Table Talk With an Ancient Free and Accepted Mason: My Views on Dr. Malachi Z. York and Black Freemasonry

Table Talk With an Ancient Free and Accepted Mason: My Views on Dr. Malachi Z. York and Black Freemasonry

by Fahim A. Knight-EL

This blog came about due to an interesting dialog this writer has had with a gentlemen named Brother Kedar Griffo, a Masonic Brother who is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masonic Order; he stated he belonged to Essene #2 Most Worshipful Zoser Grand Lodge, A.F.&A.M; Wisconsin, MI (I am assuming he meant two separate States Wisconsin and Michigan as the locations of Zoser Grand Lodge). I Google searched the said Grand Lodge and could not locate any information on this so-called Masonic entity.

There is a Prince Hall Masonic brother named Zachary Gremillion out of Louisiana who authored one of the most profound books that I have ever read on Freemasonry titled, “The African Origins of Freemason” and he is the founder of a non-Masonic Order called Imperial Cushite Order, Ancient Grand Lodge of Khamet, which attracts Black Masons and conscious brothers and sisters who have come to the conclusion that although Prince Hall Masonry, in particular and Masonry in general, serves a purpose it is not suffice in the scheme of going to the root of Freemasonry and uncovering the ancient symbols, relics and rituals that had their origin in Kush and Kemet. I do consider myself a member of Imperial Cushite Order, Ancient Grand Lodge of Khamet and after conversing with brother Gremillion, I consider him to be a credible individual. Here is the link to the Order’s website http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CushiteMasterBuilders/ . (Reference: Zachary P. Gremillion; “African Origins of Freemasonry”).

Also, I am in contact with many, many Freemasons from around the world and last year I met one brother of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (AF&AM) named Joseph Ferguson and we have had constant dialog ever since. We have shared Masonic thoughts on various aspects of Speculative Freemasonry. Thus, on April 9, 2009 he sent me an email asking me my opinion on Dr. Malachi Z. York and in part this article was sparked by brother Ferguson’s enquiry. He is the Worshipful Master of an AF&AM lodge in Dallas, Texas and he did not blink an eye in extending me an invitation to sit in open lodge. I consider Brother Ferguson a friend and we are not caught up in the AF&AM and F&AM debate—I see him only as a brother Mason and I am quite sure he views me in the same light.

Nevertheless, let me digress no more; Brother Kedar Griffo had read my article titled, "Let There Be Light: There is no Brotherly Love between Black Masons and White Masons" which was published by a Masonic Internet Web magazine called Journey to the East http://masoniceducation.blogspot.com/2008/01/is-there-no-help-for-poor-widows-son-by_18.html and It has been placed in the library archives of the United Grand Lodge of England. Brother Kedar took issue with me on certain points that I had written but I will allow my readers to read his words and my responses relative to this conversation. Also, I am not going to rehash the article in this introductory section, but if my readers are interested in the article just access my Keeping It Real Think Tank blog. (Reference: Corey D. B. Walker “A Noble Fight: African American Freemasonry and the Struggle for Democracy in America”).

I suspect that Brother Kedar Griffo is a member of the Nuwaubian Nation under the leadership of Dr. Malachi Z. York because he seemed very passionate and defensive about the philosophy, mission and how Dr. York was being perceived by outsiders such as myself. This discussion being viewed in the larger context is about Freemasonry within the United States and within the smaller discussion it is about Black Freemasonry and Dr. Malachi Z. York and the Nuwaubian Nation—their worldview relative to black freemasonry. (Reference: Malachi Z. York; “The Book of Light”).

Brother Kedar whom I must admit was fair in his critique and evaluation of my article; although, there were many points, which we disagreed. This writer does not know if this Grand Lodge which he claimed to belong even exist and/or if it does whether or not it would be considered “regular”, "irregular" or "clandestine" (I am using these terms rather loosely) Masonic entity. It really does not matter to me because most Masonic Jurisdictions and this includes Prince Hall Masons have focused to much on legality and/or chitchat of which groups have the right to Masonic legitimacy.

Malachi Z. York (born Dwight York born on June 26, 1945) was either a former member (this statement is more hearsay) or a sympathizer of the Nation of Islam under the leadership of the most Honorable Elijah Muhammad in the late 1960s or early 1970s. York was once a member of the Black Panther Party and there is no doubt that Panthers founders Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale were influenced by the Nation of Islam, in particular by Minister Malcolm X. York established the Ansar Pure Sufi which transitioned into a Black Nationalist group called the Nubian Islamic Hebrews.

His philosophy represented a synthesizing of the teachings of Black Muslim theology and Black Hebrew Israelite philosophy, which evolved into a larger, but distinct group called Ansaaru Allah (translate helpers of God) Community, a nationalistic Orthodox Sunni Islamic movement based in Brooklyn, New York. I will not try assess and evaluate the many personal name changes that Malachi Z. York has gone through and the many organizational philosophical transitions his movement and organization have made over the years. They are to numerous to name and to complex to comprehend. (Reference: Peter Lamborn Wilson: Sacred Drift: Essays on the Margins of Islam”).

He taught that he was a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (pbuh) and Caliphate Ali Ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) of Arabia 1400 years ago and he also tied him self as a direct descendent to the Sudanese Royal Mahdi family (Muhammad Ahmad Al-Mahdi 1884-1885). York made a number of pilgrimages to Sudan and Egypt in the 1970s and 1980s and was so-called embraced by the high Imams of Sudan, Africa as a descendent of Muhammad Ahmad Al-Mahdi where he so-called studied mystic Sufi Islam and Shia Islam. (Reference: Allah Jihad; “The Immortal Birth”).

York's critics and pundits perhaps would view this enigmatic leader as being an atypical cult leader and personality who was a charismatic leader that manipulated the innocence of his gullible followers—the Savior syndrome mentality led to blind devoutness. Dr. York has written some very enlighten and insightful scrolls (books and knowledge); in fact he has probably authored over five hundred books and manuscripts on various philosophical, theological and esoteric topics. I have a number of his books in my library and he does gives some good historical information and he has a keen knowledge of theology (I respect his level of intelligence and his ability to uncover knowledge, but I disagree with the Savior complex). (Reference: Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips; "The Ansar Cult in America").

I believe it was in the late 1980s or the very early 1990s in which the larger Orthodox Sunni Muslim Community in New York labeled him as a fraud and hypocrite and that he was not teaching the true principles of Al-Islam. There was a Muslim scholar named Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips who wrote a book titled, "The Ansar Cult in America" exposing Dr. York who at that time went by the name of Imam Isa Al-Haadi-Mahdi, as a pseudo Islamic leader who was pimping and hustling his followers. York countered Phillips book with a book of his own titled, “The Cult: Rebuttal to the Slanders”. (Reference: Malachi Z. York; “360 Questions to Ask an Orthodox Sunni Muslim).

