Moorish Science Temple of America

Noble Drew Ali is in the front row center. The Moorish Science Temple of America is a so-called negro, so-called Black, or so-called African American religious organization founded in the early 20th-century giving each one of its adherents the title, Moslem (with an o and an e in its spelling instead of using u and i in Muslim) in Islam . They consider Islamism as their official religion. They hold equal influences and honor the prophets in Buddhism , Taoism , Confuscianism , Christianity , Gnosticism and Freemasonry . Its primary tenet is the belief that Moorish-American Moslems descended from the Moors and thus, they were originally Islamic . Elements of major traditions combined within the organization to develop a message of personal transformation, racial pride and uplift. Founded in Newark , New Jersey in 1913 by the Prophet Noble Drew Ali (born Timothy Drew), the Moorish Science Temple blossomed in Chicago and other major cities during the late 1920s. The Moorish-American (so-called African-American, so-called negro, or so-called Black) population and culture of the North and Midwestern United States had been increasing rapidly since World War I , as a result of the Great Migration from the South . Its creation can be seen as part of the era's search for identity as African Americans sought to establish themselves in new regions of the United States at a time when racial discrimination and segregation were severe. As in Protestantism , competing factions developed, especially after the death of charismatic founder Noble Drew Ali, whose disciples included Wallace Fard Muhammad , founder of the Nation of Islam , and Elijah Muhammad , who was Fard's successor and who later employed Malcolm X as a speaker of the Nation. Members followed various leaders into different groups, but the main body of the Moorish Science Temple continued. In the 1930s membership was estimated at 30,000, with one third of them in Chicago. The founding of the Nation of Islam also created competition for members. The Moors continued to increase members in the postwar years, but at a slower rate. By the late 20th century, demographic and cultural changes had decreased the attraction of young people to the Moorish Science Temple. In the early 2000s, it is estimated that there may be 800 Moorish Americans in four major cities. The organization states it has 260 temples and approximately one million members nationwide.

Noble Drew Ali is in the front row center. The Moorish Science Temple of America is an American religious organization founded in the early 20th century by Timothy Drew. He based it on the belief that African Americans had descended from the Moors and thus were originally Islamic . Drew put together elements of major traditions to develop a message of personal transformation, racial pride and uplift. It also intended to provide African Americans with a sense of identity in the Western Hemisphere and promote civic involvement. One primary tenet of the Moorish Science Temple is the belief that African-Americans are of Moorish ancestry, specifically from Morocco; in their religious texts, adherents refer to themselves as "Asiatics". An adherent of this movement is known as a Moorish-American Moslem and are called "Moorish Scientists" in some circles. The Moorish Science Temple of America was incorporated under the Illinois Religious Corporation Act 805 ILCS 110. Timothy Drew, known to its members as Prophet Noble Drew Ali, founded the Moorish Science Temple of America in 1913 in Newark, New Jersey . After some difficulties, Drew Ali moved to Chicago , establishing a center there as well as temples in other major cities, where it expanded rapidly during the late 1920s. The quick expansion of the Moorish Science Temple arose in large part from the search for identity and context among black Americans. Competing factions developed among the congregations and leaders, especially after the death of the charismatic Noble Drew Ali, and led to at least three separate organizations. The founding of the Nation of Islam by Wallace Fard Muhammad also created competition for members. In the 1930s membership was estimated at 30,000, with one third in Chicago. During the postwar years, the Moorish Science Temple of America continued to increase in membership, albeit at a slower rate. By the late 20th century, demographic and cultural changes had decreased the attraction of young people to the Moorish Science Temple of America. In the early 2000s, it is estimated that presently there may be 800 adherents in four major cities, although the organization itself states it has 260 temples nationwide. The Holy Koran of the Moorish Science Temple of America Chapter XXV - "A Holy Covenant of the Asiatic Nation" Turner, pg. 93. Catholic Conference of Kentucky .

American national and religious organization Attendees of the 1928 Moorish Science Temple Of America Convention in Chicago. Noble Drew Ali is in white in the front row center. The Moorish Science Temple of America is an American national and religious organization founded by Noble Drew Ali . He based it on the premise that African Americans are descendants of the Moabites and thus are " Moorish " (sometimes also spelled "Muurish" by adherents) by nationality, and Islamic by faith. Ali put together elements of major traditions to develop a message of personal transformation through historical education, racial pride and spiritual uplift. His doctrine was also intended to provide African Americans with a sense of identity in the world and to promote civic involvement. One primary tenet of the Moorish Science Temple is the belief that African Americans are of "Moorish" descent, specifically from the "Moroccan Empire". According to Ali, this area included other countries that today surround Morocco. To join the movement, individuals had to proclaim their "Moorish nationality". They were given "nationality cards". In religious texts, adherents refer to themselves racially as "Asiatics", as the Middle East is also western Asia. Adherents of this movement are known as "Moorish-American Moslems" and are called "Moorish Scientists" in some circles. The Moorish Science Temple of America was incorporated under the Illinois Religious Corporation Act 805 ILCS 110. Timothy Drew, known to its members as Prophet Noble Drew Ali, founded the Moorish Science Temple of America in 1913 in Newark, New Jersey , a booming industrial city. After some difficulties, Ali moved to Chicago , establishing a center there, as well as temples in other major cities. The movement expanded rapidly during the late 1920s. The quick expansion of the Moorish Science Temple arose in large part from the search for identity and context among black Americans at the time of the Great Migration to northern and midwestern cities, as they were becoming an urbanized people. Competing factions developed among the congregations and leaders, especially after the death of the charismatic Ali. Three independent organizations developed from this ferment. The founding of the Nation of Islam by Wallace Fard Muhammad in 1930 also created competition for members. In the 1930s membership was estimated at 30,000, with one third in Chicago. During the postwar years, the Moorish Science Temple of America continued to increase in membership, albeit at a slower rate.

