Part III
Although the FBI under the leadership of J. Edgar Hoover was consistently hostile toward African-American militancy, the federal government’s policies toward the Nation of Islam were inconsistent. The FBI’s surveillance of Elijah Muhammad and his followers prior to the 1960s did not result from a widely shared perception among government officials that the Nation of Islam was subversive. Instead, it resulted from the determination of Hoover and other FBI officials to continue surveillance even without explicit authority. The Nation’s potential as a stimulus for revolutionary and seditious activities became evident to the FBI mainly as a result of the increasing prominence of Malcolm X and the increasing militancy and scale of black protests.
While Hoover and other Bureau officials saw the group as one of many types of subversive black militancy, other officials of the Justice Department were not convinced that the Muslims represented a serious threat. The 1975 Church Committee hearings on intelligence activities included a summary of the discussions between the FBI and Justice Department officials regarding the Nation of Islam. In 1952, the Bureau suggested adding the Muslims to the Attorney General’s list of subversive organizations, and the following year the Department of Justice concluded that the Nation of Islam would not be prosecuted under the anti-communist Smith Act but decided that “the group would under certain circumstances represent a serious threat to our national security.” In 1954, the Justice Department decided against prosecuting the Nation for conspiracy to violate the Selective Service Act. In 1955, the Justice officials responded inconclusively to the FBI’s request for advice on whether Muslim activists should remain on the Security Index. In 1959, the Department indicated to Hoover that it did not support prosecution of the Nation or designation on the Attorney General’s list. In 1960, according to testimony before the Church Committee, the Department advised that the group was not subversive as defined by the employee security program. However, the FBI was requested to continue its investigation of the group.
Hoover noted on the bottom of that memorandum, after he received it, that Justice was “just stalling.”
During the 1960s, Justice Department officials questioned whether Elijah Muhammad’s prophesies constitute subversive threats but did not request that the FBI discontinue its investigation of the Nation of Islam. Without explicit instructions from Justice Department officials, the FBI continued to compile information on the Muslims until after the death of Elijah Muhammad.1
The following documents are selected from the large body of FBI records that refer to Malcolm X. They have been edited to eliminate repetitive material and some material from non-FBI sources, such as newspaper articles on Malcolm X. The Bureau opened its file on Malcolm X shortly after his release from prison in March, 1953 and in 1958 designated him “a key figure” as a result of his increasing national visibility. Even after his assassination, the Bureau continued to refer to Malcolm in its reports, especially after 1966, when the Bureau broadened the focus of its COINTELPRO from leftist organizations to include “Black nationalist-hate groups.”
The file is divided into 19 sections, chronologically arranged. Included in the reports are Malcolm’s personal correspondence, reports of speeches and sermons, and transcripts of radio and television interviews.
Before releasing this file, the Federal Bureau of Investigation deleted numerous passages in accordance with exemptions allowed under the Freedom of Information Act. The specific reasons for many deleted passages are indicated by the references to subsections of Title 5, United States Code, Section 552. Thus, deleted sections with the following references were withheld because they were deemed to meet the following criteria:
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b2 |
—related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of an agency. |
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b7 |
—(c) could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. |
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—(d) could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source, including a State, local, or foreign agency or authority or any private institution which furnished information on a confidential basis, and, in the case of a record or information compiled by a criminal law enforcement authority in the course of a criminal investigation, or by an agency conducted a lawful national security intelligence investigation, information furnished by a confidential source.2 |
1. United States Senate, Hearings before the Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities, v. 6, Federal Bureau of Investigation, testimony of Frederick A. O. Schwarz, Jr., November 18, 1975, p. 37–39.
2. From “Explanation of Exemptions” obtained from the FBI’s public reading room.
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REPORTS: |
1. May 4, 1953. Boston 2. March 16, 1954. Detroit 3. September 7, 1954. New York 4. November 18, 1954. Philadelphia 5. January 28, 1955. New York |
Suspecting that Malcolm X had communist sympathies, the FBI began its surveillance of him in 1953. The Bureau apparently became concerned about Malcolm because of a June 1950 letter, in which Malcolm stated that he had “always been a Communist.” The first two reports reprinted below are labeled “Security Matter-C,” but the FBI file increasingly focuses on Malcolm’s affiliation with the Nation of Islam (NOI) rather than the possibility of leftist political activity.