This antagonistic relationship with the broader Islamic Community frustrated Dr. York. York who eventually renounced Islam, as well as Christianity and Judaism (Hebrew) and started studying and teaching Ancient Egypt (Kemet) or Kemetic Science and took great interest in the pyramid builders. He also started studying Freemasonry and claimed to have been raised in the 1970s in a Masonic Grand Lodge Jurisdiction of New York, but I do not think his Masonic credentials were ever verified.

Brother Ezekiel M. Bey, Grand Historian of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York; quoted Dr. York as stating: “I was Initiated (Masonry) in 1970 at Masonic, King Solomon Lodge No. 4; 1215 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn, New York. Then I (York) was passed at Enoch Lodge on Putnam and Nostrand Ave. in Brooklyn and raised at the same under Worshipful Master Charles Tensely 33rd degree. I was crossed at Mecca 11 Desert Georgia, oasis Macon by Noble T.W. Smith Jr. 33rd/95 degrees. . . (Ezekiel M. Bey asked) Are you aware of the legality of Grand lodges? These Grand lodges operate illegally when it comes to Masonic authority. Enoch was a break off from Hiram Grand lodge, which was set up by John G. Jones who was a suspended Mason from the Most Worshipful Grand lodge of Illinois.” (Reference: Allah Jihad; “The Immortal Birth”) and (Reference: Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips; "The Ansar Cult in America").

However, Bro. Kedar stated, “Dr York got his charter from the Pride of Georgia, he did not just arbitrarily decide to jump into freemasonry and create a lodge. You sir have it all wrong again, that's why I keep saying to you, do your own research and stop relying on others to instruct you. Therefore to set the records straight Ramses II was affiliate with the Pride of Georgia. Now you must remember there are 1000s of Nuwaubian men, so how easy would it have been to initiate, pass and raise these men and open up Grand Lodges. So it was done.

But do not let any of this contradictory information of whether or not if York was a legitimate Freemason mislead you. He perhaps could have walked to all the Masonic alters and gave the signs, words, and tokens for all the degrees from the 1st degree to 33rd degree represented in the United Supreme Council, as well as run circles around most learned Masonic scholars and philosophers of all the Masonic houses. (Reference: Malachi Z. York: “Debates About Freemasonry”—Series Book 12).

I kid you not, none of the present day Masonic intelligencer would have been a credible foe or match for York’s in depth knowledge and wisdom. Thus, this writer believes he had acquired some of the knowledge from Cowan (A person who wishes to learn the secrets of Masonry without experiencing the rituals or going through the degrees) and eavesdropping by recruiting disgruntled Masonic brothers that betrayed their obligations and they gave him ritual books, Masonic monitors, code books and many instances taught York signs and passwords.

Yes, he knows all the signs, words and tokens and could give them with the utmost accuracy (he also was a great student of the ancient wisdom and writings—this level of study and the pursuit of knowledge separated him from most Masons because many after receiving the three Blue Lodge Degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason) often do not continue in their quest to delve deeper into the science of Speculative Freemasonry (this is truly a life journey of study). The true secret to Freemasonry is that there is no secret and it is opened to all who are willing search and do the knowledge. (Reference: Malachi Z. York; “The Nubian Islaamic Hebrews: Our Symbol”).

He founded two Masonic type Orders called the Ancient Mystic Order of Melchizedek and the Ancient Egiptian Order." Dr. Malachi Z. York served as the Supreme Grand Master, but I still do not believe that he had a legitimate charter or dispensation to function as such. He purchased a huge track of land in a little small town called Edenton, Georgia in Putnam County and built small duplicate structures of the pyramids (Tama-Re) of Ancient Kemet (Egypt) where he continued to teach various philosophies. (Reference: Malachi Z. York; “Sacred Tablets of Tama-Re”).

Many of his followers lived on the compound under a communal setting. York called his new group Nuwabians and he began to teach that blacks were descendants of the Native Americans and Moors of Africa. He adopted two new names to reflect this ideological transition—Nayya Malachizodoq-El, and Chief Black Eagle. He understood that the Native Americans were a recognized nation of people within the U.S. and the Moors both had legitimate legal grievances (signed under President Woodrow Wilson incorporating Moorish Science Temple of America as a legal entity)) in which the United States jurisprudence system had been forced to entertain. For example, these nations of original "Americans" had a right to legal sovereignty and Dr. York desired to use these two ethnic and nationality claims to acquire certain lawful rights and privileges for his black Nuwabian Nation that was guaranteed under United States Law. (Reference: Malachi Z. York; “The Constitution of the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors (UNNM) ).

I believe he was a highly intelligent man, but absolute power, absolutely corrupts. He was accused of various charges of having sex with minor age girls at his compound and he is now serving a 135 years sentence at the Super Max Federal Prison in Colorado for allegedly committing these unlawful acts. However, this writer knows that the United States Government has never abandoned its tactics and strategy of Cointelpro (imprisoning militant black leadership, assassinations, disrupting black organizations, sending agent provocateurs spies and stool pigeons to neutralize their effectiveness, etc.) which former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover implemented in the 1960s and 1970s against militant, radical and progressive black leadership and black organizations. Many in the black community believe that Dr. York was a victim of a U.S. Government conspiracy. (Reference: Zecharia Sitchin; “The Wars of the Gods and the Men”).

The advancement of Speculative Masonic science is a dying art and as opposed to these various Masonic entities focusing on meaningful things such as expanding Masonic research; they have relegated their focus to arguing whether not a Masonic entity has a legal charter to function. However, this writer would assume that to the Masonic Craft this perhaps would be an important and relevant issue of discussion. This writer has edited the various email correspondence in order to put this discussion in some format in which to share this dialog with my blog audience. This first article will represent part 1 and part 2 of this discussion and I am hoping to find the time to present you with perhaps a part 3 of this discussion in the near future. This article or format is based on question and answer. (Reference: Robert Lomas; “Turning the Hiram Key: The Rituals of Freemasonry Revealed”).

Brother Kedar Stated: "I'm sure that is true, but putting aside racism. Prince Hall still was not issued a grand charter to execute the full by-laws from the GL of England (UGLE) therefore they still would be considered irregular and/or clandestine."

