When appearing at the annual convention less than a week after Malcolm's death, Elijah was additionally protected on the speaker's stand by a double row of NOI ministers sitting in front and on either side of him. This double row was in addition to the regular FOI guards facing the audience and standing shoulder to shoulder in front of the speaker's stand.
NOI members are constantly reminded that "the first law of Islam is obedience." Members are guided by a variety of "musts" and "must nots." Some of these are that they must regularly attend meetings, make the required financial contributions, sell their quota of the cult newspaper, and trade with Muslim-operated businesses. They must not smoke, drink liquor, eat pork, use narcotics, commit adultery, or associate with non-Muslims. Women members must wear the prescribed head covering, keep their homes neat, and serve the proper Muslim foods; and they must not wear lipstick, high heels, or short dresses. These rules are but a few of the many that have guided those who accept Elijah Muhammad's concocted version of Islam.
Muslims are warned that they must obey without question all orders of those in authority. Any member who violates the rules is subjected to disciplinary action administered by the NOI leadership composed of Elijah Muhammad, the national officers, the temple ministers, captains, lieutenants, and investigators.
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