In addition to background information—aliases, prison record, places of residence, and employment—the reports in this section describe Malcolm’s attitudes during the initial period of his affiliation with the Nation of Islam (NOI). Particularly interesting are three letters that a confidential source gave the FBI, the last of which might be the letter addressed to that confidential source. This apologetic note, written in January 1951, may have been part of an effort by Malcolm to convince a corrections officer that he should be granted parole later that year. However, this wish was denied, and Malcolm had to wait until 1952.
As the file continues, the FBI reports reflect Malcolm’s increasing prominence in the Nation of Islam by detailing events of early 1954, when he was “traveling about the United States making contacts with the various Temples of the Muslim Cult of Islam” (MCI). The September 7 report indicates that during January and February of 1954, Malcolm increased his speaking appearances at Temple No. 7 in New York City, calling for “greater hatred on the part of the cult towards the white race.” The November 18 report shows that Malcolm had by this time established his residence in New York City and had begun to deliver speeches at Temple No. 7 with stronger political content. His autobiography indicates that he was officially the Minister of Temple No. 11 in Boston early in 1954 but had moved to Philadelphia’s Temple No. 12 in March. The FBI could not keep up with these rapid changes, but the file does corroborate Malcolm’s autobiographical account of his becoming Minister of New York City’s Temple No. 7 by the summer of 1954.
The final report of this section contains more background on Malcolm, the NOI (MCI) and the Fruit of Islam (FOI), the all-male, military guard unit of the NOI. The report concludes with an account of one of only two interviews which the FBI conducted with Malcolm. In it, he admitted membership in New York’s Temple No. 7 but not in any other Temples. He spoke about Elijah Muhammad and the Muslim movement but “was very uncooperative” by refusing to elaborate on the infrastructure of the NOI.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
This case originated at: Detroit
Report made at: Boston
Date when made: 5/4/53
Period for which made: 3/20;4/1,3,6/53
Report made by: SA [BUREAU DELETION] b7C
Title: MALCOLM K. LITTLE, was Malachi Shabazz;
“Rhythm Red” Little; “Detroit Red” Little; Jack Carlton
Character of case: Security Matter-C; Security Matter-MCI
SYNOPSIS OF FACTS:
Subject resides at 4336 Williams Street, Inkster, Michigan. Subject claimed in June, 1950, that he was a Communist and during September, 1952, he indicated membership in the Muslim Cult of Islam.
DETAILS:
This investigation was predicated upon information received from [BUREAU DELETION] Norfolk, Massachusetts, to the effect that the Subject [BUREAU DELETION] had written two letters that included comments on Communism.
I. BACKGROUND
Birth
[BUREAU DELETION] the Subject was born May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, and is a citizen by virtue of his birth. Employment
Information received from Boston Informant [BUREAU DELETION] of known reliability, reflects the Subject is presently unemployed.
Residence
[BUREAU DELETION] Subject resides at the home of his brother at 4336 Williams Street, Inkster, Michigan.
Military Service
[BUREAU DELETION] Massachusetts State Prison, Charlestown, Massachusetts, advised Subject’s Selective Service status had been verified by prison authorities during the late 1940s and information obtained from Selective Service records reflected Subject was registered with Local Board No. 59, New York, New York, and classified 4-F.
Status of Health
Information received from [BUREAU DELETION] reflects Subject is under a doctor’s care at the present time. The nature or extent of his illness is not known.
Criminal
[BUREAU DELETION] Subject was sentenced to serve 8 to 10 years on a charge of breaking and entering in the nighttime and that he began this sentence February 27, 1946. [BUREAU DELETION] Subject was eligible for parole May 29, 1951, but was denied parole at that time.
On September 23, 1953 [BUREAU DELETION] Norfolk Prison Colony, Massachusetts, stated Subject is a former inmate and had been paroled in care of Michigan parole authorities on August 7, 1952.
