Nation of Islam: Cult of the Black Muslims/Chapter 3
III. SIGNIFICANCE OF NOI
What conditions prevail in the United States which allow this unusual organization its present-day appeal and notoriety? Why is the NOI seemingly more important today than at any time in its history?
Prominent Negro scholars point to a new assertive mood, frequently called "Black Nationalism," rising among the Negroes in this country. But Negro leaders differ in their interpretation and use to be made of this mood. However, into whatever causes they channel this mood, all recognize one common concept--the American Negro is a group with a heritage of suffering, taking action to force the white majority to recognize and fulfill its legal rights.
We observe this new mood in the actions and activities of the majority of the nonviolent demonstrations, such as school integration, voter registration, boycotts, et cetera, of the major civil rights organizations. The "Black Nationalism" of these civil rights organizations is expressed in their dedication to the integration of Negroes within the present framework of society.
However, despite avowals of nonviolence, there has been a growing militant tone to the activities of the Negro rights movements. Public attention, therefore, has been increasingly focused on the most unorthodox Negro organization--the NOI, or "Black Muslims," whose particular form of "Black Nationalism" expresses itself in open denunciation of the white race and constant demands for complete separation from white society.
During the 30 years that Elijah Muhammad has been absolute ruler over the NOI, changing conditions in the United States have noticeably altered the emphasis he has placed on the various aspects of his teachings. This change of emphasis has not reflected a change of policy but has been merely a response to external pressures and realities.
For some time, Elijah faithfully followed the original teachings of Fard, who preached that the black people of North America were not Negroes but were members of the lost tribe of Shabazz, stolen by white slave traders from the Holy City of Mecca many years ago, and that he himself had come to America to find and bring back to life his lost brethren, who must learn that they were the original people and must regain their true religion--Islam.
Elijah furthered Fard's avowal that Christianity was a tool of the white man formed for the sole purpose of keeping the original black man enslaved, and that only through following the laws of Allah would the original people return to the Paradise from which they had been stolen.
Elijah indoctrinated his followers with the belief that the United States Government was of, by, and for the white man only, that the black people did not belong to America but were citizens of Mecca, and that, therefore, their allegiance belonged to the Muslim flag, which would give them freedom, justice, and equality, not to the American flag, which would bring them only slavery, injustice, and death.
By 1958, however, fearing possible Government prosecution, Elijah ordered his ministers to temper their militant teachings. Though not making any fundamental changes, he de-emphasized the religious aspects of the cult and stressed the economic benefits to be derived by those Negroes who joined the NOI.
During this same period, the NOI constantly emphasized the cult's efforts in the rehabilitation of Negro criminals, dope addicts, and alcoholics, by publicizing those who had joined the NOI and had bettered their position in society. The former leading spokesman of the cult, Malcolm X, who was assassinated in February, 1965, had been instrumental in spreading the claim that the NOI had had phenomenal success in rehabilitating these Negroes. Malcolm, who publicly acknowledged that he had been a narcotics addict and a criminal before joining the NOI, was a dynamic and evangelistic type of speaker who impressed many Negroes in the United States.
Still another change of NOI emphasis resulted from the steadily rising influence of the present-day Negro civil rights movement. This caused an increase of open NOI denunciation of other Negro civil rights organizations and the Negro Christian ministers who support them. Negro leaders of the civil rights groups are called by the Muslims "the blind leading the blind" and "puppets of the white slave masters." Negro Christian ministers are called "parasites living on the blood of their poor Black brothers," "tools of the white man," and "educated Uncle Toms."
An alliance between the NOI and the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) now and then has been rumored in the press. Again, a connection was reported following the rally in New York City on February 16, 1965, when the deposed Malcolm X charged that there was a conspiracy between these organizations that was "not in the best interest of black people." Malcolm's angry charge came just two days after his home had been damaged by fire bombs which he claimed were thrown on the orders of Elijah Muhammad.