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: There lies the problem you can not put aside racism which has translated into American style White Supremacy. Your statement implies we should casually overlook the root cause of American Masonic antagonism, which was created by a system of racism. This renders your overall analysis as being flawed because it was racism that fostered in the greatest crime ever committed in human history Chattel Slavery (1555-1865) relative to African people. Perhaps how white Masonic bodies view Prince Hall Masonry is more important to non-Prince Hall Mason than to those who are part of the Craft. Yes, the United Grand Lodge of England has recognized Prince Hall Masonic body as body of “regular” Mason. Please refer to brother Paul M. Bessel Website he is a Prince Hall Mason scholar who documents certain legal action as such: http://www.bessel.org/masrec/phaugle.htm (Reference: Joseph Walkes, Jr. “Black Square and Compass 200 Years of Prince Hall Masonry”).

Brother Kedar Stated: "All the great writers as you say were actually great Eurocentric researchers whose goal was to inform the masses that India was the true originator of all universal knowledge. With this said, it is understandable why men like Fard Muhammad called the African man, Asiatic Black Man because of India being on the continent of Asia. In the writings of Albert Pike, Manly P. Hall, and C.W. Leadbeater to name a few, they distinctively praise the Hindu ideology as the rightful owners of the Egyptian Mystery Schools. Moreover, Africans were not considered as able thinking humans keeping these authors from including blacks in the methodology of higher knowledge."

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: It really does not matter what conclusion they drew because our scholars have proving that Africa or Egypt (Kemet) and Ethiopia (Cush ) fed cultural enlightenment to the entire world. Dr. Ivan Van Sertima in his book titled, "Africa's Presences in Early Asia” and in his monumental book “They Came Before Columbus” and Drusillia Dunjee Houston in her book titled, "The Wonderful Ethiopians of the Ancient Cushite Empire" verifies that before the miscegenation onslaught these original people occupied what is called Asia and for that matter the entire planet. They were the original people of these lands and others long before the Indo-Europeans.

This could be visually seen in the Dravidian's (dark skinned Africans in India). Master Wali Fard Muhammad (1877-?) perhaps posed in his examination to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the most essential question: "Who is the Original Man?" (The Asiatic black man, the maker, the owner, cream of the planet earth, Father of Civilization, God of the Universe). Yes, the Asiatic Black man, in which these above scholars verifies that Muhammad understood something with much and far reaching historical implications. Brother Runoko Rashidi who authored a book titled, "The African Presence in Asia, Australia and the South Pacific" further validates the presences of the Asiatic Black man in these lands. (Reference: Zachary P. Gremillion; “African Origins of Freemasonry”).

Brother Kedar Stated:” I’m glad you agree, now when are we gonna see a symposium or simply a letter from you addressing this issue with the same vigor you addressed European masons. As it would seem to me, this would be your first focus and not chastising whites for not accepting you. Why not embrace all African Masons first, recognize your own first. We don't need Caucasians to acknowledge us publically, we already know they do but my other question is, why is it important to PHA to be recognized by Europeans? All the great scholars you've mentioned, Duse Ali, Marcus Garvey, Drew Ali, Elijah Muhammad didn't look to Europeans for approval, they did their own thing and was very successful at doing so.

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: No, you got it wrong Prince Hall Masons who are learned know and accept that Marcus Garvey, Noble Drew Ali and Elijah Muhammad were Prince Hall Masons (for the record this not a fact, but attained via deductive reasoning). How can we turn our backs on our Craft brothers who made tremendous contributions towards the advancement of black humanity. There are some and I am in communication with quite a few that have a thorough knowledge of self and fully accept these men call for freedom, justice and equality. You are talking to a Prince Hall Mason who accept these icons. Thus, all of them are my teachers. I think the door swings both ways; it is not just incumbent upon Prince Hall Masons to embrace other black Masons, but there should be an opportunity for a two-way dialog. (Reference: Keith Moore; “Moorish Circle 7: The Rise of the Islamic Faith Among Blacks in America and it's Masonic origins”).

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: I must say your point on this matter sounds a bit emotional. Perhaps you have some specific examples, which you are working from. I am open for dialog and I think it is unfair to characterize and charge an entire body of Prince Hall Masons of discriminating against other black Masons who are non-Prince Hall Masons, this is a huge stretch. No, what make you think that an institution that has been around since 1784 need white Masonic recognition (no this is not a fly by night organization). Our legitimacy was declared over 200 years ago and the United States Supreme Court in 1929 legally declared our sovereignty as a Masonic body. (Reference: David L. Gray; “Inside of Prince Hall”).

Bro. Kedar stated: Another point that is comical to me; the majority of PHA (Prince Hall Affiliated) do not know the proper passwords to the different degrees. Europeans could not pronounce Syretic and Ashuric words. Therefore some of the passwords in the rituals are wrong or are definitely mispronounced. PHA is following Caucasians who could not pronounce Arabic/Hebraic words when all they had to do was go back where it originated to find out the proper pronunciation and meaning. Yet they are following folks who don't know the words and their meanings themselves"

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: I do not think anyone that I know does not understand or think Prince Hall Masonry was not effected by Eurocentrism. I have told you in the other responses that some of your points are valid. This is one of those valid points. But lets be clear, Masonry and its language goes further back than 1717 into the Egyptian Mystery Schools (of Kemet). Hebrew and Arabic according Ra Un Nefer Amen in his book "Metu Neter" identifies the Kemites as communicating within the great temples with the highest of spiritual languages, which is the Metu Neter from which all languages sprung. The Mystery Schools predated Islam and Judaism (or Hebrew Israelite); thus, these are truly baby languages according to the scholars of linguistic. So not only has Prince Hall Masons been duped but show me a Masonic lodge that is giving the passwords—In the Metu Neter our original language. (Reference: Ra Un Nefer Amen; “Metu Neter: the Great Oracle of Tehuti and the Egyptian System of Spiritual Cultivation”).

Brother Kedar stated: I say absolutely PHA has bought into European Masonry and Eurocentric thought refer to the last paragraph above. This still doesn't negate the fact of stuff rolling down hill. As I read this email, I still find you holding on to the ideology of who is legit and who isn't.

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: My brother I can not determine who is considered a legitimate Mason (other than "yours for mine" and one being tried, never denied and ready to be tried again"). I have relationships with Masonic brothers who are AF&AM, International Free and Modern Masons and other Masonic lettering. Your statement has no basis with me; thus, I am not that shallow. This is what you are in denial of, the majority of your American and European lodges had bought into a Eurocentric Masonic ideology. I do not know any African Centered Masonic lodges. I am not saying they do not exist.

