Many new to the movement focus strictly on corporate transmit utilities ("strawmen") without recognizing the man who started the national movement or the true power of international nationality[cite: 15]. Below is the historical record of Prophet Noble Drew Ali, in whose footsteps the Moorish Republic follows[cite: 15].
The Life and Legacy of Noble Drew Ali
The Moorish Divine and National Movement began in 1913 when Prophet Noble Drew Ali (Sheikh Sharif Abdul Ali) founded the Canaanite Temple in Newark, New Jersey[cite: 15]. Originally located in Dixon Barbershop at 7 Rutgers Street, the temple expanded to a larger facility in 1916 as membership grew rapidly[cite: 15].
The Prophet taught that our people were not "Negros," "Blacks," or "Coloreds," but rather Moors[cite: 15]. He taught "Islamism," a creed dating back to ancient forebears prior to modern orthodox Arab Islam[cite: 15]. Due to deep Christian indoctrination among early converts, the Prophet was voted out as head of his own temple in 1919 in favor of Dixon[cite: 15].
By 1925, Noble Drew Ali relocated headquarters to Chicago, Illinois, establishing the Moorish Holy Temple of Science[cite: 15]. On November 29, 1926, the temple was formally organized as a civic organization under Illinois state law[cite: 15]. Prophet Drew Ali compiled and published the Holy Koran of the Moorish Holy Temple of Science (Circle 7) in 1927–1928[cite: 15]. The Divine Constitution and By-laws were officially adopted in 1928, and on May 2nd of that year, the movement reorganized as a religious body under the name Moorish Science Temple of America[cite: 15].
This structural transition to a religious organization served as a strategic decision to safeguard the movement's national unity goals from severe federal scrutiny, such as that targeted at Marcus Garvey's Pan-Africanist movement by J. Edgar Hoover[cite: 15]. Noble Drew Ali established temples nationwide and instructed Moors to build independent economic enterprises[cite: 15].
Key Historical Milestones of the Movement
Primary Moorish Documents Repository
Examine foundational texts, historical literature, and constitutional records of the movement[cite: 15]:
The Moorish Republic maintains that true self-determination requires stepping into full international nationality and sovereign governance[cite: 15].
Explore Sovereign & International Foundations
Review our Nationality Declaration or examine International Law frameworks[cite: 15].
Nationality Declaration Examine International Law