◆ SpookStack

NATION OF ISLAM FORMERLY REFERRED TO AS MUSLIM CULT OF ISLAM, ALSO KNOWN AS MUHAMMAD'S TECPLES OF ISLAM In January, 1957, a source advised that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD had described his organization on a nationwide basis as the "NATION OF ISLAM” and "MUHAMMAD'S TEMPLES OF ISLAM," On December 22, 1958, another source advised that the NOI is an all-Negro organization which was originally organized in 1950 in Detroit, Michigan. MUGAMMAD, its present national cing t claims to have been selected by ALLAH, the Supreme Being to lead the so-called Negro race out of slaver: i Ee ey ee RT ate le ee eee Eo cont ee in a Dew Lishin i sie in the wilder ioe of AAD USL Amer we by SOVeaAR L a Gili an independent black nation in the United States. Members following MUHAMMAD'S teachings and his interpretation of the "Koran" believe there is no such thing as a Negro; that the so-called Negroes are slaves of the white race, referred to as “white devils,” in the United tates; and that the white race because of its exploitation of the so-called Negroes, must and will be destroyed in the approaching "War of Armageddon," In the past, officials and members of the NOI, including MUHAMMAD, have refused to register under the provisions of the Selective Service forts and have declared that members owe no allegiance to the United States. On Hay 5, 1958, the first source related that MUHAMMAD, upon advice of tegal counsel, had tempered his per sonal statements and instructions to his ministers corn- cerning the principles of his organization in order to avoid possible prosecution by the United States Government. Hove ever, he did not indicate any fundamental changes in the teachings of his organization. On December 16, 1958, another source reported that MUHAMMAD early in July, i958, had decided to de-emphasize the religious aspects of the ,veachings of Islam and stress am ee eS oe eee eee an one cree tne ScUlomat benefits co De cer ived by those hegr oes whe joined the NOI, This policy change, according to MUHAMMAD, would help him to acquire additional followers and create more interest in his programs. - se Pd