While saying that he “loves my homosexual brothers and sisters,” he said they are disobeying prohibitions set out in the Bible and the Quran. “Now you want to change God’s ways so God doesn’t know what he’s doing.”

He also addressed an audience largely absent from the event: white America.

“What have I done that you could hate me so?” he said.

He then answered his own question with harsh words that had the arena on its feet: “You can’t buy me, and you can’t make me into your n-----.”

Farrakhan’s audience was largely local but drew African-Americans from across the country – old and young, Muslim and Christian, dark suits and elegant dresses, sweatshirts and jeans. Ticket prices ranged from $20 to $100. Security was tight, and male reporters were vigorously frisked.

He was backed on stage by family members, out-of-town African-American Muslim leaders and several of Charlotte’s prominent black religious and political figures, including NAACP President Kojo Nantambu, the Rev. Dwayne Walker, pastor of Little Rock AME Zion Church, and Mecklenburg County Commissioner Vilma Leake.

During his weekend visit, he spoke to students at Johnson C. Smith University and taught a leadership seminar at Walker’s church. He said he had been treated well by the city, and “Charlotte could be our second home.”

Farrakhan, wearing a tan suit, showed no signs of his age (he turns 80 next May). His voice ranged from a rasp to a roar. He frequently pounded his podium, and while his topics veered from politics to race to international affairs, his words at times brought thunderous responses.

He said the U.S. “war on terrorism” had morphed into a “war on Islam” that had left the Middle East more unstable than ever. He also criticized Muslims who subjugate women. “Educate your women,” he said. “Allah is not pleased.”

He spoke of rising tide of diversity that America must embrace or “you will die. But you won’t take us down with you.”