Brother Kedar stated: "Yes I'm sure some do give masonry a bad name, but so does PHA. What about the internal strife currently going on in PHA, please see the link here http://www.aeaonms.org/phpBBCMS/index.php. I am A.F & A.M. yet I’m defending the rights of all Africans to be treated just by their own. I included that I was A.F & A.M. in my signature block in my initial response. You are still giving a great effort to hold on to the Eurocentric ideology of charters, and the fact still remains the Honorable Prince Hall never received a charter to regularly administer degree work. Matter of fact the true knowledge is given from mouth to ear not book to eye so this statement means most Masons, PHA or other, are not Freemasons but well memorized book masons without true guidance from a master. Why does PHA not have their own rituals published in a book form?"

Fahim A. Knight-El Replied: Dr. Carter G. Woodson wrote a profound book in 1933 titled, "The Mis-Education of the Negro" the problem your are citing is systemic and its far beyond Prince Hall Masons. Our self-hatred did not start with Prince Hall Masonic contradiction; yet we all were bit from the same snake and there are Prince Hall Masons who are oblivious to the power of unity (Garvey said it best "One God, One Aim, One Destiny). This can get a little sticky because Masons communicate in "darkness" and "light" based on agreed signs, tokens, and words. How much would your book differ from Duncan Rituals, Lester Book Looking to the East or the Ecci? No, it is not about Prince Hall Masonry writing a ritual book; the Masonic symbolic language is universal and what good is it to alter this imperfect system just to say Prince Hall has its own ritual book. Prince Hall and AF&AM basically work the same ritual and this allows the three lettered and four lettered Masons to formerly recognize each other in accordance with our ancient principles. (Reference: Timothy Myers; “The Huevolution of Sacred Muur Science Past and Present: A Theoretical Compilation”).

Brother Kedar Stated: I'm sure this does exist, yet I'm also aware of brothers being made Masons who had/have not taken oaths, weren't initiated, passed nor raised. I.e. the late great MLK, Jr. by brothers of PHA John Wesley in Atlanta by them giving his widow the late Coretta Scott King a Masonic certificate. How should this be received? Or does his civic work eliminate the need for such? Also in the early 90's different PHA military lodges, i.e., Washington, would give all the degrees in one night. This practice was called a special and was administered by several Grand Inspector Generals.

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: Yes, only a Grand Master of a Masonic Jurisdiction can make a Mason on sight. This practice is not just germane to Prince Hall Masons. For example, AF&AM made former President Ronald Regan an honorary 33rd degree Mason. He did not go up the ladder of Scottish Rite or York Rite. Moreover, this practice is an old political practice where class and prestige have come into play and Masonic Jurisdictions have done this quite regularly throughout time. But your comments give off an implication that Prince Hall Masonry has done something that is un-Masonic. Upon a Mason being made a Mason on sight he is immediately giving the rights and privileges of any brother that is raised. Now! These are Masonic powers invested in the Grand Master and within the Masonic legal code. You are not a Prince Hall Mason (lol unless you were 'Healed"). Where is your primary source proof that a Prince Hall lodge dispensed 1-32 degrees in one night? (Reference: Robert I. Clegg; “Mackey’s Jurisprudence of Freemasonry”—revised the original book written by Albert G. Mackey; titled. “Jurisprudence of Freemasonry: The Written and Unwritten Laws of Freemasonry”).

Brother Kedar Stated: "Again, if Prince Hall is still irregular according to white lodges, then those white lodges are looking at prince hall as having Kinkos or Wal-Mart charters as well."

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: Will not revisit this point; refer to answer number one in this email.

Brother Kedar Stated: I'm glad you feel your God has sent you on a mission. I would hope that mission also entails embracing and accepting your own before you attempt to agitate, expose others. Or do you not feel those who are not Prince Hall are not your own and therefore outside of your god's will? You stated earlier you have the gift of the pen, how can you be encouraged to pen an article on accepting non Prince Hall masons? Should not one clean their house before accusing another?"

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: No doubt to whom much is giving, much is required and expected of. Yes my body of work speaks for itself. I sent you some samples of my Masonic writings. Please cite one African American AF&AM historian or social scientist that is writing on Masonic subjects comparative to my body of work that I sent you. I fully understand the importance of acquiring the knowledge of self. You perhaps did not have a clear picture of me and there are many Prince Hall Masons who think the same way that I do. The articles that I sent you will further deconstruct your argument and it is to teach us that we can not assume anything about anyone (we should not place people in a box; this is wrong and unacceptable).

Brother Kedar Stated: "LOL, I find it comical that he would ask them for join him but didn't ask his brothers (non Prince Hall) to join him first. Then after all is said and done, he was still rejected according to what you wrote below. So again, why keep trying to integrate them but reject those who look just like you do? As you stated below, you are still wearing the label of irregular and clandestine to Europeans, but your efforts have not turned you to your own self and kind for reconciliation and uniting. I find that disheartening. Do you feel it better to be accepted by Caucasian masons than being accepted by your brothers who are not PHA?"

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: It is my understanding that AF&AM is a multi-racial and multi-ethnic Masonic body; interpreted to meaning there are many black AF&AM Masons (unless you are telling me that the black and white AF&AM are split). The political overture was a formal alliance/recognition if you will between all AF&AM at least in our Masonic jurisdiction (this included recognition of black and white Masons). I did know we should have made a separate and apart resolution with African American Masons inside the AF&AM. Shed some light.Brother Kedar stated: "this was just in North Carolina what about PHA worldwide? Recognition is one thing, have they granted PHA a grand charter? Once again you fail to recognize Prince Hall was only given a charter for African Lodge #459 not any African Grand Lodge or Prince Hall Grand Lodge."

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: This is old and out dated argument. This matter has been Masonic and legally resolved. What is your point?Brother Kedar Stated: "Exactly, we don't have 20-30 more years of racism towards one's own race because they are not PHA."

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: This will require us working together as a people of African descendent to re-educate our people. This is just not a Prince Hall Masonic problem, but it is a pandemic problem that was directly related to 310 years of systematic brutality. Like Minister Malcolm X use to preach, we lost our names, our culture, our religion, our God and by the way we act many of us even lost our minds. You must understand racism is coupled by a system of power and institutions and it is carried out in a systematic objective manner relative to those two prone. Dr. Frances Cress Welsing explains the tentacles of white supremacy in her book titled, "The Isis Papers". Blacks do not fit into term of Racism (how can we; we are a powerless people). (Reference: Michael Bradley: “The Iceman Inheritance: Prehistoric Sources of Western Man’s Racism, Sexism and Aggression”).

Brother Kedar stated: "I disagree, the Koran/Quran does not state this. If Muhammad became the first Muslim, who witnessed his shahadah, according to tradition there was only He and Jibriyl (Gabriel), additionally, he wouldn't have said "Muhammadan Rasullah" as that would be speaking in the 2nd or 3rd person, he would have said "ana rasullah" meaning I am the messenger of Allah. Additionally the other four pillars are what makes a person a Muslim according to the Quran, although they are not listed all together the five pillars are the things that makes one a Muslim. Just taking a shadadah does not make one a Muslim, it puts one on the siratul mustaqim but does not fully translate into being one, just as being initiated and passed does not make one a Mason. All steps have to be taken."

