Farrakhan

April 4, 1999
Web posted at: 12:49 a.m. EST (0549 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Washington Post quoted hospital sources in its Sunday editions as saying that Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan's condition has improved and he could be released early this week.

The sources said Farrakhan was an "emergency" case when he first arrived at the hospital Tuesday evening but is not in immediately life-threatening condition now.

The Post also quoted Leonard Muhammad, chief of staff to Farrakhan, as saying that Farrakhan's prognosis was "excellent" and he was planning to proceed with a major national tour to prepare for another "Million Man March".

Supporters of Farrakhan prayed at a south Chicago church Saturday amid reports that he could be released from the hospital this week after surgery to treat his prostate cancer.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, who led the prayer vigil, gave an upbeat account of Farrakhan's condition and said news reports to the contrary were the work of "ghoul-squads".

"There are rumors all over the place. He went to Washington, he was in intense pain, apparently, and had surgery and surgery is always serious," Jackson told CLTV.

He said the doctor who performed the surgery had said it was successful. "He (Farrakhan) is communicating with his son and is lucid today," Jackson added.

Officials at Washington's Howard University Hospital again declined Saturday to comment on Farrakhan's condition, confirming only that he remained in the hospital.

Nation of Islam officials could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Farrakhan has been one of the United States' most controversial black leaders, condemning Jews and calling the pope an "Antichrist." He once described Hitler as a "wickedly great" man.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.