Federation : MSTA
John Givens-El-Prophet Noble Drew Ali Reincarnated.
On July 20, 1929 at 9:50pm, Noble Drew Ali expired. At his bedside
were Dr. Clarence Payne-El, Attorney Aaron Payne-El, his father
in-law, Bro. Foreman-Bey, and the Prophet’s wife, Sis. Mary Drew
Ali.
According to his death certificate filed by Dr. Payne-El, cause
of death was “Tuberculosis Bronchi Pneumonia.” The body was placed
in the Frank Edwards’ Undertaking Parlor, 4136 Michigan Ave. Funeral
services were held on Friday, July 25, 1929 at 1:30pm in the Pythian
Temple building, 37th Place and State Street. Representatives
from offices all over the United States attended the Prophet’s
last rites. The body was finally laid to rest in Burr Oak Cemetary
– Acacia Lawn, Lott 44, Grave 7.
Two weeks after his death, a member of Chicago’s subordinate temple
#1, Sheik John Givens El publicly announced that he was the “Reincarnate”
Prophet Noble Drew Ali (August 7, 1929), at a meeting held at
Pythian Hall, 3737 South State Street in Chicago.
John Givens El was a native of Sumpter, SC. He was born December
6, 1904. Upon coming of age Givens El travelled west, finally
settling in Chicago, IL, May 14, 1925. Shortly thereafter he embraced
the teachings of Noble Drew Ali and joined the Moorish Movement.
After a brief period in the temple, he was initiated into its
Adept Chambers. He also became the chauffer-mechanic for the Prophet
Noble Drew Ali. It was reported that one day while working on
the Prophet’s automobile, shortly after his death, Givens-El fainted.
When his eyes were examined: “He had the sign of the star and
crescent in one eye and the circle seven in the other…right then,
they knew that the Prophet had reincarnated into his chauffeur.”
During the 2nd Annual National Convention of the Moorish Science
Temple of America, Givens-El would once again make his declaration
of reincarnation. It was September 19, 1929. The Moorish convention
was entering its final hours, lengthy discussions had been held
concerning the Prophet’s last instructions. It was around this
time that Givens-El entered the convention hall, walking straight
to the platform, he seated himself in the “Vacant Chair” and declared,
“I am back.” He then said, “I am Prophet Noble Drew Ali, Reincarnated
and Prophet Noble Drew Ali, the Founder. We two are one in the
same.” A silence fell over the convention hall.
However, when a vote was finally taken, two-thirds of the delegates
voted Mealy-El in as Grand Sheik with C. Kirkman-Bey as his advisor
(i.e. Grand Advisor). Nevertheless, by the end of September, a
number of subordinate temples would begin to follow Givens-El,
the Noble Drew Ali, Reincarnated.
- Excerpt from Muqarrabeen Files
by Bro. R. Edwards-El T
Timothy Dingle El
