The Messenger, page 52
4. We believe in Allah’s Prophets and the Scriptures they brought to the people.
5. We believe in the resurrection of the dead—not in physical resurrection—but in mental resurrection. We believe the so-called Negroes are most in need of mental resurrection; therefore, they will be resurrected first. Furthermore, we believe we are the people of God’s choice, as it has been written, that God would choose the rejected and the despised. We can find no other persons fitting the description in these last days more than the so-called Negroes in America. We believe in the resurrection of the righteous.
6. We believe in the judgment; we believe this first judgment will take place as God revealed, in America …
7. We believe this is the time in history for the separation of the so-called Negroes and the so-called white Americans. We believe the Black man should be freed from the names imposed upon him by his former slave masters. Names which identified him as being the slave master’s slave. We believe that if we are free indeed, we should go in our own people’s names—the Black people of the Earth.
8. We believe in justice for all, whether in God or not; we believe as others, that we are due equal justice as human beings. We believe in equality—as a nation—of equals. We do not believe that we are equal with our slave masters in the status of “freed slaves.” We recognize and respect American citizens as independent peoples and we respect their laws which govern this nation.
9. We believe that the offer of integration is hypocritical and is made by those who are trying to deceive the Black peoples into believing that their 400-year-old open enemies of freedom, justice and equality are, all of a sudden, their “friends.” Furthermore, we believe that such deception is intended to prevent Black people from realizing that the time in history has arrived for the separation from the whites of this nation. If the white people are truthful about the professed friendship toward the so-called Negro, they can prove it by dividing up America with their slaves. We do not believe America will ever be able to furnish enough jobs for her own millions of unemployed, in addition to jobs for the 20,000,000 Black people as well.
10. We believe that we who declare ourselves to be righteous Muslims should not participate in wars which take the lives of humans. We do not believe this nation should force us to take part in such wars, for we have nothing to gain from it unless America agrees to give us the necessary territory wherein we may have something to fight for.
11. We believe our women should be respected and protected as the women of other nationalities are respected and protected.
12. We believe that Allah (God) appeared in the Person of Master W. Fard Muhammad, July 1930; the long-awaited “Messiah” of the Christians and the “Mahdi” of the Muslims.
We believe further and lastly that Allah is God and besides HIM there is no God and He will bring about a universal government of peace wherein we can all live in peace together.
APPENDIX F
SELECTED DECLASSIFIED GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS ON ELIJAH MUHAMMAD AND KEY FIGURES IN THE NATION OF ISLAM
I. FBI HQ File on Muslim Mosque Inc.
(Founded by Malcolm X in 1964)
Author’s Note: Newly released documents leave little doubt that high-level government officials in the intelligence community used every weapon at their disposal to foment a violent conflict between Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X. Some of the documents that shed light on the methods used are reprinted below.
(a)
Confidential
1-Mr. Belmont
1–Mr. Rosen
1–Mr. Sullivan
1–Liaison
1–Mr. Baumgardner
1–Mr. Rosack
(Internal Security) 25-220971
(Internal Security) 100-441765
Date: June 9, 1964
To: Chief, U.S. Secret Service
From: John Edgar Hoover, Director
Subject: Nation of Islam
Internal Security–NOI
Muslim Mosque, Incorporated
Internal Security–MMI
This will confirm the following information orally furnished on June 6, 1964 by Special Agent [name redacted] of this Bureau to [name deleted], U.S. Secret Service; [name redacted], Office of Naval Intelligence; [name redacted], Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Department of the Army; and [name deleted], Office of Special Investigations, Air Force.
