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 in the NOI paper. Then, reaping double benefits, the cult demands sizeable contributions from these business owners. Elijah constantly preaches that his followers should trade only with other Muslims and stresses the importance he places on Muslims' developing their own business enterprises completely separate from the white society.

Despite Elijah's emphasis on members' operating their own businesses, the cult's many rules restricting its members make the successful operation of a business very difficult. The member who owns a business, just as any other member, is required to attend cult meetings several nights a week and on weekends and is expected to sell his quota of the cult newspaper. For a cult member whose establishment should stay open evenings and weekends, these requirements cause him a loss of income. Additionally, many of the businessman's customers are cult members who frequently buy on credit. This further restricts the businessman's income because, as mentioned earlier, members are advised to pay their cult dues before paying their bills.