse Jackson released a statement after talking with Farrakhan by telephone.

"I talked with Minister Farrakhan and his voice was vibrant and strong," Jackson said. "He indicated that he had indeed lost 20 pounds rather quickly and it had indeed caused people throughout the world some concern. But I am glad to say that thanks to God he is now on the mend again."

Over the years Farrakhan has had bitter words for Jews, whites, Catholics, women and homosexuals. He once called Judaism a "gutter religion" and said Adolf Hitler was a wickedly great man.

But his successful organization of the Million Man March on Washington -- a peaceful demonstration that drew hundreds of thousands of black men to the capital to show commitment and responsibility in life -- won him new respect, and his speeches in recent years have carried less venom.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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