A confidential source [in this case, the source appears to be the wiretaps on Malcolm X’s telephones] who has furnished reliable information in the past advised on June 6, 1964, that Malcolm X (Little), head of Muslim Mosque, Incorporated (MMI), was contacted on that date by his assistant James 67X Warden, also known as James Shabazz, who was in Phoenix, Arizona. Warden stated he had obtained a signed statement on June 5 from “the women” and had also taken photographs of the illegitimate children and the mothers. Warden stated he would attempt to get a bastardy warrant on June 6 against “him,” presumably referring to Elijah Muhammad who is head of the Nation of Islam (NOI), and serve the warrant by noon (Phoenix time). Warden stated he would also attempt to arrange publicity for the serving of the warrant and the release of the bastardy story. Malcolm X advised Warden that if he could not get adequate publicity in Phoenix he should go to Los Angeles and see “Alexander” who would set up a press conference there.
It appears that Malcolm X is attempting to discredit Muhammad by making public information he is known to have of the illegitimate children of Muhammad and is apparently being assisted by one or more of the mothers who may be in Phoenix.
In addition to the above the following information has been received concerning this matter.
The “Alexander” referred to above apparently refers to Sanford Alexander, owner, Los Angeles Herald Dispatch, or his wife. The Los Angeles Herald Dispatch is a weekly newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, and was formerly the official organ of the NOI on the West Coast.
The confidential source mentioned above advised on June 6, 1964, that Warden contacted Malcolm X and advised him things in Phoenix were not going as swiftly as they had hoped. Warden stated he had the statement from the women revised and lengthened and hoped he could get it notarized which was about all he could get done on that date since it was too late for court action. On June 6, 1964, Warden was registered under his true name of James Warden in an unknown hotel in Phoenix with two women and an unknown number of children. One woman, name unknown, has three children and the second is “Sister Lucille,” who is eight months pregnant, and also may have some children. Warden has mailed photographs he took of the children and their mothers to Malcolm X in New York City.
The source further advised if everything had gone according to plan “Sister Lucille” was to have driven Warden to Los Angeles on the evening of June 6 to contact Mrs. Alexander and set up a press conference there; however, due to delays the trip will probably be further delayed until everything in Phoenix is completed. Malcolm X warned Warden not to contact Mrs. Alexander in advance but to go to see her when he arrived in Los Angeles and show her the information he had gathered.
The Phoenix office has advised that William R. Johnson, a Mrs. Williams, a Miss Williams, a Mrs. Karriem and a Miss L. Karriem (age 4) left Phoenix on American Airlines Flight 929 for Los Angeles at 7:05 P.M., June 6. It appears the two women are probably Lucille Rosary (Karriem) and Evelyn Williams.
The above source advised on June 7, 1964 [the date, by the way, that Malcolm X received a death threat by telephone], that James Warden was then in Los Angles with “Sister Evelyn” and “Sister Lucille” and they apparently flew to Los Angeles from Phoenix on the night of June 6. Warden advised Malcolm X the only thing accomplished in Phoenix was the notarization of the statement. Malcolm X instructed Warden to contact Mrs. Alexander and tell her the complete story. The source advised that both women are extremely reluctant to tell their story publicly in spite of attempts by Malcolm X to persuade them to talk by claiming there will be “violence” between the NOI and the MMI if they do not talk.
The New York Office has advised the MMI held a public rally at Audubon Ballroom, New York City, on the evening of June 7 with approximately 450 persons in attendance. The main speaker was Malcolm X who spoke of his recent African tour and the sympathy of the Africans for Negroes in America. In answer to a question Malcolm X indicated Elijah Muhammad of the NOI is the father of six illegitimate children which fact the NOI “covers up.”
The NOI and the MMI are under investigation by this Bureau, the results of which are being furnished on a continuing basis to the agencies receiving instant communication. You will be advised of further pertinent information regarding this matter.
1–Mr. J. Walter Yeagley, Assistant Attorney General
1–Director of Naval Intelligence
1–Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Department of the Army Attention: Chief, Security Division
1–Office of Special Investigations, Air Force Attention: Chief, Counterintelligence Division
(b)
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Domestic Intelligence Division
Date: June 29, 1964
Informative Note
Muslim Mosque, Inc., (MMI) is a black nationalist group formed by Malcolm X. Little, former New York Nation of Islam (NOI) leader who has been attempting to discredit Elijah Muhammad, head of NOI.