American national and religious organization Attendees of the 1928 Moorish Science Temple Of America Convention in Chicago. Noble Drew Ali is in white in the front row center. The Moorish Science Temple of America is an American national and religious organization founded by Noble Drew Ali (born as Timothy Drew) in the early 20th century. He based it on the premise that African Americans are descendants of the Moabites and thus are " Moorish " (sometimes also spelled "Muurish" by adherents) by nationality, and Islamic by faith. Ali put together elements of major traditions to develop a message of personal transformation through historical education, racial pride, and spiritual uplift. His doctrine was also intended to provide African Americans with a sense of identity in the world and to promote civic involvement. An organization with headquarters in Baltimore , Maryland , claiming to be "the ONLY Moorish Science Temple teaching the full National side of the Moorish Movement", is the Moorish Science Temple , with registered business names of the Divine and National Movement of North America, Inc. , and Moorish American National Republic . One primary tenet of the Moorish Science Temple is the belief that African Americans are of "Moorish" descent, specifically from the "Moroccan Empire". According to Ali, this area included other countries that today surround Morocco. To join the movement, individuals had to proclaim their "Moorish nationality". They were given "nationality cards". In religious texts, adherents refer to themselves racially as "Asiatics", as the Middle East is also western Asia. Adherents of this movement are known as "Moorish-American Moslems" and are called "Moorish Scientists" in some circles. The Moorish Science Temple of America was incorporated under the Illinois Religious Corporation Act 805 ILCS 110. Timothy Drew, known to its members as Prophet Noble Drew Ali, founded the Moorish Science Temple of America in 1913 in Newark, New Jersey , a booming industrial city. After some difficulties, Ali moved to Chicago , establishing a center there, as well as temples in other major cities. The movement expanded rapidly during the late 1920s. The quick expansion of the Moorish Science Temple arose in large part from the search for identity and context among black Americans at the time of the Great Migration to northern cities, as they were becoming an urbanized people. Competing factions developed among the congregations and leaders, especially after the death of the charismatic Ali. Three independent organizations developed from this ferment. The founding of the Nation of Islam by Wallace Fard Muhammad in 1930 also created competition for members. In the 1930s membership was estimated at 30,000, with one third in Chicago. During the postwar years, the Moorish Science Temple of America continued to increase in membership, albeit at a slower rate.

American national and religious organization The Moorish Science Temple of America is an American national and religious organization founded by Noble Drew Ali (born as Timothy Drew) in the early 20th century. He based it on the premise that African Americans are descendants of the Moabites and thus are " Moorish " by nationality, and Islamic by faith. Ali put together elements of major traditions to develop a message of personal transformation through historical education, racial pride, and spiritual uplift. His doctrine was also intended to provide African Americans with a sense of identity in the world and to promote civic involvement. One primary tenet of the Moorish Science Temple is the belief that African Americans are of "Moorish" descent, specifically from the "Moroccan Empire". According to Ali, this area included other countries around Northwest Africa. To join the movement, individuals had to proclaim their "Moorish nationality". They were given "nationality cards". In religious texts, adherents refer to themselves racially as "Asiatics," as the Middle East is also Western Asia. Adherents of this movement are known as "Moorish-American Moslems" and are called "Moorish Scientists" in some circles. The Moorish Science Temple of America was incorporated under the Illinois Religious Corporation Act 805 ILCS 110. Timothy Drew, known to its members as Prophet Noble Drew Ali, founded the Moorish Science Temple of America in 1913 in Newark, New Jersey , a booming industrial city. After some difficulties, Ali moved to Chicago , establishing a center there, as well as temples in other major cities. The movement expanded rapidly during the late 1920s. The quick expansion of the Moorish Science Temple arose in large part from the search for identity and context among black Americans at the time of the Great Migration to northern cities, as they were becoming an urbanized people. Competing factions developed among the congregations and leaders, especially after the death of the charismatic Ali. Three independent organizations developed from this ferment. The founding of the Nation of Islam by Wallace Fard Muhammad in 1930 also created competition for members. In the 1930s, membership was estimated at 30,000, with one-third in Chicago. During the postwar years, the Moorish Science Temple of America continued to increase in membership, albeit at a slower rate.