Our Sheik Rafi Sharif Ali Bey has returned from his journey through the dark lands
of purification, mellifuous of voice and strong in spirit. Exude love to him and say
a special prayer for our beloved sister Marian who is mystically joined
forever with our
Sheik in a way that only Marian could accomplish.
We love you Marian.
Some things sufi...
And a most unusual evening...
FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF UPLIFTING FALLEN HUMANITY, LOOK WITHIN...
OUR Moorish Science is derived from the Light of the Holy Koran ("HK") of the Noble Order Temples of Sufi and Moorish Science ("NOTSMS"), and is both spiritual and universal, bringing into unity, esoteric Sufi Islam as manifested in the Noble Order, esoteric Gnostic Christianity as expressed in the Order of the Resurrection, together with these and other Cabalistic, hermetic, yogic, and astrological traditions as synthesized and given literary and artistic expression in the Moorish Orthodox Church.
Now united in the Moorish Temple, the "new current" Noble Moors follow in the steps of the Master Jesus of Nazareth revealed by Noble Drew Ali, founder of the Moorish movement in the "Circle Seven" ("HK-MSTA") which leads the true seekers in the "missing years" travels to the world power centers of faith. Jesus exchanged initiation by degree and demonstration with fellow Adepts of the Silent Brotherhood. This is the true spiritual work of the Moorish Divine movement.
Another major focus of the movement is National Salvation for Moorish-Americans, by means of proclaiming their true nationality and obtaining the rights of full citizens. The NOTSMS has remained fixed upon the need for land reclamation and legal objectives for recognition by the governments of the land, while the "new current" Moors, many of whom hold true nationalities from birth, have dived into the Circle Seven seeking pearls of Divine Wisdom. The special purpose of the Noble Order from its inception on July 7, 1957, has been to broaden the Moorish movement beyond ghetto borders through the uniting of Asia - bringing other Asian nationalities into the Circle. the new Moorish League must go further and unite humanity under the collective higher wisdom. Our Moorish current gathers the worthy ones and carries them by Holy Initiation through all of the world's esoteric paths to the single ocean of Divine Unity.
We call on all Moors to "Learn to Love Instead of Hate" and to root themselves and communities solely upon Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom and Justice.--Sheik Rafi Sharif Ali Bey, Regent ML
The Iraq Foundation is sponsoring a new project, Eden Again, for the restoration of the southern marshes of Iraq. The environmental and military campaign desiccated the marshlands, destroyed the environment, burnt villages, and drove hundreds of thousands of the indigenous ma'dan population into external exile or internal displacement. This project is significant for its human, environmental and historical impact. For those of us who have dreamed of Mesopotania since childhood it is an unbelievable possibility. Once into the Eden Again site take a look at the July 2004 newsletter for an up-to-date assessment of the project. Also, the Get Involved link takes you to information for making a tax-deductible donation. No donation is too small.
EXCITING BREAKING NEWS! 19 March 2004:
National Gallery of Art presents
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum
East Building, Upper Level
18 July 2004 - 6 February 2005.
Image: Among the most famous of all Islamic carpets, Ardabil Carpet, Safavid period, 1539-40, is housed at Victoria and Albert Museum. Let us pray it will travel with the exhibition as there are only two in the world.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Houses 12,000 objects of Islamic art.
Benaki Museum, Athens
The Benaki Museum's collection of Islamic art
ranks among the most important in the world.
Khalili Collections of Islamic Art
With holdings of more than 20,000 objects documenting
the entire artistic production of the Islamic lands over a
period of some 1400 years, the Khalili Collection now
ranks among the best in the world.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
On-line Introduction to Islamic Art
(The Museum's galleries for Islamic Art will be closed
for the next several years due to reconstruction.)
IRAQI ARTISTS GET A CLEAN CANVAS
Qassem Alsabti, owner of the Hawar Art Gallery, paints on a board set up for artists in Baghdad.
