In his address to more than 1,000 followers, Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan said Americans can expect a "new beginning" when Barack Obama officially takes over the White House.

The 90-minute address - called "America's New Beginning: President-elect Barack Obama" - was delivered on Sunday at Mosque Maryam, on Chicago city's South Side.

Saying that the new President-elect has a God-given capacity to handle any burdens he will face as the nation's leader, Farrakhan, 75, added that Obama needs help from "God and people of goodwill." He urged followers of the Chicago-based Black Nationalist movement to play their part in extending help to Obama.

Farrakhan said: "President-elect Obama has energized all segments of the depressed, downtrodden, rejected and despised. Now it is up to us to take the new energy that he has given us ... and channel that energy into making ourselves better." He added Obama draws a "oneness of spirit" from all people.

Admitting he stayed quiet about his support for Obama during the past few months out of fear his words would harm the Illinois senator's bid for the White House, Farrakhan said: "For nine months, I kept quiet because I saw that the good words that I spoke about this beautiful young man at our Saviours' Day convention and the way they were misused."

Farrakhan thanked black leaders including the Revs Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, for laying the foundation for Obama's victory, which he termed as 'Divine'.