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: I am not an Islamic Cleric, but you can not compare the Masonic ritual to one accepting the religion of Islam. This is what you missed in the original article; Islam is a religion and Freemasonry is a fraternity; it is liken to comparing apples to oranges. Religion is a personal matter and you learn very quickly in the lodge that there are two topics, which were off limit in theory—religion and politics. So I am not hear to argue religion. I got problems with organized religion period. (Reference: Mustafa El-Amin; Al-Islam, Christianity and Freemasonry). Brother

Kedar stated: "According to the book written by Dr. York, Rebuttal to the Slanders, he posted his birth certificate issued out of the state of Massachusetts and it doesn't state "Dwight York" it just says " York ". When was Dr. York a member of the Nation of Islam, what temple, what years? We do know Clarence Jowars Smith aka ALLAH of the 5% Nation was a member of the NOI and it's documented but where is the documentation on Dr. York. The Ansaar Allah community was more Shiite oriented because they accepted Ali as the rightful Khalifah, which is more in line with Shiite Islam as opposed to Sunni Islam which made Abu Bakr the Khalifah. I'm not sure who you're getting your information from, maybe Bilal Phillips but anyone who knows about so=called orthodox Islam knows one of the major differences between Shiite and Sunni Islam is about the rightful heir called in Islam Khalifah."

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: Perhaps Dr. York should have been more honest and forthcoming with his innocent followers. You see, I do not buy into the Savior syndrome complex. Yes, I have read Bilal Phillips work and I have read some of Dr. Malachi Z. York’s works and I guess you are subtly implying Dr. York is above critique. My brother these so-called Saviors are not above critical assessment and evaluation. The majority of York 's information resembles and in one sense a carbon copy of the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. This is undeniable; I have a clear understanding of the differences between Shia Islam and Sunni Islam. Please refer to the article I sent you titled, "Freemasonry and Islam: What do they Share?" It was not me who ran him out of New York , it was spearheaded by Imam Siraj Wahhaj. He signed his name as Reverend Dwight York in 1989; thus this is what he called himself. I guess it depends on which Dr. York you are referring to: I have known him as a Disco Singer, American Cowboy, Alien from another planet, Muslim—Sufi, Shia, Sunni, Hebrew Israelite, Moor, Native American, Grand Master of a Masonic Order, Teacher of Kemitic science, etc. He probably confused his followers more so than me and I am not being judgmental, but some of these cats are just religious hustlers and pimps. Now, he is incarcerated and Nuwabian movement is splintered and just about dead. They do no know which way to turn. Looking for the Savior to lead them.

Brother Kedar stated: “Would not the same titles of cult leaders be bestowed on Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Marcus Garvey, Noble Drew Ali and Elijah Muhammad based on the black leader model you mentioned above. The same goes for divine prophet or messenger. Additionally all Muslim Arabs teach that they are direct descendants of Muhammad, nothing new here. The Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad, of the Sudan taught he was a direct descendant of Muhammad, so if Dr York is related to the Sudanese Mahdi, then would he not be related to Muhammad as well? I also understand that the Prime minister of Sudan came to visit him in Brooklyn on numerous occasions, so that has to account for something as a Prime minister of a country (Sudan) is not some trivial government position, it is in fact almost like President. Would you not agree? So my question would be, how would a "cult leader" like York be able to convince a Prime Minister of the Sudan to come visit him in a ghetto like Brooklyn ? this is definitely not atypical."

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: Why did Dr. York abandoned his Islamic teachings and his so-called ethnic lineage to the Sudanese Mahdi family and Prophet Muhammad? I would not have had a problem with his ethnic heritage (he was just so contradictory). I know he had to lead us through different movements and organizations to get us to the ultimate truth. (lol). Cult if we can define it by Western definition perhaps would encompassed ancient civilizations such as Egypt (Kemet), China, India, Persia, etc., in which the majority of our present day religions, cultures, and sacrament rites proceeded, developed and evolved as we know it in the West from these various ancient societies. (Reference: Kersey Graves; “The World’s Sixteen Crucified Saviors).

Knight-EL continued: Our media perception of Cults are unfair, bias and possess negative implications, but religion is more or just as guilty of creating fanaticism, human division, war, extremism, intolerance, human suffering and doing it all in the name of God. There is one name for it, religious totalitarianism. Yes, Cults have inflicted similar acts of man’s inhumanity to man; but even in these instances religion is not permanently subjugated and dismissed as being inheritably evil and unredeemable. However, Cults that violates the so-called societal norms based on the political, economic and social rules that create similar infractions are doomed to a lifetime of ridicule and unacceptability. (Ungodly: Reference: Bill Osinski; “A True Story of Unprecedented Evil”).

Knight-EL continued: The more I gather my thoughts and how we define Cults, it is evident that the two—meaning organized religion and Cults share some similarities in the overall concept of religiosity and both are more closely akin to the mandate of having to unconditionally adhere to a set of agreed values that are closely guarded, which certain aspects isn't up for discussion and/or negotiation. However, in Western culture, we are taught, assuming that if a group or organization is defined and characterized as a Cult—there is a negative stigma or connotation attached and we automatically compartmentalize this to be something that has deviated from mainstream thought and function within the realm of a subculture or counter-culture. (Ungodly: Reference: Bill Osinski; “A True Story of Unprecedented Evil”).

Knight-EL continued: It was what the Western world perceives as Cults that gave life to religion, a lot of religious folklore and mythology teachings are steeped in the tradition and histories of Cults. There is little doubt in this writer's mind that the majority of our religions, if closely examined parallel more ancient civilizations. Cults have subtly bought into the language of definition as assigned by the status quo and as religion continues to gain societal momentum; the so-called Cults have not reminded the religious zealots that they owe them a debt of gratitude.Brother Kedar stated: "So is Dr. York considered a great writer? Or does he need to be considered scholarly within the Eurocentric school system and write articles that will be accepted as peer review?"

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: Those are you insecurities not mine.