The following record was obtained from [BUREAU DELETION] Massachusetts State Board of Probation, Boston, Massachusetts, the central repository for all arrest records in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
Credit
The records of the Credit Bureau [BUREAU DELETION] contained no reference to Subject.
II. COMMUNIST PARTY ACTIVITIES
The Communist Party has been cited by the Attorney General of the United States as coming within the purview of Executive Order 9835.
[BUREAU DELETION] several excerpts from letters written by Subject. [BUREAU DELETION] these excerpts were not quotes but rather notes jotted down [BUREAU DELETION] on the contents of these letters.
On June 29, 1950, the Subject mailed a letter.
Editors Note. The file indicates that an unidentified source copied out sentences from this letter. In one of them Malcolm states that he has always been a Communist. In World War II, Malcolm says, he attempted to enlist in the Japanese Army, with the result that he will now never be drafted into the U.S. Army. He adds that it’s not difficult to convince anyone that he’s crazy since everyone has always said he was anyway.
In January, 1952 [BUREAU DELETION] Subject had been visited by [BUREAU DELETION] a member of the Crispus Attucks Club of the American Youth for Democracy. The AYD has been cited by the Attorney General of the United States as coming within the purview of Executive Order 9835.
There is no further information concerning the Subject’s Communist activities in Boston.
MUSLIM CULT OF ISLAM
[BUREAU DELETION] the Muslim Cult of Islam, which is also known as the Allah Temple of Islam, is a religious cult whose members regard Allah as their supreme being and claim to be the direct descendants of the original race on earth. The members fanatically follow the teachings of Allah as interpreted by ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, the “true prophet of Allah” entitled titular head of the Muslim Cult of Islam in the United States, and believe that any civil law which conflicts with the Muslim law should be disobeyed. The members disavow their allegiance to the United States and pledge their allegiance only to Allah and do not consider it their duty to register for Selective Service or to serve in the United States Armed Forces as they cannot serve two masters. According to the teachings of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD and the cult’s ministers, the members of a minority race in the United States are not citizens of this country but are merely slaves of this country and will continue to be slaves until they free themselves by destroying non-Muslims and Christianity in the “War of Armageddon.”
[BUREAU DELETION] the cult teaches that the Korean War is a futile effort by the United States to prevent the coming Asiatic conquest of the world and the defeat of the United States in Korea is a prelude to the “resurrection” when North America and Great Britain will be doomed and the original man, led by Allah, will reign supreme.
[BUREAU DELETION] the following information taken from another letter of Subject of January 29, 1950:
It is better to be jailed by the devil for serving Allah than it is to be allowed by the devil to walk free. The black man has been enslaved. The time is coming for the devils to be destroyed.
On September 23, 1952, [BUREAU DELETION] provided SA [BUREAU DELETION] with three letters, one of which is addressed to him.
Editor’s Note. Of the three letters included in the file, the first two are written by Malcolm as Salaam Alaikum in the name of Allah and His Messenger, Elijah Muhammad; they are signed “Your Brother, Malachi Shabazz.” The names of the correspondents in both cases have been deleted by the FBI.
“This is the Day of Choosing (Separation),” Malcolm announces in the first letter, which he closes with a motto; “Each One teach One!!!”
In the second letter, “Stick close to the Muslims, “Malcolm admonishes, and risk ridicule, for it is “better to be laughed at and be safe from the storm [like Noah], than to be caught in the storm just because you didn’t want to be laughed at.”
The third letter, more personal in tone, is dated January 9, 1951. In it Malcolm apologizes to his correspondent, whose name has been deleted by the bureau, for past disruptive behavior “while under your jurisdiction.” Having asserted that “from here on in my words shall be of Love and Justice,” he concludes with this statement of his sincerity; “You have always spoke frankly to me, and treated me with squareness . . . so how could I ever be any other way except square and frank with you?” The letter is signed Malcolm K. Little.
[BUREAU DELETION] Muslims known to him either shave their hair or wear goatees.
According to records [BUREAU DELETION] the Subject wears chin whiskers.
