Initially, the Nation of Gods and Earths, as it is known today, was viewed as little more than an off-shoot of the Nation of Islam (NOI). While the Nation of Gods and Earths has been characterized as an organization, an institution, a religion, or even a gang, representatives of the Nation teach that Islam is a natural or mathematical way of living. The New York City areas of
Harlem ("Mecca") and
Brooklyn ("Medina") are named after notable Islamic cities by members of the organization.
[3][4] Other areas include
Detroit (D-Mecca),
New Jersey (New Jerusalem),
Chicago (C-Medina),
Queens (the Desert),
Connecticut (New Heaven),
St. Louis (Saudi) and
Dallas (the Sudan).
[5]