Brother Kedar stated: "What are the true principles of Islam? Again I refer back to the Quran as guidance. It states five pillars, so if Dr. York told his students to follow the Quran then what is the problem. You also have to remember this is the same crowd that said The Honorable Elijah Muhammad (THEM) was not teaching "true" Islam. I’m sure they said the same thing about Noble Drew Ali. I read Bilal Phillips book and I also read the Rebuttal by Dr. York. Have you read the Rebuttal to the Slander's book? I think the same racism you tried to expose in Freemasonry is at the meat of this. In Dr. York’s books he makes all the Prophets/Angels black or in his people's image and Arabs have a problem with this. They are just as racist as Europeans. As they claim the Black stone in the Ka'aba was originally white and turned black because of the sin it absorbed. They claim Bilal was an Ethiopian slave and notice the Arabs attack dog is called Bilal Phillips. As if Muhammad was not black being he descended from Kedar who descended from Hagar the Egyptian. Additionally, does not the Quran say Adam was made from black mud, so how could Muhammad be a descendant of Adam and not be black or have black skin? So it doesn’t surprise me that they use someone like Bilal Philips a Muslim convert to attack Dr. York, but even in his attack he wasn't saying anything remotely related to what Dr. York teaches. I'm not privy to what Mr. Phillips exposed on Dr. York, maybe you can enlighten me on that one. Yet I do know about the racism in Islam. I have a friend I met in Turkey who made Hajj and while travelling in Bekka, he was treated poorly as they thought him to be an Ethiopian. So of course racist Arabs and their flunkies would try to silence anyone who is a black nationalist that speaks Arabic, translated the Torah, Injiyl and Quran. This person is definitely a threat to all fake religious leaders."

Fahim Knight-EL replied: I applaud Dr. York for giving us some magnificent religious and theological history. He connected the dots for me on many subjects. Thus, the Wahhabi Muslims influence is the ones that control the Islamic ideology in America and around the world because the corrupt Saudis have power over the Islamic funding. Yes, Islam has become more Arabism than Islam, but most Muslims want to overlook the Arab racism in Islam. However, wherever there exist a black and white dynamic through out the world; you will always find the dark skinned people subservient to the light skinned ruling class. I was personal friend to Minister Khallid Abdul Muhammad (former National Spokesman of the Nation of Islam under Minister Louis Farrakhan) and he traveled throughout the Middle East and North Africa; he shared with me how dark skinned Africans were treated negative in Mecca , Saudi Arabia during Hajj. So I agree with Dr. York on this issue. (Reference: Chancellor Williams; “The Destruction of Black Civilization: Great Issues of a Race from 4500 B.C. to 2000 A.D.”).

Brother Kedar stated: "Elijah Muhammad said he was a Mason, in what legally constituted lodge was he made one? The same goes for Noble Drew Ali. If Dr. York’s credentials are questioned then shouldn't all black leaders who claim to be masons be questioned with the same zeal? Or does this standard only apply Dr. York? If you look at the back of some of his older books, you would see the compass and square on the back of the older books. To my knowledge, he never denied being a Freemason. The name of the Masonic Lodge he founded was Ramses II as I know the first WM of that lodge and he said it was never called Celestial Lodge. I'm not sure of the legitimacy of the charter as I never viewed it. Yet again, I ask, has anyone seen the charter that THEM and Noble Drew Ali were initiated under? However I refer back to my earlier post about Freemasonry originating in Egypt .

Fahim Knight-EL replied: You are mixing up truth and falsehood here. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Prophet Noble Drew Ali did not found nor established a Masonic Order (Dr. York founded an Order and you and I know he had no charter other than what he made up). They both (Ali and Muhammad) were initiated in Prince Hall lodges; you can see the Masonic interdependency in both movements—the Nation of Islam and Moorish Science Temple of America. They both borrowed some of the Masonic rituals and teachings. (Reference: Yvonne Haddad and Jane Idleman Smith; “Mission to America: Five Islamic Sectarian Communities in North America”).

Brother Kedar stated: "Yes this sounds a lot like what Noble Drew Ali taught and I'm sure there are members of the MSTA (Moorish Science Temple of America) who are now Nuwaubians. Or was Dr. York a member of MSTA as it was claimed earlier that he was NOI since his doctrine closely resembled theirs? By the way, NOIs (Nation of Islam) doctrine resembles MSTA (Moorish Science Temple of America) doctrine, was Master Fard Muhammad a member of MSTA?"

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: Yes, Master Fard Muhammad and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad could have been affiliated with the Moorish Science Temple of America in some capacity. But there is no convincing evidence that they were. Some Moorish Science Temple of America brothers refer to Elijah Muhammad as Elijah Poole-Bey and they argue that Elijah Muhammad was a Moor. Dr. York was being a little more sophisticated than that; he understood the title of Moorish Sovereignty and comprehended the legality of the United States Constitution relative to the Moors—black’s nationality being Moorish American. He saw the bigger picture, i.e., land, reparations and an accepted Moorish nationality under the Caucasian legal system. So Dr. York-El Moorish connection wasn't about his loyalty to the teachings of Prophet Noble Drew Ali and the original Moorish Science Temple. This was more about a legal grievances and historical manipulation. (Reference: Isa Al-Mahdi—aka Malachi Z. York; “Who is Nobel Drew Ali?).

Brother Kedar stated: "Yes I’m aware of the charges, but have you also seen that the witnesses have recanted their testimonies and some were threatened by the government, see link here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsQDfGb9-aE. Wasn't the Honorable Elijah Muhammad accused of sex crimes as well, isn't this the reason Malcolm X left the NOI? Yet to defend the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, doesn't the Quran say you can have up to 4 wives and as many concubines as you can afford? So using his holy book the Quran wouldn't the Honorable Elijah Muhammad be right and Malcolm and those who slandered be wrong for their accusation? I mean I'm sure when Malcolm was travelling abroad and meeting with African and Arab foreign dignitaries he had to know that Muslims practiced polygamy. So why the double standard with the Honorable Elijah Muhammad?"

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: Yes the Holy Qur'an does admonishes that a Muslim can have up to four wives. But remember now at his latter stages of his movement Dr. York had renounced Islam; so your argument looses some credibility relative to using the Qur'an to justify his domestic life arrangement (now his position is more of a double standard). Minister Malcolm X was in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Egypt in 1959 according to his autobiography "Malcolm X" the Honorable Elijah Muhammad made Hajj in 1959. Minister Malcolm X worked in the East (Egypt. Jeddah, Mecca, Palestine, etc.) as an emissary for Elijah Muhammad arranging his Hajj itinerary. Minister Malcolm was quite aware that Muslims men could take on four wives according to Islamic customs and his later opposition to Elijah Muhammad was more of a political stunt, which to separate and delineate himself from the Nation of Islam. (Reference: Elijah Muhammad—edited by Nasir Makr Hakim; “The True History of Elijah Muhammad”).Brother

Kedar stated: "Again, I ask when he was member of the Nation of Islam and what temple did he attend? I disagree that many of Dr. York’s teachings came from THEM, especially now, THEM never taught about Egypt nor Sumerians which seems now to be the concentration of his organizations teachings. The Savior syndrome is breed thru religion. Religious doctrines have this Savior syndrome, whether he be Ha Mashiakh for the Hebrews, Christos for the Christians and Al Masih for the Muslims, all have it and all have their people caught up in it. Even so called splinter groups like the Moorish Science Temple, NOI have the savior syndrome and last but not least Freemasons are anxiously awaiting "brother john". "

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: I do not think there any substantiated documentation or evidence to prove that Noble Drew Ali and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad were members of Prince Hall Freemasonry, which is the predominately African American Masonic Order. We know for a fact that the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (AF&AM) was initially founded as an all white Masonic Order and based on the history of race relations in America—segregation and racism in many instances divided and separated blacks and white in all realms politically, economically and socially. (Reference: Andrew Hacker; “Two Nations: Black and White, Separate, Hostile, Unequal”).