DESCRIPTION
The following description of the Subject was obtained from the records [BUREAU DELETION]
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Name |
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, was Malachi Shabazz; “Rhythm Red”; “Detroit Red”; Jack Carlton |
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Date of Birth |
May 19, 1925 Omaha, Nebraska |
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Race |
Negro-mulatto |
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Sex |
Male |
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Residence |
4336 Williams Street Inkster, Michigan |
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Height |
6’ 3½” |
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Weight |
180 lbs. |
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Build |
Slender |
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Hair |
Black |
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Eyes |
Brown |
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Complexion |
Light |
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Scars & |
1” scar from right eye to nose; ½” scar below |
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Marks |
left elbow |
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Peculiarities |
Confirmed user of marijuana; wears chin whiskers and mustache |
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Employment |
Cut Rate Department Store 8940 Oakland Avenue Inkster, Michigan (Presently unemployed) |
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Marital |
Single |
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Status |
|
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Nationality |
American |
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FBI No. |
4282299 |
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Social Security |
No. 376 16 3427 |
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
This case originated at: Detroit, Michigan
Report made at: Detroit, Michigan
Date when made: 3/16/54
Period for which made: 2/5,8,9,10,11,23,24/54
Report made by: SA [BUREAU DELETION] b7C
Title: CHANGED:
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, was Malachi Shabazz; “Rhythm Red”; “Detroit Red”; Jack Carlton; Malcolm X Little Character of case: Security Matter-C; Security Matter-MCI
SUMMARY REPORT:
Subject presently traveling about United States making contacts with various temples of the Muslim Cult of Islam. Receives mail at 18887 Keystone, Detroit, Michigan. Subject, [BUREAU DELETION] wrote letters indicating he was a Communist. [BUREAU DELETION] Subject wrote letters indicating membership in Muslim Cult of Islam. Subject reported in attendance at various Muslim Cult of Islam meetings in Detroit from February, 1953 to June, 1953. Criminal record and description set out.
The title of this case is being marked changed to include the alias Malcolm X Little, by which name the Subject is known in the Muslim Cult of Islam.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
This case originated at: Philadelphia
Report made at: New York
Date when made: 9/7/54
Period for which made: 8/24,25,27/54
Report made by: SA [BUREAU DELETION] b7C
Title: MALCOLM K. LITTLE, was Brother Malcolm X
Character of case: Security Matter-MCI
SYNOPSIS OF FACTS:
[BUREAU DELETION] the subject attended meetings of the MCI, Temple No. 7, NYC, during January, 1954. [BUREAU DELETION] subject was a tour leader for the NYC Temple No. 7 at the Chicago Convention of the Cult in February, 1954. [BUREAU DELETION] subject was in attendance at Temple No. 7 and was enthusiastically going over the teachings of the cult. [BUREAU DELETION] the subject has openly spoken against the “white devils” and has encouraged greater hatred on the part of the cult towards the white race. [BUREAU DELETION] that the subject resides in Philadelphia and rents a room at 2535 Humphrey Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York when he is in the city.
DETAILS:
Brother MALCOLM LITTLE of the Cult’s Temple at Boston, Massachusetts was a guest speaker at the Muslim Cult of Islam (MCI) meeting on January 8, 1954. [BUREAU DELETION] the subject had suggested that all members start a recruitment of younger members to go to the future meetings of the MCI.
[BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE was in attendance at the New York Temple quite regularly and [BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE is going over the teachings of the Muslim Cult from the beginning. [BUREAU DELETION] the subject was very enthusiastic about discussing any basic or elementary lessons with the Muslim members in an attempt to influence the Negroes in their interest about their faith.
[BUREAU DELETION] the new minister for Temple No. 7 is an individual known as MALCOLM.
[BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM X had stated that he had recently been transferred from the Philadelphia area to replace the former minister who had traveled from Washington to handle the duties of the minister in the New York area. He advised that MALCOLM X appeared to be more educated than other members of the cult and was a very convincing speaker. He advised that during the course of some of the subject’s talks, he had openly spoken against the “white devils” and had encouraged greater hatred on the part of the cult towards the white race.
