The legacy of Noble Drew Ali, the founder of the Moorish Science Temple of America (M.S.T. of A.), is one of divine purpose, national awakening, and tragic betrayal. His mission was clear: to uplift fallen humanity, particularly those misnomered as “Negro, Black, or Colored,” and to restore their birthrights as Moorish Americans, descendants of the ancient Moabites. At the heart of this mission was succession — a divine order intended to preserve the integrity of the Moorish movement. That successor was E. Mealy El, whom Noble Drew Ali publicly appointed as Supreme Grand Sheik and instructed to carry forth the work.
Yet, history records a dark deviation from that divine instruction.
The Appointment of E. Mealy El
Noble Drew Ali, before his suspicious death in 1929, made clear statements regarding the leadership succession. He stated, “When I am gone, watch the newspapers and listen to your leaders. One will rise who will lead you back to me.” Historical records and oral traditions within the Moorish community confirm that E. Mealy El was entrusted with the administrative and spiritual reins of the movement. As Supreme Grand Sheik and Chairman of the Moorish Science Temple of America, Mealy El was a staunch follower of Drew Ali and was known to walk closely with him, absorbing the Prophet’s teachings and directives.
However, with Drew Ali’s untimely death — under suspicious circumstances — power-hungry elements within the Temple moved quickly.
The Conspiracy: Kirkman Bey, Nelson Bey, and Blakey Bey
Charles Kirkman Bey, F. Nelson Bey, and J. Blakey Bey formed a triangle of betrayal. These men, aligned with external forces — including elements within the U.S. government — manipulated the fragile state of the Moorish Science Temple following Drew Ali’s death. Their actions not only sidelined Mealy El but led to the legal and spiritual fragmentation of the Temple itself.
Evidence suggests that these individuals played roles in both the Prophet’s demise and the subsequent splintering of the Moorish movement. Rather than supporting Mealy El, they created factions, reorganized charters, and presented themselves as successors without divine authorization. The power grab culminated in the division of the Temple into competing grand bodies, each claiming legitimacy while distancing themselves from the Prophet’s intended line of succession.
Government Interference
It is no coincidence that this occurred during the rise of J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI, which heavily surveilled and infiltrated Black nationalist and Moorish groups. The U.S. government had every reason to dismantle a movement that asserted sovereignty, declared a national identity, and rejected the labels of “Negro” or “colored.” Drew Ali’s teachings threatened the legal and psychological framework that kept Moors disenfranchised. By supporting the rise of non-appointed leaders and fueling internal conflict, the state found a convenient way to neutralize a rising national movement.
Modern Moors: A Reawakening
Despite the betrayal, the flame of the Moorish Science Temple of America was not extinguished — merely scattered. In our time, Moors like Taj Tarik Bey, Professor Hakim Bey, and cultural truth-tellers like Red Pill are rekindling that ancient flame. Their scholarship, lectures, and street wisdom have disrupted the old guard’s complacency. The so-called “elders” who were complicit in stagnation or co-opted by outside interests are being forced to step aside.
These contemporary Moors bring sharp analysis, historical clarity, and revolutionary tools to uplift the people once again. They are helping Moors navigate the modern matrix — from law and status correction to metaphysics, finance, and consciousness. They are building bridges between the Moorish Science Temple, the Nation of Islam, and the Nation of Gods and Earths — reuniting the fragmented family that originated from one divine seed.
Conclusion: Restoring the Temple
The story of E. Mealy El is not just a tale of betrayal — it is a call to action. It reminds all Moors that unity must be rooted in divine law, not personality or politics. As we rebuild the Moorish Nation under the banner of Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom, and Justice, we must restore rightful leadership, uncover hidden truths, and heal old wounds.
Let the record show: Noble Drew Ali appointed E. Mealy El. The betrayal that followed was a spiritual and political coup. But the Moors are rising again. And this time, we are armed with the truth.
Peace and power to the Moors.