Brother Kedar stated: This was not the meat and potatoes theology of the NOI, so just because he touched on the pyramids does not make him an Egyptologist. That little bit of information is not something that is deep. Dr York has a whole book of Egyptians hymns written in MTR NTR also known as Nuwaubic to them. Dr. York built an Egyptian City complete with Pyramids. Dr York resurrected an Egyptian order called the Ancient Egyptian Order (AEO) I mean I can go on and on and on but I know you get the picture. The same Nasser that was implicit in getting the last black Pharaoh Anwar Sadat killed. Qadaffi is an Italian parading as a Muslim as I'm sure you know the original Libyans were Negroid and those currently there are nothing more than Italians who came to Libya and conquered it.

Brother Kedar continued: “You cite two European looking African Muslims. Yet you couldn't cite any Negroid African, how sad ;-(. Both of these men are still the physical manifestation of the devil, regardless if one if from Egypt or Libya, neither are pure negroid Africans with woolly hair, broad noses and big lips. Just because a man is "close" to another man, doesn't mean his knowledge rubs off on him, additionally it doesn't make Nasser an Egyptologist just because he's the president of the Country. What kind of logic is that? So you have a problem with organized religion but you still follow a book that was organized by pale Arabs after the death of Muhammad that isn't in the correct order in which it was received. but you don't have a problem with organized freemasonry which also was created by men (companions), with certain rituals (salaat, hajj), mystical figures (Hiram Abiff, Muhammad) that has you doing charitable works (alms). Interesting.”

Fahim A. Knight-El replied: I disagree; I have lessons and teaching where the Honorable Elijah Muhammad is teaching on the Great Pyramids of Egypt and he is teaching on how the pyramids sit in the Center of the Earth on 13 acres of land. He wrote about how the stones were dug from a quarry 800 miles away and the Egyptians used a sophisticated system of hydraulics that is even unknown-to day’s scientist. He said the stones might have been transferred by sound. This is just a small portion of his teachings on Kemet. He was very close to the Egyptian President Gemal Abdur Nasser and even Muammar Qadaffi of Libya in the early 1970s who gave him millions of dollars in an interest free loan. Yes, all the above mentioned personalities (Ali, Garvey, Muhammad, etc.) they all have Savior syndrome and this is the problem I have with organized religion. (Reference: E.U. Essien Udom; “Black Nationalism: The Search for an Identity”).

Fahim Knight-EL continued: The practice of racism perhaps evolved when the first African slave ship arrived to the shores of the United States in 1555 up until 1865 and even beyond the 1960s Civil Rights movement to where we are in 2009. White Masons in New England and Boston area in the late 1700s did not consider black men as freed men and many forever linked the history of Africans in America to that of Chattel Slavery and servitude; although, many Africans were Indentured Servants in the New England area and was freed after their servitude contract ended. Some of the early written Masonic Constitutions and code books were interpreted to preclude and prohibited a man being born in bondage and a man that is presently in bondage and who was not a freeman to be ineligible for membership in the Masonic Order. Some even interpreted this to mean that a man had to be born free and had no prior ancestral linkage to slavery in order to qualify for Masonic membership. (Reference: William H. Grimshaw; “Official History of Freemasonry Among Colored People of North America”).

Fahim Knight-EL continued: Thus, in 1700s most blacks were either born slaves within the United States or made slaves based on being captives and brought to the Americas via the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Middle Passage. So in 1784 a free slave named Prince Hall founded African Lodge Number 1, which later became African lodge #459. Prince Hall did receive a legitimate charter from the Grand Lodge of England, which invested him with duly and recognized authority to function as a black Masonic entity. Some pundits argue that the Grand Lodge of England gave Hall limited Masonic authority. Nevertheless, two Masonic Orders evolved side by side in the United States —one white and one black. (Reference: Sherrod N. Gresham; “Prominent Prince Hall Masons on Philatelic Materials: Stamps, First Day Covers and Post Cards”).

Fahim Knight-EL continued: I would like for my readers to reason with me, Prophet Noble Drew Ali (Abdul Sharieff Ali) was born in 1886 in Cherokee, North Carolina and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad was born in 1897 in Sandersville, Georgia . These two black American Islamic leaders were born less than thirty years outside of Chattel Slavery and grew up during the height of the Jim Crow Era (officially 1896-1954). We can almost assume that from the historical evidence and timeframe that it was very highly unlikely that these two black men were members of a white Masonic Order in the 1920s and the early 1930s based on the internal racial politics of the United States during this time period. (Reference: C. Eric Lincoln; “The Black Muslims in America”—third edition).

Fahim Knight-EL continued: However, I do believe that both Ali and Muhammad based on their organizational teachings were connected to the Freemasonic Order and some of their teachings bear striking similarity to the Freemasonic worldview. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad by his own admission stated that he was once a Mason. Prince Hall lodges were very prevalent in the south and perhaps more than likely they would not have been considered for membership into a white Masonic Order and we can make an educated assumption that they perhaps were raised in an African American Masonic Lodge. But by no means am I oblivious to fact that there were other lodges including the Scottish Rite Order that did admit blacks in the deep south into their fraternal order during the Jim Crow period. (Reference: Adib Rashad; “Elijah Muhammad and the Ideological Foundation of the Nation of Islam”).