[BUREAU DELETION] during one of the sermons given by MALCOLM X, he told the audience that he had once served in a federal penitentiary and stated that he was quite proud of the fact that he was chosen to serve time in the federal penitentiary for his beliefs in the Muslim doctrine. [BUREAU DELETION] the subject had encouraged the members to deem it an honor and a privilege to be called upon by the prophet to spend time in the federal penitentiary because of their religious beliefs.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
This case originated at: New York
Report made at: Philadelphia
Date when made: 11/18/54
Period for which made: 10/12,21,29;11/3,4,8,10/54
Report made by: SA [BUREAU DELETION] b7C
Title: MALCOLM K. LITTLE, was
Character of case: Security Matter-MCI
SYNOPSIS OF FACTS
Subject resides at 2535 Humphrey Street, East Elmhurst, New York. [BUREAU DELETION] Minister of MCI Temple at Philadelphia and New York; has made numerous speeches at MCI meetings indicating a knowledge of the aims and purposes of the MCI; attended numerous meetings of MCI at Philadelphia during period March, 1954, to present. Description set forth.
[BUREAU DELETION] the subject spoke at a meeting of the MCI [BUREAU DELETION] and stated that Genghis Khan and Attila the Hun and many others had started to remove the devil before the devil’s time was up. LITTLE explained to his audience that the war now taking shape is a race war and in this race war women, children, and old men will be killed. In any other kind of war, either political or economic, the destruction of all members of a particular group is not necessary because a person’s political and economic beliefs can be changed. In the case of a race war, however, no such change can be effected and it is necessary, therefore, to kill the children of the opposing races as well as the adults.
The subject spoke at a meeting of the MCI [BUREAU DELETION] and stated that he was being followed by the FBI and had been questioned by them because they are frantic to stop the teaching of Islam. LITTLE stated that there is nothing that the FBI could do to stop the spreading of the message that the white man is the devil and the black man is God. [BUREAU DELETION]
Speeches made indicating understanding of the aims and purposes of the MCI
The subject spoke at a meeting of the MCI [BUREAU DELETION] and stated that the black man in the East is “kicking out” the white man and soon the white man will be kicked out of Europe and the only place he will be able to go is North America where he will be destroyed.
[BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION] the subject spoke at a meeting of the MCI [BUREAU DELETION] and told those assembled that the only thing the white man will let the Negro own is a saloon or a church and if the Negro does not get drunk in the saloon, he can get drunk in the Christian church. According to LITTLE, the Christian preachers are getting paid to deceive the black man by teaching him what the devil (white man) wants him to learn. LITTLE stated that the white man knows that if the black man in North America learned about Islam, then it would be time for the white man to be destroyed.
[BUREAU DELETION]
The subject was present at a meeting of the MCI [BUREAU DELETION] and told those assembled that not only ELIJAH MUHAMMAD teaches that this government is going to be destroyed but also teaches that all white people all over the earth are going to be destroyed. According to LITTLE, the War of Armageddon is starting in the East and America knows that the Bible prophecy is being fulfilled and they are the lost children of the so-called American Negro. LITTLE stated that the white man knows that he is going to be destroyed and that is why he keeps watch over the American black man.
[BUREAU DELETION] the subject spoke at a meeting of the MCI [BUREAU DELETION] and told those assembled that the ministers of Christianity teach many fallacious theories and tell many lies and are the hirelings of the white man and do his bidding. According to MALCOLM, the King James version of the Bible was an interpretation made by King James in order to continue the devil in power and is false.
[BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION] the subject spoke at a meeting of the MCI [BUREAU DELETION] and stated that nowhere else than in the Temple of Islam is it told that the white man is the devil and that nowhere else is it told that the black man is the God of the earth and the only supreme being. In addition, LITTLE advised that the white man was allotted six hundred years to rule and that time came to an end in 1914. Ever since that time the white man has been having trouble, yet there are many colored people who still love the white man and will be destroyed with him because they love him so. According to the subject, the Mau Mau in Kenya, South Africa, had to first kill many of their black brothers who insisted on protecting their white enslavers, and this too will happen in North America.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
This case originated at: New York
Report made at: New York
Date when made: 1/28/55
Period for which made: 11/3,4,8,18,19,22,23,29; 12/1,3,6,9,13,20,23,27,28,/54;1/3,10,11,14,17,21/55
Report made by: SA [BUREAU DELETION] b7C
Title: MALCOLM K. LITTLE, was
Character of case: Security Matter-MCI
DETAILS:
[BUREAU DELETION]
BACKGROUND
Birth
[BUREAU DELETION] of the Bureau of Vital Statistics, Douglas County, Health Department, 1201 South 42nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska, made available file A39357 which reflects that MALCOLM LITTLE was born at the University Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska on May 19, 1925. The parents were listed as EARLY LITTLE, who was born in the State of Georgia, and LOUISE NORTON LITTLE, who was born in the West Indies. Both parents, as well as the subject, were listed as of the Negro race and at the time of the birth were listed as residing at 3448 Pinkney Street, Omaha, Nebraska. Education
[BUREAU DELETION] the subject had indicated he had eight years in an elementary school and had three years of high school as of July 15, 1943.
Service in the Armed Forces
[BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE had registered at Local Board 59 of New York City on June 1, 1943 while residing at 2460 Seventh Avenue, Apartment 31, New York City. [BUREAU DELETION] on October 25, 1943 the subject was found mentally disqualified for military service for the following reasons: psychopathic personality inadequate, sexual perversion, psychiatric rejection. Subject was classified 4F on December 4, 1944.
Residence
On January 10, 1955 the subject stated he resides at 25–35 Humphrey Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York, at the home of CURTIS and SUSIE KENNER.
Employment
[BUREAU DELETION] the subject was a full-time minister of the New York Temple No. 7 of the Muslim Cult of Islam (MCI) at New York City and at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
[BUREAU DELETION] the subject is a minister of the MCI Temple No. 7, 102 West 116th Street, New York City, and was devoting his full time to the MCI.
Information Concerning the Muslim Cult of Islam (MCI)
[BUREAU DELETION] the MCI, also known as the Temple of Islam and the Allah Temple of Islam, is an organization composed entirely of Negroes, which was reportedly organized around 1930 in Detroit, Michigan. The national leader and founder is ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, who claims to have been sent by ALLAH, the supreme being, to lead the Negroes out of slavery in the United States.
Members fanatically follow the alleged teachings of ALLAH, as interpreted by MUHAMMAD, and disavow allegiance to the United States. Members pledge allegiance only to ALLAH and Islam and believe any civil law which conflicts with Muslim law should be disobeyed. The Cult teaches that members of the dark-skinned race cannot be considered citizens of the United States since they are in slavery in this country, and, therefore, must free themselves by destroying non-Muslims and Christianity in the “War of Armageddon.” For this purpose, the Cult has a military branch called the Fruit of Islam (FOI) composed of all-male, able-bodied members, who participate in military drill and judo training.
Members of the Cult also believe that they are directly related to all Asiatic races, and any conflict involving any Asiatic nation and a Western nation is considered a part of the War of Armageddon, in which the Asiatic nation will be victorious.
Meetings and Speeches Made by the Subject at
MCI Meetings, Temple No. 7, Which is Presently
Located at 102 West 116th Street, New York City
[BUREAU DELETION] at a meeting of the MCI Temple No. 7, New York City, [BUREAU DELETION] the Minister MALCOLM LITTLE was the main speaker. LITTLE spoke on the lines of racial hatred, always referring to the while race as being “the white devils.” LITTLE compared President EISENHOWER to Pharaoh of Egypt in the biblical days and compared ELIJAH MUHAMMAD of Chicago, Illinois, as to Moses. He stated that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is going to lead the “black race” out of slavery in the United States as Moses did the “Jews” in Egypt. LITTLE stated that President EISENHOWER is nothing more than a Pharaoh of the United States and is keeping the “black man” in slavery in the United States. LITTLE stated that the Muslims do not allow any “white devils” in this temple. They just allow their own kind to meet and that the Muslim Temple is only for Negroes.
[BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE was the principal speaker at a MCI meeting at Temple No. 7 [BUREAU DELETION]. LITTLE spoke about the white race being the “devil.” LITTLE claimed that the “white devils” from foreign countries could just walk into the United States and automatically become citizens but the “black men” could be born in the United States and are not treated as citizens.
[BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM claimed that he had first heard of Islam while he was in jail. LITTLE stated he had studied in jail and had been teaching Islam since his release. LITTLE made statements that the United States Constitution does not protect the “black man” and now they, referring to the United States government, are passing the “civil rights bill” which will not help the “black man” either.
[BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE was the main speaker at the MCI meeting. [BUREAU DELETION] that LITTLE spoke about the “white man” as being the “devil” and made statements that the United States government could pass a bill overnight but cannot even pass a “civil rights bill” in years. LITTLE claimed that all the “white devils” are being chased out of Asia by the “black man” and that they are all coming to the United States.
LITTLE told this group that there was a space ship forty miles up which was built by the wise men of the East and in this space ship there are a number of smaller space ships and each one is loaded with bombs. LITTLE stated that when ELIJAH MUHAMMAD of Chicago, Illinois, gives the word these ships will descend on the United States, bomb it and destroy all the “white devils.” According to LITTLE these bombs will destroy all the “devils” in the United States and that all the Muslims in good standing will be spared. LITTLE claimed that their Prophet ELIJAH MUHAMMAD was sent to the United States twenty years ago to save the “black people.”
[BUREAU DELETION] the Minister MALCOLM LITTLE was the main speaker at [BUREAU DELETION] of Temple No. 7 [BUREAU DELETION] and that LITTLE’s talk was of the usual nature of hatred of the white race. [BUREAU DELETION] that LITTLE had a clipping from the Daily News, a New York daily newspaper, which had headlines in regard to the jailing of eleven fliers by the Chinese. [BUREAU DELETION] LITTLE held up this article for the entire group to see and stated that the “Chinese Reds are not Communists but are black people.” LITTLE stated that Red China has told all the “white devils” to get out. LITTLE stated that the world is waking up and that all the “black nations” are rising and running the “devil” out. LITTLE compared the black man in the United States to JOSEPH of the Bible being sold into slavery by his brothers.
[BUREAU DELETION] Minister MALCOLM LITTLE was the speaker at the meeting of Temple No. 7 [BUREAU DELETION] LITTLE spoke along the lines of the so-called religious aspects of the Cult and made comparisons of the “black man’s” accomplishments and the evils of the “white devils.” LITTLE exhibited a newspaper clipping from the Washington Post which contained an article by a Professor O’CONNOR. LITTLE explained that this article by O’CONNOR reflected that Jesus Christ was a black man and LITTLE explained to the group that all the prophets in the past had been black men and that there never had been white prophets.
[BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE was the principal speaker at the meeting [BUREAU DELETION] at which time LITTLE expounded upon the origin of the white race, stating that it was created by YACOB and it took six thousand years to create the “white devil.” LITTLE stated this was obtained by breeding the white-skinned and yellow-skinned races and that when the black-skinned babies were born they were killed off and it took six thousand years to accomplish the creation of the present-day “white devil.”
During this meeting LITTLE explained that the guards of the Temple are soldiers in the army and that when the war is started these guards are duty-bound to see all churches are destroyed. LITTLE made the statement that they would chop your head off too if you do not believe in the teachings of Islam. LITTLE stated that the members are “fools” if they put on the uniform of the “white devil’s army.”
LITTLE stated, however, he was not telling them not to do so, [BUREAU DELETION] it was indicated from the theme of LITTLE‘s talk that it would not be along the Muslim lines for an individual to serve in the armed forces of the United States.
[BUREAU DELETION] in regards to the overthrow of the government, MALCOLM LITTLE had made statements to the effect that it was expected that the Negro race would be the rulers of the world and it had been indicated that the white man’s rule in the United States would end with the year 1955. [BUREAU DELETION] they continuously referred to the Battle of Armageddon and that it had been explained that this Battle would be between the “black man” and the “white man.”
Meetings and Speeches Made by Subject at the
“Temple of Islam” 1643 North Bailey Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
[BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE, the Minister of the New York Temple and the Philadelphia Temple was in charge of the meeting [BUREAU DELETION]. LITTLE expounded on the transportation arrangements for the members of the Cult to go to Chicago, Illinois, on February 26, 1955, which is the Muslim holiday known as “Savior’s Day.” LITTLE also welcomed new members at this meeting and appointed an assistant minister to preside in LITTLE’s absence.
