Moorish Science Temple of America

The Moorish Science Temple of America is a religion largely based on Christianity with significant borrowings from the Islamic faith. It was founded by Noble Drew Ali in 1913, with the first temple established in Newark, New Jersey. "The Holy Koran of The Moorish Science Temple," which Ali published in 1927, combined the Koran, the Bible, Marcus Garvey's and his own ideologies.

Noble Drew Ali, born Timothy Drew in 1886 in North Carolina, was among the first individuals to introduce Islam to African Americans through the Moorish Science Temple. Ali's followers believed he had been ordained a prophet by Allah. Ali's central teaching was that all black people were of Moorish (i.e. African) and thus Muslim origins. He advocated a "return" to Islam as the only means of redemption from racial oppression.

The movement expanded rapidly between 1925 and 1929; it is estimated that there were thirty thousand members nationwide at its peak. Temples were established in Harlem, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and several Southern cities. As the sect expanded, a power struggle erupted between Ali and some of his followers. Following his death in 1929, the movement split into factions. One of the members, W.D. Fard, claimed to embody Ali's reincarnated spirit, and formed the beginnings of the Nation of Islam.

From the description of Moorish Science Temple of America collection, 1926-1967. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122579987

The Moorish Science Temple of America was founded by Noble Drew Ali in 1913. The organization was based on a combination of black nationalism and a religious philosophy which blended Christianity and Islam. Noble Drew Ali, born Timothy Drew, was among the first people to introduce Islam to African Americans through his movement.

It is difficult to discern the events of Ali's life because his followers believed he was a prophet and have combined legends with Ali's actual life story. Ali was born in 1886 in North Carolina. His mother died when he was young, and he was raised by an aunt. His followers claim that this aunt was a wicked woman who once threw her nephew into the furnance; they believe that Ali was saved from the flames by Allah. According to legend, Ali moved to a gypsy camp until he received a message from Allah that he must go on a mission. Supposedly he travelled to Egypt and Morocco, where he studied African history and the Islamic religion. The Moroccan King later sent him to spread Islam among African Americans.

Historians claim that Ali left North Carolina for Newark, New Jersey where he worked as a train expressman. Although he received no formal education, Ali was exposed to Asian philosophy which contains no distinct concept of race. In contrast to pervasive American racism, this philosophy appealed to him. Asian philosophy influenced Ali in the formulation of his own doctrines and in 1913 he founded his first temple, the Canaanite Temple, in Newark. Over the next twelve years he moved westward establishing temples in Pittsburg, Detroit, and Chiacago.

As Ali moved west, his movement took shape and attracted many followers. He claimed to be the prophet Muhammad reincarnated. He believed that Islam was the religon of African Americans before they were enslaved, and that they should return to it. Ali founded and taught the Five Divine Holy Principles of Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom, and Justice. The purpose behind his movement was to “uplift” African Americans. One of the major tenants of the faith concerned the national identity of African Americans. Ali discounted identities created by white Americans, such as “negro,” “colored,” and “black,” claiming that his people originated in Morocco. He referred to all people of color as Asiatics, and to African Americans specifically as Moorish Americans, descendents of the Moors of North Africa. Underlying his claims were two principles. The first was that by identifying with their North African ancestors, as well as with Muslims throughout the world, his followers would have pride in an ancestry to which they had been denied.

The actual religion developed by Ali was largely based on Christianity though it claimed to be an Islamic faith. Ali published The Holy Koran of the Moorish Science Temple Call Number: SC Rare F 84-10 in approximately 1927, a book which combined the Qu'ran, the Bible, Marcus Garvey's and Ali's own ideologies. Followers treated Friday as their Holy day, worshipped three times daily, greeted fellow members by saying “Peace” or “Islam,” and changed their last name by adding the Arabic article El- or -Bey to demonstrate their ethnic identity. A strict moral code forbidding intoxicants, tobacco, hair straighteners, cosmetics, meat, eggs, and other things was prescribed for members.

The movement expanded rapidly in the years 1925-29; some historians estimate thirty thousand members throughout the country at the peak of the movement. In 1926 the Moorish Science Temple became a legal corporation. By 1928 there were temples in Harlem, Philadelphia, and several southern cities. There were Moorish grocery stores, schools, youth groups, newspapers, and a magazine.

The expansion of the movement made it too difficult for Ali to lead by himself. He turned to certain members for help in administering the organization. A struggle for power erupted between Ali and his Lieutenant Sheikh Claude Greene, resulting in Greene's murder. Although Ali was out of town at the time of the killing, he was accused of the murder and arrested when he returned. While out on bail awaiting trial, Ali died. The circumstances surrounding his death are obscure. Some argue he died as a result of mistreatment during police questioning; others believe Temple members vying for Ali's position had him killed.

Following Ali's death the movement factionalized. Two members claimed to embody Ali's reincarnated spirit: John Givens El, and W.D. Fard. Fard went on to form the beginnings of the Nation of Islam. Elijah Muhammad, founder of the Nation of Islam, worked with Fard and was appointed First Minister of Islam by the latter. When Fard disappeared in 1934, Muhammad took over the sect. Though members of the Nation of Islam often deny connection with Ali's movement, the two organizations share several principles. For example, Fard studied Ali's methods in order to introduce the Qu'ran to his followers.

When the Moorish Science Temple of America divided after Ali's death, many members joined with Fard and Muhammad in what became the Nation of Islam. Today there are small followings of Ali and the Moorish Science Temple in Hartford, Connecticut and Lexington, Kentucky. In Chicago all that remains is a house with a sign reading Moorish Science Temple.

From the guide to the Moorish Science Temple of America collection, 1926-1967, (The New York Public Library. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division.)