Attached reports formation of group by Malcolm X. Little called “Organization of Afro-American Unity,” which has announced purpose of sponsoring a reform program aimed at getting racial problems before United Nations. We have been following this development very closely.
Dissemination being made to [Justice] Department, State, CIA, Secret Service and Military agencies.
BCR: cwb
(c)
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Department of Justice
Communications Section
Teletype
FBI–New York
1:55 AM
Urgent
June 29, 1964
To: Director (100-441765)
From: New York SAC (100-152759)
Re: Muslim Mosque, Incorporated
Internal Security–MMI
[Source’s identity redacted] advised Six Twenty Nine Sixty Four [06/29/64] as follows …
MMI public rally held Audubon Ballroom, New York City, from Eight Fifteen to Ten Forty Five PM, Six Twenty Eight Sixty Four, with approximately five hundred persons in attendance. Speaker was Malcolm X who announced formation of new Non-White Civil Rights Action Group to be called “Organization of Afro-American Unity.” New organization will sponsor educational, political, economic and social reform programs. It will be led by Malcolm X and the leading aim is to get U.S. Racial Problem before UN. Malcolm X claims support from many local organizations and from Afro-Asian nations, particularly Ghana. Leading supporters on stage with Malcolm X included William Worthy, Mrs. [Juanita] Sidney Poitier, Wilbur Tatum (Associated Artist for Freedom) and others. William Patterson is also a supporter according to Malcolm X but Patterson was not present. New organization will hold meeting next Sunday night at Audubon Ballroom and officers will be announced. Initial dues for group will be two dollars per person, and one dollar per week thereafter. Audience allowed to register for group following Six Twenty Eight meeting.
[Source redacted] has taped program which will be listened to in order to obtain full list of those supporting new group.
LHM [LetterHead Memorandum] follows.
II. FBI HQ file of W.D. Fard (alias Wallace Dodd Ford)
(a)
Confidential
Date: 02/19/63
To: Director, FBI (25-220971)
From: SAC, Chicago (100-35635–Sub B)
Nation of Islam
IS–NOI
Re Chicago letters to Bureau, dated 02/25/58 and 04/04/58; and Bureau letter to Chicago, dated 04/15/58, entitled “WALLACE DODD, FORD, SM–NOI.”
In connection with efforts to disrupt and curb growth of the NOI, extensive research has been conducted into various files maintained by this office. Among the files reviewed was that of Wallace Dodd Ford.
In this review it was noted there was evidence indicating Ford, or ALLAH as he is known to the NOI, was last seen in September 1933 at which time he, or a person believed to be him, was arrested by the Chicago Police Department; that his former common-law wife stated she had seen him in either the summer of 1932 or 1933, at which time she said he told her he was going to return to New Zealand, adding he had always been factual in keeping her advised of his whereabouts since his release from San Quentin in 1929; that on the birth of Ford’s son by this woman, Ford’s birth was listed as New Zealand.
It is also noted Ford also claims to have been born on February 25, 1891 in Portland, Oregon, to Zared and Beatrice Ford who were born in Hawaii. Investigative efforts to verify this were negative.
[Last paragraph redacted]
3–Bureau (RM)
1–105-63642 (WALLACE DODD FORD)
2–Chicago
1–100-33683 (Wallace Dodd Ford)
Author’s Note: The following memorandum is from the FBI’s Detroit field office, and was not released until June 1995. It was a breakthrough of sorts, since it corroborates what scholars have argued for some time, namely that Elijah Muhammad and members of his family knew that Master Wallace D. Fard and Wallie D. Ford were one and the same.
