Saturday, January 24, 2009
Farrakhan visits Kilpatrick
Friends say Nation of Islam head is one of many spiritual counselors who have met with ex-mayor.
George Hunter and David Josar / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- Supporters of ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick warn not to read too much into a jailhouse visit by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who met with the former mayor Thursday.

WWJ (950 AM) reported it has received a copy of Thursday's Wayne County Jail visitor log that shows Kilpatrick was visited by Farrakhan; his son, Wallace D. Farrakhan; and Minister Rasul Muhammad of the Detroit Nation of Islam chapter. The log is not available to the public.

Malik Shabazz, a longtime confidant of the Kilpatrick family, said a relative of the mayor, whom he declined to identify, confirmed Farrakhan visited the ex-mayor.

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The 5:10 p.m. visit was listed as a "Professional Visit," not a personal visit, the station reported. The national and Detroit chapters of the Nation of Islam could not be reached Friday for comment.

"Having Minister Farrakhan visit is like having the pope come by," Shabazz said.

Shabazz said he did not know if Kilpatrick was considering a conversion but that "he has become more spiritual."

"I know he's reading the Bible every day," Shabazz said.

Adolph Mongo, a former political adviser to Kilpatrick, said Farrakhan is one of several religious leaders to meet with Kilpatrick.

Mongo, who said he has spoken to his former client "a couple times" on the telephone since Kilpatrick was incarcerated Oct. 28, downplayed rumors that the former mayor had converted to Islam.

"(Kilpatrick) has had a relationship with the minister in the past," Mongo said, "and I think it's appropriate that the minister came to see him."

When Kilpatrick's legal troubles began last year, "Mr. Farrakhan talked with the mayor, and gave him advice," he said.

Mongo said several "religious leaders" have visited Kilpatrick. "There have been ministers from the Church of God in Christ, some from the Methodist Church," Mongo said. "He's been getting a lot of spiritual counseling from a lot of different sources, and I think he needed it to get him through this. Four months in isolation is a long time; it can make or break you."

Kilpatrick is expected to be released from jail Feb. 3 after serving a 120-day sentence, with time credited for good behavior. Kilpatrick pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice after text messages showed he lied in court during a police whistle-blower lawsuit.

Rumors were spurred that Kilpatrick may convert when several Nation of Islam members accompanied and sat with his wife, Carlita, when he was sentenced.

But Mongo said the rumors aren't true.

"He wouldn't turn his back on his religion after only four months," he said.

After the text message scandal broke in January 2008, Kilpatrick made a televised apology speech from his church, the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ.

Wayne County Sheriff's spokesman John Roach would not comment on the reported visit by Farrakhan.

"It's our policy not to release the names of private citizens who visit inmates at the jail," Roach said.

The Detroit News sent a request under the Freedom of Information Act for a list of Kilpatrick's visitors. County officials released the list in December; all the names were blacked out.

You can reach George Hunter at (313) 222-2134 or ghunter@detnews.com.
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