By Kevin Aldridge
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Xavier University has pulled the plug on a satellite telecast at the Cintas Center later this month featuring Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan because "his message is perceived by many as divisive," university president Rev. Michael J. Graham said Thursday.

Local representatives from the Nation of Islam had asked to use the Cintas Center to air Farrakhan's annual Savior's Day address on Feb. 23 via satellite.

University officials initially granted permission, but on Wednesday informed Nation of Islam leaders that they had reconsidered. "Xavier University's mission is to build community," Graham said in a statement. "Contrary to this mission, Minister Farrakhan's message is perceived by many as divisive.

"Xavier supports free and open dialogue and embraces a wide array of voices on campus, especially on issues pertaining to diversity and social justice. For Xavier to sponsor such discussion, we believe it is best to do so in the context of a variety of perspectives. This event did not offer that."

James Muhammad, minister of Nation of Islam Mosque No. 5 in Walnut Hills, called Xavier's decision "rude and disappointing." He said more than 500 tickets had been sold and that they were anticipating a sellout.

"We are outraged that the event would be canceled at this late date," Muhammad said. "Xavier claims to be a university that prides itself on being inclusive, but it seems to me that they are being more selective."

Muhammad said the speech, which will be broadcast from the University of Illinois at Chicago, would now be shown at Syrian Temple in Walnut Hills.

E-mail kaldridge@enquirer.com