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Re: Nation of Islam NATION OF ISLAM (NOI) 34 also known as Muslim Cult “= of Islam, Muhammad's Temples : of Islam In January, 1957, a source advised that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD had described his o rganization on @ nation-wide basis as the "Nation of Islam" and “Muhammad's Temples of Islan, On May 18, 1960, another source advised that the NOI is an all-Negro organization which was originally organized in 1930 in Detroit, Michigan. MUHAMMAD, its present national leader, claims to have been selected by ALLAH, the Supreme Being, to lead the so-called Negro race out of slavery in the wilderness of North America by establishing 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 States; and that the white race, because of its exploitation of the so-called Negroes, must and wild be destroyed in the approaching "Yar of Armageddon." In the past, officials and members of the NOI, including MUHAMMAD, have refused to register ynder the — provisions of the Selective Service Acts and have declared that members owe no allegiance to the United States. On May 5, 1958, the first source related that MUHAMMAD, upon advise of legal counsel, had tempered his personal statements and instructions to his ministers concerning the principles of his organization in order to avoid possible prosecution by the United States Government. However, he did not indicate any fundamental changes in the teachings of his organization. On May 16, 1960, another source reported that MUHAMMAD early in july, 1958, had decided to de-emphasize the religious aspects of the teachings of Islam and to stress the economic benefits to be derived by the Negroes who joined the NOI, This policy change, according to MUHAMMAD, woud. help him to acquire additional followers and create more interest in his programs, -2-