Page:1965 FBI monograph on Nation of Islam.djvu/44

 C. Temples or Mosques

Individual temples, or mosques, are located in various cities throughout the United States, but all are under the complete discipline of the national headquarters at Chicago. Elijah has designated altogether 38 numbered temples, one of which has been inactive for several years. The 37 active numbered temples are attended by about 4,300 of the total of slightly over 5,000 members of the cult. Only six of these temples have a membership of over 300 members each. These six temples are located in Chicago; Detroit; New York City; Washington, D: C.; Philadelphia; and Los Angeles. Almost half of the NOI's total membership belong to these six temples. Six other temples have memberships of between 100 and 300, and all the rest (25 numbered temples) have less than 100 members each-- several having less than 20 members each.

Aout 750 NOI members attend the meetings of 31 unnumbered NOI groups in various cities in the country. Many of these groups are led by visiting ministers from nearby temples, who frequently are accompanied by members from their own temples in an attempt to stimulate interest in these neighboring cities. Meetings usually are held in small, rented rooms or in homes of the participants. Estimates of normal attendance at meetings