The Moorish Science Temple of America
Overview
Sheik Robert Webb-Bey, Sheik Azeem Hopkins-Bey, Chairman Terrence Hopkins-Bey
Historical Note
The Moorish Science Temple of America (MSTA) is a religious organization founded in 1913 by Noble Drew Ali, born Timothy Drew. Among many beliefs, he asserted that Black people are descendants of the Moors who governed North West Africa. As such Black people, or "so-called Black people" as the Moorish community phrases it, are not Black but Moorish Americans "Moslems" of Islamic faith. Noble Drew Ali was reported to have stood on street corners in Chicago proclaiming: "Come all ye Asiatic of America and hear the truth about your nationality and birthrights, because you are not negroes. Learn of your forefathers ancient and divine Creed. That you will learn to love instead of hate." In addition to the assertion of a specific national identity, the MSTA was founded instill national pride and spiritual upliftment at a particular point in American history when "so-called Black people" were searching for a sense of belonging in the midst of the Great Migration and shifting national politics.
Credits
- CONCEPTS, RESEARCH & PHOTOGRAPHY
- WEBSITE DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
- LOGO DESIGNStephanie Matthews-Santana
- FUNDING
- Additional Support
Interview: Chairperson Terrence Hopkins-Bey Discusses Death
Brother T: I can remember instances of being six years old and riding in the car with my dad when a sad song comes on, and I begin crying. My father would actually take me aside and pull out the Holy Koran of the Moorish Science Temple of America to take me through Chapter 4 - Death and Burial of Elizabeth Matheno's Lessons - The Ministry of Death. He would explain to me in a way that I was able to understand that there was nothing to fear in regards to death. Death is no enemy of man, but it's a friend who when the work of life is done it just cuts the cord that binds the human boat to earth that it may sail on smoother seas. So that was something that had to comfort me as a child growing up and understanding why my mother wasn't here any longer.
...we may say they changed forms or they veiled their form which means they just took off this earthly garb that the spirit uses to function on the earth plane, the manifest, and moves on to a higher level of vibration.
Interviewer: In this book, there is a point where you said Noble Drew Ali, he veiled his form. What does this mean?
Brother A: In the Moorish Science Temple of America we're taught by Prophet Noble Drew Ali what man is and when we say man we're talking about man and woman, humanity. We're taught in Chapter 1 of the Moor Holy Koran that man is not the body nor the soul. He is the spirit and a part of Allah. So when we talk about our experiences on earth we're actually spiritual beings gaining a human experience. So we look at the flesh. The flesh is referred to as a guard in the Holy Koran of the Moorish Science Temple of America. So when a person, we say they died or they made their transition, we may say they changed forms or they veiled their form which means they just took off this earthly garb that the spirit uses to function on the earth plane, the manifest, and moves on to a higher level of vibration.