Malcolm's charge of a conspiracy is not borne out by the facts. The NOI and KKK are mutually antagonistic on the race issue. The only aim they hold in common is complete separation of the races. Malcolm himself unproductively negotiated with KKK leaders in January, 1961, for land where the NOI could set up its own businesses, commerce, and government. On another occasion several months later, the minister of the Atlanta Temple attended a public Klan rally and his presence was acknowledged by the Klan leader. The NOI minister was merely an observer and took no part in the rally, following which, he told newsmen he did not approve of the Klan. Still later in 1961, Elijah Muhammad told a group of his followers that a representative of the KKK had asked to come to an NOI meeting to tell how they supported Elijah's work. Elijah said that "if they showed up they would be carried out."
Not all NOI hatred is vented on other extremists, civil rights groups, and Christian ministers. The Communist Party and the Socialist Workers Party[1] are similarly denounced and avoided.
Dissident NOI members have reported that Elijah has denounced communism on many occasions while speaking at temple meetings. Elijah's denunciations are echoed in the statements of his ministers. One NOI minister told his followers, "The NOI does not favor the communists and will not have anything to do with communism. Muslims hate communists worse than the white people hate the communists and Russia. Communism is no good for anyone."
Noncooperation with any group of white people is the Black Muslim rule. The NOI prohibits its followers from participating in or lending support to any organization or meeting which non-Muslim Negroes or white people sponsor. For example, an NOI minister on thee west coast had agreed to b6
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participate in a labor forum in May, 1964. When he learned that the Socialist Workers Party candidate for President of the United States, also was scheduled to speak at the forum, the minister asked NOI headquarters if he might still take part. Denial was immediately forthcoming, and the minister cancelled his appearance.
The Communist Party, USA (CPUSA), while sympathetic to the NOI, has a current policy of advocating and supporting integration rather than segregation of Negroes and whites in this country. Ironically, the CPUSA for many years pursued an official policy of "self-determination," or a separate nation for American Negroes. In 1959, when the Party concluded that such a segregationist policy was inimical to communist interest in the civil rights movement, the Party changed its constitution. CPUSA spokesmen since that time have condemned the NOI and the former NOI figure, the late Malcolm X, as "ultrareactionary forces" among the Negro people, and once singled out Malcolm X as an "opponent of the Negro people."
However, the Party has recently moderated its attitude toward the NOI, and communist spokesmen now usually refer to the NOI program as being somewhat "Utopian" and "divisive," thus, not in keeping with communist doctrine. In this regard, the Party has stated that the NOI does not represent the large majority of Negroes in this country, who seek equality within the context of an integrated society.
While the Party does express sympathy for the NOI on the grounds that the capitalist system in this country is responsible for the conditions in which a protest movement such as the NOI can arise, the Party insists, of course, that only under communism will the Negro have full freedom. As a result, the Party is circumspect and has rejected a policy of active cooperation with the NOI.
In contrast to the CPUSA position is that expressed by one militant Marxist group, the Progressive Labor Movement (PLM),[2] which follows a pro-Chinese communist line in this country. A leading figure in this movement, who was formerly in the CPUSA, stated after the Harlem riots of July, 1964, that the PLM was willing to work with any group in Harlem--Black Nationalist or Muslim included.
Several articles with a pro-Chinese communist slant appeared in "Muhammad Speaks" in 1964. These articles were undoubtedly published because the NOI considers the Chinese people to be "brothers," inasmuch as they also are non-Caucasian. One of the articles, prepared by Robert Williams, a Negro extremist who fled to Cuba to avoid prosecution for kidnapping and who, in his speeches and writings, advocates violence in civil rights efforts in the United States, described his visit to Red China. He stated that the "American of African descent, whether he understands enough to appreciate it or not, is very fortunate to have the support of the Chinese people."
A well-known Negro author has written: "It is an interesting historical phenomenon that when a people reach the precipice of despair, there is so often waiting in the bushes a savior—a messiah who promises to snatch them back from the edge of the abyss and turn their grief into greatness."
