Founding the Moorish Science Temple Noble Drew Ali

attendees of 1928 moorish science temple conclave in chicago. noble drew ali in white in front row center.

it possible drew ali did not travel egypt , morocco, historians believe after leaving north carolina, moved newark, new jersey, worked train expressman. in 1913, drew ali formed canaanite temple in newark. left city after agitating people views on race. drew ali , followers migrated, while planting congregations in philadelphia; washington, d.c., , detroit. finally, drew ali settled in chicago in 1925, saying midwest closer islam. following year officially registered temple no. 9.

there instructed followers not confrontational build people respected. in way, might take place in united states developing cultural identity congruent drew ali s beliefs on personhood. in late 1920s, journalists estimated moorish science temple had 35,000 members in 17 temples in cities across midwest , upper south. ushers of temple wore black fezzes. leader of particular temple known grand sheik, or governor. noble drew ali known have had several wives. according chicago defender, claimed power marry , divorce @ will. moorish science movement reportedly studied , watched chicago police.

noble drew ali (top center) chicago alderman louis b. anderson (to right) , congressman oscar de priest (left)

drew ali attended 1929 inauguration of illinois governor louis lincoln emmerson. chicago defender stated trip included interviews many distinguished citizens chicago, greeted him on every hand. growth in population , membership, chicago established center of moorish science movement.

internal split , murder

in 1929, following conflict on funds, claude green-bey, business manager of chicago temple no. 1 split moorish science temple of america. declared himself grand sheik , took number of members him. on march 15, green-bey stabbed death @ unity hall of moorish science temple, on indiana avenue in chicago.

drew ali out of town @ time, dealing former supreme grand governor lomax-bey (professor ezaldine muhammad), had supported green-bey s attempted coup. when drew ali returned chicago, police arrested him , other members of community on suspicion of having instigated killing. no indictment sworn drew ali @ time.