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
Robert Webb-Bey Joined the Moorish Science Temple of America in 2012
The five fingers are a symbol of peace. The five fingers also stands for the five divine principles of Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom, and Justice.
Even though the Holy 7 Koran is the core text of the Moorish Science Temple of America, as Robert Webb-Bey explains, "[l]ike on our nationality card, we honor all divine prophets, Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha and Confucius" and as such "there’s this idea within the Moorish Science of America that a pluralism is acceptable." Consequently, Robert Webb-Bey consistently reads from a variety of religious texts in his personal studies and introduces his congregants to these different texts at Sunday school. Here, he reads from the Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Specifically, he turns to Surah 34: Saba, a Meccan chapter that focuses on the lives of Solomon and David, and the promises related to the day of judgment.
Act 7 of Noble Drew Ali's Divine Constitutions and By-Laws reads:
Act 7.—All members must promptly attend their meetings and become a part and a partial of all uplifting acts of the Moorish Science Temple of America. Members must pay their dues and keep in line with all necessities of the Moorish Science Temple of America, then you are entitled to the name of “Faithful.”