The development of the Nation of Islam under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad had significant impacts on the creation of Black neighborhoods in a number of large cities in the United States. New York was defined by the shaping of the Harlem neighborhood as a center of Black idealism under the Nation of Islam and Chicago experienced the same type of development as an extension of the creation of a definitive directive under this leadership. Though significant changes have occurred in Chicago since the 1960s, the continuation of ideals that were integrated as a component of the Black identity during the development of the Nation of Islam determined significant demographic and social perspectives.
             In his book In The Name Of Elijah Muhammad -- Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam, Mattias Gardell (1996) begins his work with a positive picture of the development of the Nation of Islam even though disparaging accounts have suggested significant variations in the impact of this religious organization and the promotion of black Islamic nationalism. But like many historians and theologians, Gardell argues that the impacts of the leadership of the Nation of Islam in recent years, including leadership under Louis Farrakhan, has taken away the important developments secured by Elijah Muhammad (Marable, 1998). Though this view has been maintained by different historians, there is still significant support for the fact that regardless of the flaws of the leadership and the problems this religious organization has faced, they have still succeeded in developing a significant black Islamic identify. They have also succeeded in determining the development of strong, vocal and involved civic organizations through the connections with this organization. Cities like Chicago, for example, one of the early cities significantly influenced by the perspectives of Elijah Mohammed, has progressed as a result of the influences of the Nation of Isl...