[BUREAU DELETION] the Minister MALCOLM LITTLE was the speaker at the [BUREAU DELETION] meeting [BUREAU DELETION]. MALCOLM spoke along the usual tirade, but in a more violent manner than usual. MALCOLM‘s speech reflected the theme that the destruction of the “devil” or white man is imminent and that the black people all over the world are conscious of this fact. MALCOLM presented two newspaper articles to prove that this is a time of change and that the War of Armageddon when the Gods are to destroy the devil is here. MALCOLM also related to the group that you will be sent to Korea and Japan and all over the world to fight to help the “devil” to stay in power but that there is no power that can save him as it is the will of Allah that he must be destroyed in accordance with his word.
[BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM LITTLE spoke at the meeting [BUREAU DELETION] at Philadelphia Temple. [BUREAU DELETION] LITTLE related the Muslim teachings in regard to slave traders and the Negro as a slave in the United States. LITTLE also related alleged mistreatment of Negroes in the United States by the white race.
[BUREAU DELETION] the Minister MALCOLM was a speaker at a meeting [BUREAU DELETION] at the Philadelphia Temple. MALCOLM expounded on the white race being the “devil” and claims to be teaching the truth about the “black man” in the United States. MALCOLM stated that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is standing up in this wicked government, referring to the United States government, and telling you the truth that has been hidden from you so long.
Interview of MALCOLM LITTLE on
January 10, 1955
In an interview on January 10, 1955, MALCOLM LITTLE advised SAs [BUREAU DELETION] and [BUREAU DELETION] that he resides at 25–35 Humphrey Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York, at the home of CURTIS and SUSIE KENNER.
The subject readily admitted membership in the MCI Temple No. 7, New York City, but would not admit that he was the minister or teacher of Temple No. 7, New York City. Subject would not admit that he was affiliated with the MCI Temple in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, nor would he admit membership in the Detroit and Boston Temples.
The subject was uncooperative in this interview. He refused to furnish any information concerning the officers, names of members, to furnish doctrines or beliefs of the MCI or family background data on himself.
The subject stated that he believes in all the teachings of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD of Chicago, Illinois, and that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD was his leader and that he considered ELIJAH MUHAMMAD superior to all. Subject considered the “Nation of Islam” higher and greater than the United States government. He claimed that Allah is God, the supreme being, and that ELIJAH MUHAMMAD is the greatest prophet of all, being the last and greatest Apostle.
When questioned concerning alleged teachings or racial hatred of the MCI, he stated they do not teach hatred but the truth, that the “black man” has been enslaved in the United States by the “white man” and that no one could dispute it. LITTLE stated that the “black man” has died for the “white man” all over the world. He described the “black man” who respects the United States government as “Uncle Tom” in that they have considered the white man and his government first and placed themselves in a secondary position.
When subject was questioned concerning whether he would serve in the United States armed forces and if he would defend the United States against an attacking enemy he would not answer. He stated that no one could look in the future so he contended that he would not know what he would do if the above events would happen. The subject would not answer as to whether he considered himself a citizen of the United States.
When asked if he considered the MCI a government as well as a religion the subject would not answer. When asked if he considered himself and the Negro race in slavery in the United States by the white man, the subject remarked that you would have to only read the history books in the library to know that they are in slavery.
When he was questioned concerning the War of Armageddon, he remarked that the Bible states this will be when God destroys the devil. When asked how the MCI was going to participate in this war, he would not answer. When asked what the FOI and military training was for, he stated this was to teach the members to be upright and righteous. Subject claimed that Muslims are peaceful and they do not have guns and ammunition and they do not even carry knives.
The subject did, however, admit that during World War II he had admired the Japanese people and soldiers and that he would have liked to join the Japanese Army at that time. The subject claims to have never been a member of the Communist Party or the American Youth for Democracy or to have known anyone who was associated with it.
The American Youth for Democracy and the Communist Party have been designated by the Attorney General of the United States pursuant to Executive Order 10450.