Vodou And The Nation Of Islam

Most people would agree that the religions of Vodou and The Nation of Islam make strange partners. Recently The Final Call, the media outlet for The Nation Of Islam reported that in May, Minster Louis Farrakhan sent a delegation to the island nation of Haiti.

There the delegates, including Joseph Makhandal, Patrick Muhammad, and others,  met with the newly elected Vodou Ati, or supreme leader of Vodou, Joseph Fritzner Comas. It was a humanitarian mission, and both sides got to experience some of the others ways. The Final Call Reports:

Mr. Comas, with his procession, performed a short voodoo ritual ceremony with the use of three drops of water to formally welcome the N.O.I. delegation. His speech is loosely translated in the following:

“Water is life. Without water there is no life. When we came from Africa, our ancestors told us to respect the earth, to respect the environment and to respect human beings. And in today’s life, it appears as if there is no respect for human beings and no respect for the environment. What is happening is that we are being destroyed because this here (while he turns to face his procession) is what voodoo is. Voodoo is love. Voodoo is respect. And being that we are a people who are suffering, they do not respect our faith.

But, my brothers, voodoo allowed me today to pour three drops of water for you all to welcome you home. May our voices be heard for all that we are going to do in this country. And may we go beyond Haiti so that our ancestors may know that we are still thinking about them and that we believe in One Creator. Even though we are divided, we are all one. In this manner I welcome you all.”