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CNN Sunday Morning

Interview with Louis Farrikhan

Aired February 03, 2002 - 11:17   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The wife of an abducted journalist is pleading for his release. Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl has been missing in Pakistan since January 23rd. A letter written by his wife, Marianne, appeared in a Karachi newspaper yesterday. In it, she asked the kidnappers to take the first step toward ending this cycle of suffering.

Mr. Louis Farrikhan, leader of the Nation of Islam has also called for Pearl's release, and Mr. Farrakhan joins us now live from Phoenix. Hi, there.

MINISTER LOUIS FARRAKHAN, NATION OF ISLAM: Good morning.

WHITFIELD: Thanks for joining us. Well Friday in a written statement faxed to CNN, you called for the immediate release of the Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, and I'd like to read part of that statement that was sent to us.

"I urge the immediate release and safe return of Mr. Daniel Pearl. His release may serve the greater good and promote meaningful dialogue with the American people and government. Muslims are known for their compassion and mercy for the human family."

Who exactly are you addressing, as you make this statement?

FARRAKHAN: The problem is we don't know who has Mr. Pearl. The father of this young man contacted me through Mr. Russell and my minister Benjamin Mohammed, and they asked me if I would make a statement that could aid in the release of this young man.

WHITFIELD: So Daniel Pearl's father asked you to get involved. What exactly was that conversation like? What did he ask you to do specifically?

FARRAKHAN: Well, I did not speak directly with Mr. Pearl. As I said, I was contacted through Mr. Russell in New York City, and I thought about it, and I said well, you know, this young man is not a combatant. He's a civilian. He's a journalist, and Islam as a religion is on trial throughout the world.

We live in America. The American people really do not understand the policies of our government that creates hatred for the American people around the world. So as I studied the Quran, and I know that these persons who have taken Mr. Pearl are Muslims, or they claim Islam. Our Holy Book, which is the Quran, says in these words: "Let not hatred of a people incite you to act unjustly."

And if there is hatred for the American Government or for their policies, there is no reason to take an American citizen, no matter where they are in the world and do them harm, simply because you do not like America's policies. This is against Islam. It is not correct, and this is why we urge the immediate release of Mr. Pearl.

WHITFIELD: So you make this verbal appeal, but how do you know whether the captors are actually getting the message?

FARRAKHAN: There's no way for me to know, just like the owners of the Wall Street Journal or the editors have put something over this station, CNN, which is looked at all over the world. All we can say is that we hope that those who have him in captivity will look at CNN and find a way in their heart to follow the dictates of the Quran.

The Quran has in it guidance for every aspect and circumstance of life for a Muslim, right up to the Day of Judgment. Therefore, it guides us in how to treat prisoners of war, and non-combatants.

From what I understand, Mr. Pearl is a journalist, not a combatant. He is an American citizen, and if there is hatred toward America and you snatch an American citizen and then execute him, how does this aid the cause of Islam?

I believe it does not aid the cause of Islam, and it creates more hatred for Muslims, not only in America but in different parts of the world, and this is why we urge the immediate release of Mr. Pearl.

But again, we urge our government, since Mr. Bush says that this is a war against terrorism, and you have captured people who are allegedly terrorists, then give them prisoner of war status and treat them according to the Geneva Conventions as they ought to be treated, and then examine the policies of our government that cause people in different parts of the world to hate Americans.

WHITFIELD: On that statement that was issued that we received, in addition to the prior statement that I read, you also said: "Mr. Daniel Pearl, the journalist, is not a combatant" which you have reverbalized "and should be released. Our religion, Islam, is under trial. The world is watching. To execute or murder this man will increase hatred for Islam and damage the reputation of Muslims throughout the world."

Many people would argue that perhaps this appeal may not be specifically for the release of Daniel Pearl, but more a self-serving effort in order to get publicity perhaps for the Muslim faith, or even the Nation of Islam. What do you say to those critics, who have been quick to respond that way?

FARRAKHAN: You can say anything that you wish to my motivation, but God knows best, you know, why I am moved to ask for Mr. Pearl's release. If you wish to characterize this as self-serving, that is entirely up to you but the Quran, which is my book of guidance, says to me do no favor seeking gain. Whatever I do, I do it for the cause of good and because it is right and it is just for us to do that.

And so, if you say that my motivation is ill, you can not read my heart, but Allah knows my heart and I am happy that he is sufficient for me. So I care not how you characterize my appeal, but I do hope that my brothers in Pakistan, who have taken this young man, will not murder or execute him, but let him return to his family and let us pursue the cause of Islam in a proper way that Allah would be pleased with you in Pakistan and pleased with us in America, and pleased with Muslims throughout the world.

WHITFIELD: So, Mr. Farrikhan at this junction, you verbalized this. You've released a statement. Do you make a trip to Pakistan? Do you have meetings with anyone specifically, or perhaps even one group that had been pointed as possibly the captors of Mr. Pearl?

FARRIKHAN: I know none of these persons.

WHITFIELD: Do you make the trip to Pakistan, though?

FARRIKHAN: I might go to Pakistan, God willing, after our national convention. We will see. If they desire my presence in Pakistan, if my presence in the Muslim world will be advantageous and will help us to come through this time of crisis, my presence wherever it is wanted, I will go, but I will not -

WHITFIELD: If the U.S. Government discourages you from doing so, would you still do that, defy any kind of order coming from the White House?

FARRIKHAN: Well, I don't accept orders from the White House or anywhere else. I'm a free man. I do according to my conscience. I'm not here because I'm ordered to say what I'm saying. I'm ordered by my conscience to ask for this young man's release.

And if my conscience dictates that I should go to Pakistan, or anywhere else in the world to serve the cause of God and the cause of Islam, I will go and I will not necessarily ask for permission from the White House, although my going would be in the interest of justice and peace and it would aid the White House.

WHITFIELD: All right. Mr. Louis Farrakhan, thanks very much for joining us from Phoenix this morning.

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