ELIJAH MUHAMMAD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED CHECK 06/07/1971 - HFSID 84465

ELIJAH MUHAMMAD
The Minster of Islam signs on a check for $6,177.00, drawn from The honorable Elijah Muhammad's Poor Fund account
Check signed: "Elijah Muhammad", 7½x3. Chicago, Illinois, 1971 June 7. Check No. 137, drawn on the account of "The Honorable/Elijah Muhammad's (sic) Poor Fund" at the Amalgamated Trust & Savings Bank payable to Amalgamated Trust and Savings Bank for $6,177. Elijah Muhammad (1897-1975) led the Black separatist religious movement known as the Nation of Islam. The son of sharecroppers and former slaves, Muhammad moved to Detroit in 1923 where, around 1930, he became assistant minister to the founder of the sect, Wallace D. Fard, at Temple No. 1. When Fard disappeared in 1934, Muhammad succeeded him as head of the movement, with the title "Minister of Islam". Because of dissension within the Detroit temple, he moved to Chicago, where he established Temple No. 2. During WWII, he advised followers to avoid the draft, resulting in him being charged with violating the Selective Service Act and jailed (1942-1946). Muhammad slowly built up the membership of the Black Muslims. His program called for the establishment of a separate nation for Black Americans and the adoption of a religion based on the worship of Allah and the belief that Blacks are His chosen people. In 1963, Elijah Muhammad named Malcolm X as the first national minister of the Black Muslims, although Malcolm X broke with him the following year to form his own religious group. In his later years, Muhammad moderated his anti-white tone and stressed self-help among Blacks rather than confrontation between the races. Bank stamp touches the "El" of Elijah and runs between the "ah". Ink notes (unknown hand) at lower margin on front and at upper left corner of verso. Otherwise, fine condition. Framed in Gallery of History style: 23¼x18¾.