Description:

ELIJAH MUHAMMAD
(1897 - 1975) A co-founder of the Nation of Islam, Muhammad was imprisoned from 1941 to 1947 for his opposition to the draft, but after his release he became largely responsible for the growth of the Black Muslim movement in this country. Fine content typed letter, signed by Muhammad in blue ink at the conclusion, 1p. 8 1/2" x 11", Oct. 23, 1963 and sent from Phoenix to Professor Alphonso Pinkney of Hunter College in New York. In full: "I think it is best to forget about the study you would like to make among us until such time you are able to study it more in the way of self-interest. I am not so willing to lose time on my own people who want to write something on us, yet are not ready to accept what they are writing for themselves. The mission Allah gave me to deliver to my people is not to be commerciliazed [sic] on. It is the same type of message that the Prophets Noah, Lot, Abraham and Moses delivered to their people; A warning to separate from the people God will destroy, and flee for refuge in Allah. This is the basic message that I am delivering today to the so-called American Negroes." Muhammad signs at the conclusion in blue ink, adding the typed title "Messenger of Allah". Also present is a second letter to Pinkney from Muhammad''s secretary, Bernard Cushmeer, dated June 4, 1963, in full: "This will acknowledge your letter of May 29, 1963 to The Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Mr. Muhammad asked me to please inform you that it is all right with him that you give your desired questionnaires to the Believers or Muslims of New York." Both letters are accompanied by their original transmittal envelopes, and bear original folds, otherwise in fine condition. Alphonso Pinkney was a professor of African-American history, and wrote such books as "Black Americans" and "The Myth of Black Progress".

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April 7, 2017 2:00 PM EDT
Brooklyn, NY, US

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