BLACK IN TIME: A Moment In OUR History

Elijah Muhammad

A New York Times Article Dated August 13, 1962, Read:

"Elijah Muhammad, a 64-year-old Georgia Negro, told a crowd at Kiel Auditorium {that} the United States should say: 'I'll give you a nice place to live and I will help you get started.'"

By 1962, Elijah Muhammad Was Well-Established As The Leader Of The Black Muslims. Known As The "Messenger Of Allah," He Called For A Separate African American Nation Within The United States.

Elijah Muhammad Was A Powerful, Controversial Figure Who Attacked The Beliefs Of The Christian Community, Calling Christianity "The Religion Of Slavery And An Instrument Of Oppression Controlled By 'White Devils.'"

Muhammad Began His Climb Up The Ranks Of The Nation Of Islam After He Founded Temple No. 2 In Chicago, In 1932. He Became Supreme Minister Following The Mysterious Disappearance Of Nation Of Islam Founder, W.D. Fard.

Under Elijah Muhammad's Leadership The Nation Of Islam Attracted Several Hundred Thousand Black Followers. One Hundred And Fifty Temples Were Opened In The United States And The Caribbean, And At Least 50 Islamic Universities Were Established.

The "Lost-Found Nation Of Islam Here In The Wilderness Of North America" Required Strict Discipline In Personal Conduct And Encouraged Blacks In The Inner-City To Open Businesses.

The Nation Also Instructed Blacks To Drop Their Last Names (Of Bondage) And Replace Them With Islamic Names. Or, They Could Simply Adopt X, As Did Malcolm X, To Await The Day "God Himself Returned And Gave Us A Holy Name From His Own Mouth."

Elijah Muhammad Died February 25, 1975, In Chicago, At The Age Of 77.

Upon His Death, Elijah Muhammad's Son, Wallace D. Muhammad, Assumed Leadership Of The Nation Of Islam. He Ushered In Notable Changes, Such As Opening Membership To Whites, Changing The Organization's Name To The World Community Of Islam And Abandoning The Notion Of A Separate Black State Within The United States.

Interview With
Elijah Muhammad
Parts 1 & 2









"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.

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