“What your ancient forefathers were, you are today without doubt or contradiction. There is no one who is able to change man from the descendant nature of his forefathers; unless his power extends beyond the great universal Creator Allah Himself.” - Moorish Holy Koran Chapter 47:10-11

One of the key elements in the foundation of the concept of “self” in an individual or body of people is his/her nationality and national parentage identity (natal and cultural identity). The training of a proper self-concept, through the path of nationality, creates a direct relationship to the engendering or disengendering of social, economic and political power. As it is important to evaluate self or natal group for the purpose of building character, moral substance and a strong value system, it also serves in importance to create perceptions of reality to coincide with personal and group power, a progressive social structure and organization and a perpetuated motivation to be excellent in all degrees of life. It should be acknowledged that these elements underlie an individual’s or group’s self-concept as he perceives himself in common with other members of his/her group in society.

The system of values that one ascribes to themselves are typically ascribed to his/her group as a whole as one of the primary principles with which the individual feels the strongest personal attachment and which helps to determine the solidarity of his/her self concept is his/her “Nationality.” The concept of self-ideal, self-identity and self-evaluation are combined under the umbrella of self-concept which is directly related to an individual’s national identity. This foundation of “identity influence” also affects an individual’s denial of self identity as his/her nationality serves as the system of measure by which one would redefine themselves based their anti-identity concepts of self and national origins.

Nationality allows culture and values to become a measuring device by which all other cultures would be measured, examined and analyzed. As it is expressed and understood throughout the world that all known societies are nationality and ethnic oriented; therefore, Moors, conscious and/or unconscious, should never denounce their nationality or minimize the importance of nationality for the sake of economic or educational amalgamation. It has been observed that groups that strongly adhere to their national origins tend to survive and thrive better than tolerant groups that allow themselves to 1) blend their cultural perception and 2) “shape-shift” their identity to please the social and political advantageous groups. With this fact in mind, it is further known that nationality provides a primary basis for social identity, social definition, organization and cohesiveness.

Nationality is an important aspect of the individual’s and group’s self identity which provides a strong sense of nation oriented position and belongingness and historical value. This basic idea of nationality creates the venue by which one begins to take unwavering pride in one’s national parentage identity which serves as the basis for one holding them selves in high esteem. The degree of power, success and social standing is critically important to the national citizenry/members well being, sense of security and purpose as it is also a central component for a holistic existence, a progressive degree of functionality, an integral part for group cohesiveness and familial loyalty. The combination of an appropriate and healthy level of self concept and pride intertwined with an effective organizational structure creates the substance and pathways to social, economic and political power.

This level of self identity, self-esteem, group operation and authority delegation, makes it more likely that the group entity and its citizenry/members would provide for the physiological, economic, psychological and nutritional needs of itself and each of its citizens/members. The concept of nationality, self knowledge and self identity helps to increase a group’s desire to survive and progress while working to maintain a high level of autonomy; thereby producing some modicum of insurance, program implementation and protection for the purpose of advancement and social growth. With a thorough understanding of nationality, comes national consciousness that reinforces the group’s prerogatives, interests, educational curriculums and social progressiveness, which also justifies and validates individual sacrifices for maintaining the integrity and existence of the group of national body. Furthermore, nationality provides the pathway for nation oriented stability and solidarity which encourages the members/citizenry to discourage and prevent the acceptance of foreign, counter-productive and disengendering group cultures that may serve as a lethal and damaging venue for the demise, disintergration and subordination of the group’s infrastructure, organizations foundation and cultural reputation.

Nationality, as an operational presence, allows a group to utilize the essential resources and the unified means by which a group could achieve goals that otherwise could not have been achieved. Once the concept and importance of nationality is understood, it then becomes obvious to how the “lack of” nationality leads to the minimization of ethnic pride, cultural and identity confusion, demoralized character, lowered esteem and a detachment from the group’s original psycho-spiritual platform for salvation and upright development. The destruction of nationality demobilizes and stagnates the group’s growth while dissipating the resources of power and their ability to identify them selves as a source of power; hence, an attack on a group’s national identity is an attack on their central source of strength and rejuvenation. It must be further understood, that once someone control’s the definition of a group’s identity, the group then struggles to define themselves while they also find themselves changing their social identity, struggling to find the “right” self perception that encompasses their behavior and psycho-spiritual essence. This control leads toward a path of perpetual “self” confusion and disarray. After understanding this “power tactic,” no one should ever be allowed, or given power to control or determine another group’s identity, self worth or nationality as this is the genesis of psychological slavery.

Once the nationality and ethnic identity is removed and substituted for inferior brands (Negro, Black, Colored, African American, etc), the group then begins to internalize the negative definitions that are placed upon their national identity, or supposed national identity, which creates a high level of weakness and dysfunction that renders the group powerless and socially paralyzed. This is the end result once your identity has been compromised for the sake of acceptance, amalgamation and positions of illusion. It should now be understood that nationality determines the level of motivation and progressive behavior, the interests and standards, the values and aspirations, the quality of moral character and the vision of the youth that are directed by the fruits of wisdom that result from a strong knowledge of self and national identity. Thus the shaping of the self-concept is the gaining of power over personality and ability.

If Moors are to liberate themselves from any and all levels of domination, Moors must empower themselves, enrich their educational and economic systems as they must also repudiate foreign power that attempts to characterize their identity. Moors, in the 21st century must characterize their own perception of themselves by becoming the primary definers of their own identity, character, behavior and self perception. It also must be understood that no nation in history, either past or present, can rise to power without having pride of their national parentage identity and historical achievement from which they draw inspiration.

(To purchase the books, click the cover or go to http://www.moorsgate.com/online-store/. To purchase the book, The Biography of Noble Drew Ali, go to http://www.sevensealspublications.com/)

-Grand Sheik: Zothyrius Ali El