CHICAGO – A Nation of Islam official who serves on a state hate crimes commission said yesterday it’s ridiculous that she has been condemned for remarks made by the religious movement’s leader, Minister Louis Farrakhan.

Sister Claudette Marie Muhammad’s comments were her first since four members of the Governor’s Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes resigned last week rather than serve with her.

“For those who try to condemn me because of the honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s remarks,” she said on WVON-AM, “it’s ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.”

Governor Rod Blagojevich’s appointment of Ms. Muhammad to the commission in August drew no public attention until she invited commissioners to attend a speech given by Mr. Farrakhan, who is known for his disparaging remarks about Jews, whites, and gays.

Some commissioners began criticizing her presence on the panel after Mr. Farrakhan’s speech February 26 in Chicago that included references to “Hollywood Jews” promoting homosexuality and “other filth.”

Ms. Muhammad said yesterday she and her family have been victims of hate crimes and discrimination, and that she has Jewish family members, has traveled to Israel and has worshipped in synagogues.

“Please know I am not the victimizer here, OK, but instead I am the victim,” she said. She refused to repudiate Mr. Farrakhan and recommended that people who disagree with him, speak with him.

Three Jewish commission members resigned last week, saying her support for Mr. Farrakhan contradicts the panel’s goals. They called on her to repudiate Mr. Farrakhan’s remarks. A state lawmaker whom Mr. Blagojevich appointed to fill one of the vacancies also resigned Friday.

The Democratic governor said Monday that Ms. Muhammad is not responsible for any racist remarks Mr. Farrakhan has made. He has said he didn’t realize he had appointed a Nation of Islam official until learning about it from news reports.