Editing Nuwaubian Nation (section)

===Dwight York and the Ansaar Pure Sufi===

Dwight York claimed to have been born in Sudan on June 26, 1945.{{sfn|Palmer|2010|p=4}} A [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI) report accepts this birthdate but maintains that York was born in [[Maryland]].{{sfn|Palmer|2010|p=4}} The Muslim heresiologist [[Bilal Philips]] believed that York was actually born in 1935, but later claimed to be younger so that his birth might fit a particular Muslim prophecy about the Mahdi.{{sfn|Palmer|2010|p=4}} In early life, he was exposed to religions claiming an Islamic identity; according to one claim, the young York was involved in the [[Moorish Science Temple of America|Moorish Science Temple]], a black-oriented American new religion.{{sfn|Palmer|2010|p=12}} During part of his teens and early twenties, York was also involved with the [[State Street Mosque]], a [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslim]] establishment in [[Brooklyn]] run by [[Daoud Ahmed Faisal]].{{sfn|Knight|2020|p=12}} York has claimed he started attending Friday prayers at that mosque in 1957, when he was 12;{{sfn|Knight|2020|p=13}} there are also reports that York's mother was involved with that mosque.{{sfn|Knight|2020|p=13}}

{{Quote box
| quote = I began publishing the pamphlets of peace. I wrote, typed, illustrated, reproduced and distributed them almost single handedly. I diligently treaded [sic] the streets of New York and the surrounding area as I propagated Sufi Islaam [sic]. I was blessed with the 'gift of the gab' and combined with a sense of humour and charisma that draws people of all walks of life to me.
| source=Dwight York{{sfn|Barrett|2001|p=255}}
| width = 25em
| align = right
}}

York later noted that as a teenager he was involved in New York's gangs.{{sfnm|1a1=Palmer|1y=2010|1p=5|2a1=Palmer|2y=2021a|2p=345}} In June 1964, he was charged with [[statutory rape]] and in October 1964 with possession of a dangerous weapon and the assault of a police officer.{{sfn|Palmer|2010|p=5}} In January 1965 he was convicted and received a three-year prison sentence, being paroled in October 1967.{{sfn|Palmer|2010|p=5}} He then began working as a street trader, selling body oils, perfumes, and incense in [[Harlem]] and Brooklyn, meanwhile developing his own ideas.{{sfn|Palmer|2010|p=6}} 

At some point between 1967 and 1969 he established a group called Ansaar Pure Sufi and an associated bookstore.{{sfnm|1a1=Palmer|1y=2010|1p=6|2a1=Knight|2y=2020|2p=15}} He then adopted the title of Isa Abdullah for himself.{{sfn|Palmer|2010|p=6}} A centre for the group was established at 25 Bedford Avenue.{{sfn|Palmer|2010|p=6}} Early members began wearing green and black tunics and adopting a symbol of an intertwined crescent, Star of David, and ankh.{{sfn|Palmer|2010|pp=6-7}} They called themselves "Moors" and wore fez hats, reflecting an influence from the Moorish Science Temple.{{sfn|Palmer|2010|p=12}} York rejected existing translations of the Quran and instead promoted his own.{{sfn|Gabriel|2003|p=152}}