Farrakhan Rally Set After N.Y. Vote

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan opted Saturday to delay his Yankee Stadium rally until after the Nov. 2 election, clearing a potential obstacle from the reelection hopes of Mayor David N. Dinkins.

But Leonard H. Muhammad, chief of staff for the Nation of Islam, denied that there was any political motivation in the decision to postpone the planned Oct. 30 gathering.

“This should not be used in a political way,” Muhammad said. “Our interest in coming to New York is not to see who the mayor should be. We have a national and international agenda.”

Dinkins’ supporters were afraid that Farrakhan’s appearance two days before the mayor’s hotly contested race against Republican challenger Rudolph W. Giuliani could cost the Democratic incumbent important votes among Jewish residents. Farrakhan has been accused in the past of making anti-Semitic statements.

The postponement came after a meeting between Nation of Islam representatives and local black leaders. No one from the mayor’s office was involved in the decision, Muhammad said.