Photo: Anthony Shadid - The Washington Post
While looking at a site entitled Arabeyes, a Meta project that is aimed at fully supporting the Arabic language in the Unix/Linux environment designed to be a central location to standardize the Arabization process (Arabeyes relies on voluntary contributions by computer professionals and enthusiasts all over the world for those of you who might have something to contribute), I discovered the absolutely incredible modern Arabic calligraphy of Hassan Massoudy, who designed the calligraphic logo for Arabeyes. Please take the time to look at this beautiful work.
Travel if you aim for certain values.
By traveling the skies, the crescent becomes a full moon.
The link above provides a rare edition of the Koran Questions for Moorish Americans originally published by Father Mohammed Bey of Kansas City, Kansas, and more recently republished by Amid Ahari El of Chicago, Illinois. Father Mohammed Bey was an early follower of Prophet Noble Drew Ali and historic records do not clearly show who he supported as successor to the Prophet. He started his temple circa 1933 and Amid Ahari El's research to date shows that he likely branched off before C. Kirkman Bey declared himself the Sultan and Supreme Moderator and Advisor. Like Prophet Noble Drew Ali he tried to carry the movement into Mexico, circa 1938, and even made a trip there to buy land for a Moorish homestead. Very little is known about this period of Moorish American history. Amid Ahari El hopes that the republishing of this work might urge former followers and associates of Father Mohammed Bey to come forward and fill in the gaps of this period of Moorish American history.
In the 1950's in the Baltimore/DC area, some white poets and jazz musicians came into contact with the Science Temple and acquired passports. They formed another offshoot of Moorish Science, the Moorish Orthodox Church of America. At that early stage, the M.O.C. was seen as partly Moorish and partly Eastern Orthodox, and there existed certain ties with "Errant Bishops" of the Old Catholic Church, Syrian Orthodoxy, etc. Some of these founding fathers drifted eventually into Sunni Islam, others remained faithful to the M.O.C. and friendly to the Science Temple.
In the early 1960's on Manhattan's Upper West Side, one of the youngest of these, Walid al-Taha (Warren Tartaglia), jazz saxaphonist and author of "The Hundred Seeds of Beirut", initiated some friends into the Church shortly before his tragic death (in his early 20's). A new temple was established in a basement on 103rd street off Broadway, along with a head shop "The Crypt," and a Moorish Science Reading Room. The Church maintained a M.O.C. Motorcycle Club at various neighborhood garages, and a campsite of 123 acres was acquired in northern New York. Close ties were formed with the Ananda Ashram in upstate New York. Members in Baltimore renewed ties with elders and missionaries of the Moorish Science Temple, including the Moorish Governor of Maryland, who ran a junk shop that smelled of rose attar and woodstove smoke, and talked like a Persian poet from Alabama -- an echo, no doubt, of Noble Drew's own perfect Moorish Voice. Ties were formed with the M.S.T. in Brooklyn, which provided copies of The Circle Seven Koran, Catechisms, etc.
I'm flowing under bridges
Then flying through the sky
I'm traveling down cold metal
Just a tear in a baby's eye
Let me flow into the ocean
Let me get back to the sea
Let me be stormy and let me be calm
Let the tide in and set me free
I'm remembering distant memories
Recalling other names
Rippling over canyons
And boiling in the train
Let me flow into the ocean
Let me get back to the sea
Let me be stormy and let me be calm
Let the tide in and set me free
I wanna drown in cold water...
--Peter Townsend, verses from Drowned, a modern Sufi love poem compliments of Uncle Charlie
"My songs are about love and liberty, like rock 'n' roll, like flamenco. It's a cry of love. We are ambassadors, messengers of love and peace. In music, there are artists who sing about love, who sing about life, artists who make you dance and artists who make you laugh. Me, I'm coming from those artists who make people laugh and talk about love." --Cheb Khaled
Cheb Khaled, known as the king of Rai, has not been able to live in Algeria the last few years as Rai is not very popular among Islamic fundamentalists. He is currently living in Paris.
