Leah Remini responds to Louis Farrakhan's defense of Scientology
On Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, Remini responded directly to statements made by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan during his Saviors’ Day speech back in 2017. Remini herself played a key role in introducing the Nation of Islam to Scientology, even sponsoring NOI members, including West Coast Regional Minister Tony Muhammad. Remini has been an outspoken critic of Scientology since leaving the organization in 2013.
While speaking glowingly about dianetics and Scientology founder, science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, Farrakhan said of Remini, “What I ask Mrs. Remy, or whatever her name is, she’s going in hard. She’s hurt by something.” Farrakhan went on to ask all who have left Scientology, “When you walked away, where did you go? What did you do? How did you gain? And what did you lose?”
On the show, Remini said: “No one’s trying to take Scientology down for reasons that are unwarranted. And once you were in Scientology for a good 35, 45 years, maybe then ask these kinds of questions. And you should ask these types of questions to the families who have been destroyed.”
One of the main focuses of Scientology and the Aftermath throughout its run has been the separation of families due to brainwashing by Scientology, and Remini wanted to let Farrakhan know exactly what kind of hurt the group causes.
“When you go to sleep at night crying because you don’t have your daughter, or your son, or your mom, or your children have never met your grandparents because they believe in Scientology more than family, that’s when you can start questioning people and why and how they have been hurt,” Remini said. “And also, Mr. Farrakhan, the name is Leah Re-mi-ni. Remini.”
Update: Karin Pouw, from The Church of Scientology’s media relations department, reached out and asked us to add the following statement. “The Church of Scientology responded by saying Leah Remini’s program is outrageous and full of lies. See https://www.scientology.tv/series/destination-scientology/inglewood.html for how the Church is working in the African-American community to help people find jobs and working with community leaders in South Central Los Angeles to help end gang violence. It is not what Disney’s A&E wants you to see because A&E is infected with bigotry and hate.”
Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on A&E.
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