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a ed a) LA i th aes hike es ae Ae ¢r Ref Maleoim K. Little NATION OF ISLAM FORMERLY REFERRED TO AS MUSLIM CULT Of ISLAM, ALSO RNOUN 2S NUBASDIADIS TERCPLES OF ISEAT . In January, 1957, a source advised that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD had described his organization on a nationwide basis as the “NATION OF ISLAM’ and "MUHANMAR'S TEMPLES OF ISLAM." On December 22, 1658, another source advised that the NOI as an ati-Negro organization which was originally erganized in IV50 in Detreit, Michigen. HUHAMMAD, its present netional leader, claims te have been selected by ALLAH, the Supreme Peing, to lead the so-called Negro race out of slavery dn the wilderness of North America by establishing an independent black nation in the United States, Members following MUHAMMAD'S teachings anc his interpretation of the "Koran" believe there is no such thing as a Negro; that the so-called Negroes are alaves 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, most and will be destroyed in. the enproaching "War of Armageddon,” In the past, officials and members of the NOI, aneluding MUHAMMAD, have refused to register uncer the provisions of the Selective Service Acts and have declared that members owe no allegiance to the United States. On Mav 5, 1958, the first source related that MUHAMMAD, upon advice of legal counsel, had tempered his personal statements and instrections to his ministers con- cerning the principles of his organization in order to avoid possible prosecution by the United States Government. Hor- ever, he dig not indicate any fundamental changes in the teachings of his organization, On December 15, 1958, another source reported that MUSANMAD early in July, 1058, had decided to de~emphas.ze the religious aspects of the teachings of Islam and stress the economic benefits to be derived by thoss Negroes who Joined the NOI, This policy change, according to MUAAMMAD, would help him to acquire additional fellowers and create more interest in his programs. This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of any kind. It is the property of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is a loan to your agency; it and/or its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. ae ~ @. ~