The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan
--This photograph, a still from the undercover documentary
"Inside Afghanistan: Behind the Veil" by Saira Shah, is of a teenager
whose home was taken by the Taliban at which time she witnessed the murder
of her mother. She and her two young sisters were kept there for two days by the
Taliban. She will not say what occurred during their occupation, but I think her
beautiful, incredibly sad eyes speak; her tears are ours as well. Courtesy of RAWA
DIMENSIONS OF MOORISH SCIENCE
An Aid to Guidance
What is Moorish Science? In the Library of Congress of the Moorish League, there is a video of Supreme Grand Sheik P. Davis El speaking on the subject "Are Moorish-Americans Real Moslems?" In this video, available through the loan system, the Grand Sheik who represents MST of A No. 1, the original Temple in Chicago, compares Moorish Science and Islam from an official "orthodox" Moorish Science perspective. We thought it would be useful to also address the question of Moorish Science and religion from the New Current perspective as well. We most humbly undertake this task for the benefit of all Noble moors and those seeking Truth...
Part 1: Moorish Science and Religious Systems
A. Moorish Sources. Within Moorish Science, there are concepts which have been defined in the questionnaire and in numerous speeches by Moorish leaders, some of which are available in writing and audio-visual cassettes. Chapter XXXV in the HK, Holy Instructions from the Prophet-Religion consists of thirty verses; and there are many other verses regarding religion and the spiritual path in the Holy Koran that are interrelated and present a consistent teaching on this subject.
B. Islam. The religion brought by Prophet Muhammad, based upon the Holy Qur'an and traditions of the prophet is practiced by eight billion persons of all races and nationalities. This faith is based on the revealed Arabic scripture and the practices demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad were not transmitted to the NOTSMS, and are generally not practiced by Moorish-Americans unless they make an individual decision to become an orthodox "Muslim." However, many principles - such as knowledge and attributes of ALLAH - did enter Moorish Science so that its adherents were called "Moslems." In fact, whenever a faith enters a new culture, it takes a different form. Many Moors have chosen to follow orthodox Islam while retaining their free national name and pursuing the Moorish "National" program. It is possible to belong to both temple and mosque. Few persons have studied sufficiently to grasp the reality of the Moorish Science faith, which Noble Drew Ali called the religion of "Islamism" to distinguish it from "Islam."
C. Black Muslims. Those of this movement, which has its roots in the MST of A, use more of the Arabic terminology to appear to be orthodox Muslims. Those who went with Warithuddin Muhammad certainly are, while for the most part those under Minister Farrakhan do not practice Islam in the universal manner and in no way approximate Moorish Science. This is more of a political and national movement, and falls short of many Divine teachings of Noble Drew Ali. Therefore a Moorish-American could not in good faith participate in this organization which refers to humans as "black" and "white" and does not emphasize the need to learn to love instead of hate.
D. Christianity. The origins of Christianity which are discussed in Chapter 46 of the HK, are complex. Though Jesus is the central figure of the HK, he is in no way teaching the religion of Rome, but rather in the above-mentioned chapter, Drew Ali has "returned" the church to Rome. Jesus meets with Masters of many lands and both instructs them and is instructed by them. Said instructions form the foundations of the true Moorish Science, and can be said to encompass therefore all religions. Christians are limited, for the most part, because they take the Nazarene to be the exclusive master and savior for all the times and climes. As we know, ALLAH has blessed every Nation with a messenger. As we live in a Christian society, it would be most difficult to participate in a church as a Moorish-American, except for the mystical teaching as expressed in the Moorish Orthodox Church.
E. Mysticism. There is at the core of every faith, the inner wisdom often referred to as mysticism. In Truth, Moorish Science embodies the mystic tradition and can best be related to ANY religion by comparing it in the favorable light of its mystic core. This is the KEY discovered by the Founders of the Noble Order, and the concept followed in the Moorish New Current. In Islam, the mystic path is referred to as the SUFI path, and beyond all forms and rituals, moorish Science can best be identified with the Sufi tradition of Islam. That is why, in its 2nd and 3rd Epochs, the name of the Noble Order was changed to the Noble Order of Mystic Sufis, and the Sufi symbol of the winged heart was adopted and by permission given to Sharif Bey from Pir Musharraf Khan and to Hakim Bey by Pir Wilayat Inayat Khan. These masters were of the Sufi Order of the West, which aligns itself by its teachings with Moorish Science, even more than the traditional Islamic Sufi Orders. With a due undertanding and appreciation of mysticism and with initiation and guidance, a Moorish-American could certainly participate in the practices of any mystical community, especially a Sufi order. As in all such matters, it is wise to receive guidance from the Noble Order.