To some dissatisfied Negroes, Elijah Muhammad, the self-proclaimed "Messenger of Allah," appears to be this messiah. Describing in a speech in Los Angeles last summer the calamities which have befallen people in the United States, Elijah asked, "Who can be saved?" His answer was "the Muslim believers who faithfully followed and obeyed His Messenger.… The wisest and surest way to success is to unite behind me. I assure you that, with the help of Allah, you will accomplish your goals: money, good homes, and friendships in all walks of life."
Negroes living in slum conditions, hopeless and frustrated, feel Elijah may be an answer to their many problems. These are the Negroes, the less-educated and least-privileged, to whom Elijah directs his appeals. For these Negroes, the Muslim movement provides a means by which they can both release and control their feelings toward what they regard as a hostile white society. The ritual, the fierce verbal attacks upon whites, and the display of authority give a sense of power and adventure. From within NOI closed meetings, the Black Muslims hurl their imprecations, insults, and vague threats at the distant white world, as they stand surrounded by other friendly black listeners. And the NOI movement's insistence that Negroes are the original people who "must stay among themselves" gives its followers a sense of security and even tranquility.
However, with the exception of a few educators and businessmen who joined the NOI for purely selfish, economic reasons, the bulk of the Negro population shows little interest in the religious aspects of the NOI. Distinguished Negro leaders on many occasions have soundly denounced the NOI with its distorted version of Islam, which continually attacks all established institutions the Negro normally looks to for leadership. As a noted Negro pastor in Harlem warned, the teaching of the Black Muslims "is going in a way contrary to what we know is best. It solves no problems, but only begets greater antagonism."
While the majority of Negroes in the United States do not rush to join the NOI, many seem to respect it. Among those who do not join, few participate in any criticism of it. The Muslim advocacy of black supremacy arouses the sympathy of many Negroes. They silently applaud the boldness of Elijah and his ministers, who openly condemn white people. This taps sentiments of racial pride which seldom find avenues of expression. The Muslims' repeated appeals for clean living, self-respect, and self-uplift independent of the white community apparently have gained considerable respect among American Negroes. They approve of the way the Muslims live. Lacking knowledge of the complete teachings of the cult, some Negroes see the economic advantages only. Attracted by constant publicity about the claimed rehabilitation of criminals, and seeing the many photographs of well-dressed ministers and members of the elite guard, Fruit of Islam (FOI), they are impressed with the apparent success the NOI has had in bettering conditions of these members. They feel that anything that could help the Negro must be good.
Those Negroes who read the NOI newspaper, "Muhammad Speaks," see in every issue a list of ten demands--"What the Muslims Want." The first three of these demands--full and complete freedom, equal justice under the law, equality of opportunity--are fundamental principles which make up the American creed and are desired by all segments of our society. But other stated demands of the Muslims include land for a nation of their own, exemption from all taxation, freedom from prisons for all Negroes, and so forth. These are impracticable, but many uneducated Negroes cannot help being receptive to some of these demands.
Also impressed by publicity on the NOI are Negro criminals serving in Federal and State prisons. They are a very receptive group, who see Muslim activity within the prisons as an outlet for protest against their situation. With the attitude of what-have-I-to-lose, they hope that some benefits might come to them by joining the NOI.
For a multitude of reasons, there are American Negroes who sympathize with the Black Muslims or actually become loyal followers of Elijah Muhammad and his NOI leadership. For those who join, "the Messenger's" word is law, and all who wish to remain in the cult must follow Elijah's strict discipline as imposed by his loyal ministers. But this discipline has not been able to prevent trouble in the cult.
Elijah's former leading spokesman, Minister Malcolm X, Elijah's
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Who are these higher-ups of the NOI? What type of man leads this strange organization?
- ↑ Designated as subversive pursuant to Executive Order 10450.
- ↑ Name changed to Progressive Labor Party in mid-April, 1965.