(b)
Office Memorandum—United States Government
To: SAC (100-33683)
From: [Name Redacted], Correlation Clerk
Subject: W. D. Fard, with aliases Wali Farrad, Wallace Farad, Wallie D. Ford, Wallace Don Fard, Wali Mohammed, Farrad Mohammed, F. Mohammed-Ali, Mohammed F. Ali
Internal Security—Nation of Islam (NOI)
Attention: SA [name deleted]
(the majority of the first page is blackened out)
Miscellaneous
Nation of Islam
(page 2)
Willie Mohammed, 9536 Cameron, Detroit, Michigan
25-5888-1
Willie Mohammed, 9536 Cameron, Detroit advised SA’s [name redacted] and SA [name redacted] on July 3, 1942 that he was born August 5, 1891 near Sandersville, Georgia.
It should be noted that the subject of this file is Willie Mohammed, with aliases Willie Poole, Wali Mohammed.
Willie Mohammed advised that he met Wallace D. Farad in Detroit in 1931. Wallace D. Farad at that time was the leader and organizer of the Islam religion in Detroit. In 1933 or 1934, according to Mohammed, Wallace D. Farad was arrested by the Detroit Police Department and a short time thereafter left the community. None of the members of the Nation of Islam Temple Number One at Detroit have heard from Wallace D. Farad (Allah) since he left Detroit and they have no idea where he is at the present time. Willie advised that he had been acting minister of the Temple of Islam in Detroit since 1937, and David Fard, the secretary, had been secretary since 1934.
A photograph of Wallace D. Fard taken by the Detroit Police Department in 1933 was exhibited to Willie Mohammed, who immediately identified the picture as being, “My Sweet Savior, My All Powerful Allah.”
Willie admitted being a blood brother of Prophet Elijah who was under arrest in Washington, D.C. under the name of Gulam Bogans, charged with violation of the Selective Service for counseling, aiding and abetting evasion of registration for service as required under the act. Willie refused to sign a statement which was prepared by the agents.
III. FBI Memo Concerning COINTELPRO Measures in the Event of Elijah Muhammad’s Death
Author’s Note: On January 22, 1969, the FBI’s Chicago field office sent a lengthy memorandum to J. Edgar Hoover outlining past and possible future counterintelligence (COINTELPRO) measures to be employed against Elijah Muhammad and the NOI. The memo, which is self-explanatory, is one of the first declassified documents in which the government admits its role in causing the schism between Malcolm and Elijah Muhammad, a dispute that led to the former’s assassination. Prepared as a response to a query from FBI headquarters on January 7 (“reurlet” means “regarding your letter”), both memoranda are reprinted in full below.
(a)
United States Government
Date: January 7, 1969
From: SAC, Chicago (157-2209)
To: Director, FBI (100-448006)
Subject: Counterintelligence Program
Black Nationalist—Hate Groups
Racial Intelligence
(Nation of Islam)
Although the Nation of Islam (NOI) does not presently advocate violence by its members, the group does preach hatred of the white race and racial separatism. The membership of the NOI is organized and poses a real racial threat. The NOI is responsible for the largest black nationalist newspaper, which has been used by other black extremists.
The NOI appears to be the personal fiefdom of Elijah Muhammad. When he dies a power struggle can be expected and the NOI could change direction. We should be prepared for this eventuality. We should plan how to change the philosophy of the NOI to one of strictly religious and self-improvement orientation, deleting the race hatred and separate nationhood aspects.
In this connection Chicago should consider what counterintelligence action might be needed now or at the time of Elijah Muhammad’s death to bring about such a change in NOI philosophy. Important considerations should include the identity, strengths, and weaknesses, of any contenders for NOI leadership. What are the positions of our [high-level] informants in regard to leadership? How could potential leaders be turned or neutralized?
The alternative to changing the philosophy of the NOI is the destruction of the organization. This might be accomplished through generating factionalism among the contenders for Elijah Muhammad’s leadership or through legal action in probate court on his death. Chicago should consider the question of how to generate the factionalism necessary to destroy the NOI by splitting into several groups. [Rest of line redacted].