Bro. Kedar stated: “BINGO!! That's what I'm talking about "PROOF" and that is basis of Dr. York's teachings. "Proof". So now that you want proof I'm gonna go back to some of the questions I asked you previously and I want you to provide "Proof". Please provide proof that Dr York was a member of the NOI. Please provide proof that THEM and Noble Drew Ali were Prince Hall Masons. Please provide proof that Dr York was named Dwight York at birth. Please provide proof that anyone "ran" Dr. York out of NY.”Bro. Kedar continued: “Yet before going any further with presenting this philosophical apology, it seems to be ironic while analyzing your teleological argument, cosmological argument, or ontological argument( which ever you prefer) to notice the similarities between your approach and an introduction to philosophy or introduction to sociology textbook especially in the section marked #15. The problem arises (as will be expressed throughout this apology) the lack of original thought because the systematic destruction of the double conscious now being realized within the philosophy profession. Your research style is integrating our story with that of European history but eliminating the fact the Freemasonry philosophy or as you call it Masonry (Muslim son) is much older than any monotheistic religion. The fact you utilize Muslim son instead of Ma son is evidence of lack of ancient Egyptian (Tama-Re) or ancient Ethiopian (Cushite) knowledge because the mother and child were always an important concept until the European male dominance appears. Now back to our regular scheduled program.”

Fahim Knight-EL Stated: I am not sure I completely understand or follow brother Kedar’s thoughts and I do not claim to be an historian, but I do believe in order to be a good social scientist or historian it is imperative that you have a respect and understanding of what previous scholars have written by assessing and evaluating their scholarship (understanding of the historiography). Moreover, we learn to extract certain information in order to validate our thesis or to impart a critical analysis of previous theories in order to exposed their limitations or further substantiate truths by determining if they can stand up under empirical scrutiny. It is acceptable to use various scholarship as long as you give credit from which certain information originated by documenting and citing your sources—endnotes or footnotes. Brother Kadar's criticism of me quoting and using external sources either shows a lack of understanding of scholarly academic writing or he has the ability to create an original thought (there is nothing new under the Sun). (Reference: Ivan Van Sertima; “Great African Thinkers: Cheikh Anta Diop”).

Fahim Knight-EL continued: I have always understood that all knowledge points its way back to older and more ancient civilizations—Kemet (Egypt) and Kush (Ethiopia) is the root of most of our philosophical schools of thought. Dr. Malachi Z. York did not introduce anything new in that regard, Dr. Yosef Ben A.A. Jochannon and others were pointing us to Kemet and were heavily into Egyptology a long time before York became in gulfed in the Kemetic Sciences. John G. Jackson, Cheik Anta Diop, Chancellor Williams, etc., were teaching on Melanin and the pineal gland while York then known as Imam Isa Al-Haadi-Mahdi leading his followers towards Arab Islam under the banner of the Ansaar Allah Community. (Reference: John G. Jackson: “Introduction to African Civilization”).

Bro. Kadar stated: “Does make many valid points relative to how Freemasonry has been distorted by Eurocentric theories and many African American Masons who are members of the Prince Hall Order have no idea of the true landmarks of Masonry because many of them lack the knowledge of self. Thus, in truth no European Grand Lodge can legitimize the fathers and mothers of Freemasonry unless you lack the knowledge of self—Speculative (philosophical) Freemasonry had its origin in Nubian Kemet (black Egypt)—Manly P. Hall, Gerald Massey, Sir Godfrey Higgins, Albert Churchward, Albert G. Mackey, Kersey Graves, C.W. Leadbeater, JSM Ward, etc., and these scholars bear witness to this said origin of Freemasonry.”

Brother Kedar continued: “This website you provided just says you guys were recognized where the documented proof is. Where is the official correspondence from UGLE, you know 'PROOF'? Additionally this claim is discredited and refuted because according to the UGLE website they do not recognize PHA lodges, please see the link here http://www.ugle.org.uk/provinces/olodges/usa.htm and tell me which one of you are telling the truth or are you mixing "truth with falsehood". Mind you, this is an official UGLE website whereas your link is not.”

Fahim Knight-EL replied: There is no confusion for what it is worth Prince Hall Masonry has been recognized and accepted under the United Grand Lodge of England. Thus, as I stated before Prince Hall Masonry had affirmed itself over 200 years ago. Yes, Brother Bessel is the one that stays on top of these type matters. You can contact any Prince Hall Grand Lodge in the United States for further verification. Thus, since you seemed to be questioning my credibility and this should render your argument as a moot point. (Reference: Paul M. Bessel and Alton G. Roundtree, “Out of the Shadows: The Emergency of Prince Hall Freemasonry in America).

Bro. Kedar stated: “The black man originated in Africa before he migrated to Asia. Anthropologist Dr Leake and his crew have proven this. Therefore the Asiatic Black man could also be called the European Black man, American Black man etc as he also migrated there as well. You guys keep putting our "children" before us. Why not be called the Ethiopic Black man, the Sudanic Black Man, you know places in Africa along the Nile, or Nilotic Black Man. Asia is a "Johnny come lately" compared to Africa. African presence can be found all over the world not just Africa as the same scholar Dr. Sertima wrote extensively about the Olmecs who are found in the Americas.”

Fahim Knight-EL replied: You raised the question relative to Asia and I was only proving to you that the original man was in what you would call Asia Proper long before the miscegenation of the people who occupy those land and territories today. I cited three scholars (Van Sertima, Rashidi and Houston) who verified that there was an original man presence in Asia that is oftentimes overlooked by western scholars. But scholars like John G. Jackson and Cheik Anta Diop also verifies all of my contentions relative to those points.

Fahim Knight-EL continued: You relish in the term African, but I agree with the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad who stated in the “Muslim Student Enrollment” raised the Question: “Why Does the Devil Call Our People African?” “To make the people of North America believe that the people on that continent are the only people they have and are savage. He brought a trading post in jungle of that continent. The Original people live on this continent. And they are the ones who strayed away from civilization and are living a jungle life. The Original people call this continent Asia; but the devils call it Africa to try to divide them. He wants us to think we all are different.”

We are not “Ethiopians” this term or name was giving to us by the Greeks; these Europeans according to John G. Jackson called the people of “Burnt Faces” Ethiopians. So, this term and the term Africa was giving to us by Europeans, we are the ORIGINAL PEOPLE OF THE EARTH. (Reference: Sterling Means: “Ethiopia: the Missing Link in African History”).

Fahim A. Knight-EL Chief Researcher for KEEPING IT REAL THINK TANK located in Durham, NC; our mission is to inform African Americans and all people of goodwill, of the pending dangers that lie ahead; as well as decode the symbolisms and reinterpreted the hidden meanings behind those who operate as invisible forces, but covertly rules the world. We are of the belief that an enlightened world will be better prepared to throw off the shackles of ignorance and not be willing participants for the slaughter. Our MOTTO is speaking truth to power. Fahim A. Knight-EL can be reached at fahimknight@yahoo.com.

Stay Awake Until We Meet Again,
Fahim A. Knight-EL