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Moorish Science Temple of America — Part 10
Page 51
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announced thaq he alone was the rightful inheritor of Dr ts le
STE BBONS} (formerly the Prophet's chauffeur) and I CWO
(who had rted from Pitteburgh to assist in quelling the GREENE»
revolt) each naintained that the dead leader's spirit had entered his body.
JOHNSON, & man of action, invaded the office of MEALY EL, another aspirant,
and demanded recognition as Grand Sheik. WEALY EL demurred and received @
terrific mauling. JOHNSON then dispatched his henchmen to kidnap KIRKMAN
BEY, who claimed possession of Drew Ali's last will and testament.
KIRKNAN's wife, secretly surmising that her husband was being detained in
JOHNSON's apartment, directed the police thither. A gun battle ensued in
which two policemen and one Moor were killed. Sixty-three Moors were
arrested, and JOHNSON was committed to the State Hospital for the Criminally
Insane, where he subsequently died. STEVE GIBBONS also was epprehendee after
i ye had forced his way into Attorney PAYNE's home in search of Drew Ali‘
_aperse
\puspons, too, was sent to the insane asylum, but was released several years
ater. In 1941 he was heading a Chicago temple on East 40th Street and still
asserting his claim to the title of Grand Sheik of all Moorish American
Science Temples. GIBBONS was one of six contestants, each one a temple
leader and each one designating his own as Temple No. 1.
Services in each temple observe with minor deviations, the pattern e
lished by Drew Ali. First, a minor sheik, a sheikess or the chairman
reads and explains Drew ali's version of the Koran. Then follows a more
elaborate discourse by the Grand Sheik (in some temples called the Governor),
the whole ceremony being punctuated at intervals by Christian hymns with
the words Allah, Drew Ali, and Moslem substituted for God, Christ and
Christian. Friday is observed as a holy day of rest, "because on a Friday
the first man departed out of the flesh and on a Friday the first man was
formed in flesh and on a Friday the first man departed out of the flesh
and ascended unto his father God Allah, for that cause Friday is the Holy
&
4 Day for all Mosiems all over the /world."
e: - Since Drew Ali considered MARCUS-GARVEY his forerunner (in a relationship
. ( analagous to that of John the Baptist and Jesus) and paid tribute to him in
A) his Koran and in his sermons, Moorish Americans frequently laud and quote
ae =a the Jamaican organizer.
cnatenm ee ' January 8, the Prophet's birthday, is a special occasion in all temples.
Full Moorish regalia is worn by those members who can afford it, and there
is likely to be feasting and distribution of gifte as in Christmas
celebrations in Christian churches. A number of unconverted guests are
invited; the customary speeches take on a more evangelistic tone. Expo-
sitions of the teachings and principles of the Prophet are offered in &
simplified form for the benefit of those still under the influence of
"The Folly" (Christianity).
one ere aes Vi ce pene Sn ate pres MT ke ree Pte We weer Tee Lt Sy
wht Tae ght
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