Very few organizations in the history of the U.S. have sought to give African peoples in the Americas, a historical reason to love and embrace their Africanity. This would be especially true if one were referring to popular "grass-roots" organizations. Few groups had emphasized the need for so-called "Blacks" to look back at their pre-U.S. origins in order to better understand their "true" selves and to ameliorate their oppressed condition. Historically, the tendency among U.S. "Blacks" has been to retreat into Christianity and theologically-Eurocentric Christian churches. This is most ironic, given the fact that for centuries American churches more often than not, validated the oppressive (and even bestial) conditions from which "Blacks" sought refuge.
One would think that Africans in the Americas would have rejected the religious tradition of their European subjugators, for older & more Africa-centered sources of knowledge & spiritual relief. Yet historically speaking, relatively few African Americans have turned away from traditional Christian circles in order to find a greater understanding of themselves and the world(s) in which they live. But one alternative has been the "Moorish Science Temple" which emerged in the early 1900's.
The "Moorish Science Temple of America" (M.S.T.A.) began first as "The Canaanite Temple" in 1913. The "Canaanite Temple" and the subsequent "Moorish Holy Temple of Science" and finally "Moorish Science Temple of America," were all based upon the teachings of a man named Timothy Drew. Drew would later be known as "Prophet Noble Drew Ali." Over the years, several other "Moorish Science" Temples & groups would splinter off from the original M.S.T.A. organization.1 Consequently, they all represent elements of what I collectively refer to as "the Moorish Science Temple movement." But most importantly, the Moorish Science Temple of America's establishment & growth during the early 1920's, represented one of the few institutions where so-called "Negroes" could come freely and learn something of their pre-"Negro" history & significance. The Temples provided folks with the opportunity to acquire some knowledge of the religion of Islam, as well as aspects of ancient Kemetic ("Egyptian") spirituality. The foundations of the Moorish Science Temple's theology can be found in such traditions as that of Sufism & Maraboutism, both of which are part of the Islamic faith. However, other aspects of M.S.T. belief appear to be grounded within the West's own Freemasonic tradition. Consequently, this work addresses the significance of Freemasonry in understanding both the Moorish historical, and Moorish Science Temple, legacies.
Today, many students of Nile Valley civilization know that the ancient Kemites wisely contended: "Know Thyself". Yet this saying also appeared in the official sacred text ("Moorish Koran") of the Moorish Science Temple of America back in the late 1920's. In fact, this little known organization presented official literature and teachings which were ahead of their time in revealing much about the so-called "Negro"/"Black" identity. But unfortunately, the historical and cultural ignorance most often found within the "Black" community, prevented most people from taking an interest in what the organization had to offer.
In the early 1910's & 20's, the wearing of "strange" head-coverings known as "fezes" and the member's references to "Moorish Science", would certainly have appeared quite alien to a populace weaned on American Christianity. But through the efforts of leaders such as Marcus Garvey & the men and women of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, the level of historical awareness and cultural consciousness among the "Black" masses was raised. Consequently, many newly enlightened "Negroes" were able to give greater consideration to the teachings of founder Drew Ali, and thereby came into Moorish Science Temples. However, the relatively recent work of the late Hugo Prosper Leaming-Bey on the "Ben Ishmael" tribe, also suggests that early support for Ali's movement came from a "midwestern" Indian community known as the "Ishmaelites."2
In time, several factors reduced the presence and appeal of the Moorish Science Temple movement. This included: the personal weaknesses of some Moorish Science members, externally imposed political intrigues, and the usual materialistic seductions of our society. All such factors would take their toll in stifling the success of the Temple organization and its message. Sadly, almost immediately after Drew Ali's passing, there was a fragmentation of the initial Moorish movement into several different factions. Each faction would present varying interpretations regarding where priorities should be placed. Unfortunately, this factionalization would ultimately add to the confusion concerning the purpose of "the movement," and this would further diminish its popularity & strength. Never-the-less, the message regarding the "Moorish" identity of African-Americans, has reached pockets of the rank & file over the past 88 years. But greater clarity regarding the significance of the "the movement" is direly needed, and that is the primary concern of this work.