I breathe another time
eye a stone in the wind
it's nothing
nothing
hands hard and empty
a swallow falls
falling through smokey air
sickle moon
above the evening fog
grey ropes in the trees
Light crosses
hatched light
across my path
I move through the light
of another time
edge of the moon
cutting the shadowy flesh
eye of a bird falling
falling
a stone in the wind
it's nothing
nothing
ropes in the trees...
--Zaim G Fatah El © 2000
F. Eastern Systems. For the most part, the mystical path in all of the Eastern faiths are very beneficial to pursue for personal development. Many of the masters of the Secret Brotherhood were from these traditions, such as those of the Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu. Among the Sikhs, for example, is the path of Sant Mat that brings one to the sound current. There are many practices of Yoga, such as hatha yoga, which build the physical body through meditation, and chanting. A true seeker who experiences the Presence of ALLAH will have a mystical experience of The Truth under the masters of these systems. They seldom require membership and provide a peaceful atmosphere to go deeply within.
G. Masonry. Masonic Science is aligned with Moorish Science in its basic conceptions and knowledge of the Divine. Masonry has been a tremendous force in our Nation and is respected, without the limitations of religious dogma. However, as in all things, it is the spiritual and esoteric understanding of Masonry alone that has appeal and validity in the houses of Moorish Science. Initiation into Masonic degrees followed by serious study of the mystical understandings through appropriate channels could only be helpful to the Moorish-American.
Moorish Science encompasses all systems of spirituality and esoteric sciences. The Adept Chamber is the proper place in the Temple for collective consideration of the various paths of knowledge and their connection with Moorish Science. The leaders of the Noble Order have always encouraged its members to undertake the Travels of the Nazarene and to discover the truly Universal quality of Moorish Science. The same is being extended through the Moorish League along with advancement on the Sufi paths.--Sheik Rafi Sharif Ali Bey, Regent ML
It does not interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It does not interest me how old you are.
I want to know now if you will risk looking like a fool for love,
for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.
It does not interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of your sorrow,
if you have been opened by Life's Betrayals
or if you have become shriveled and closed from the fear of future pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain; mine or your own,
without moving to hide it, or fade it or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own,
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning to be careful, realistic,
or to remember the limitations of being human.
It does not interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithful and, therefore, be trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not present every day.
And, if you can source your own life from ITS presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine,
and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon "YES."
It does not interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair,
weary and bruised to the bone,
and do what needs to be done for the Children.
It does not interest me who you know or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me
and not shrink back.
It does not interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside,
when all else falls away,
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself,
and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.
--Oriahe Mountain Dreamer, Indian Elder © 1997
Let us pray with our innocent brothers and sisters who are living in the belly of the monster...
Photograph © photojournalist James Nachtwey/TIME
A NEW RESTAURANT IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA:
Keanu Reeves as Neo in The Matrix Reloaded
Photograph © May 2003 Jason Boland-Warner Brothers
Webmistress: Farah Valentine Bey, Amida
Samarkand Province V of the Noble Order
Temples of Sufi and Moorish Science
(At Age Seventeen)
Auparavant, je méconnaissais mon compagnon
comme si nous n'avions pas la même croyance.
À présent, mon coeur est capable de toute image:
Il est prairie pour les gazelles, cloître pour les moines,
Temple pour les idoles, Kaâba pour les pèlerins,
Tables de la Thora et livre Saint du Coran.
L'Amour seul est ma religion.
Partout où se dirige ses montures,
L'Amour est ma religion et ma foi.
-- Ibn'Arabî: ODE
© 2001-2005