The term "Moorish" can refer to different things depending on the context. Here are some possible meanings:
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Moorish Sovereign Citizens: This is a group of Black adherents who hold pseudo-historical beliefs specific to African-American heritage. They believe that a fictitious 1787 treaty between the United States and Morocco grants them immunity from U.S. law, and they use this perceived status as members of a sovereign nation to claim exemption from normal laws and regulations. Members of the Moorish sovereigns, called Moors, have come into conflict with federal and state authorities over their refusal to obey laws and government regulations.
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Historical Moors: The term "Moor" originally referred to the Muslim populations of the Maghreb, al-Andalus (Iberian Peninsula), Sicily, and Malta during the Middle Ages. Over time, the term came to mean anyone who was Muslim or had dark skin. The Moors were not a specific ethnic group, but rather a diverse mix of Berbers, Arabs, and other peoples who lived in North Africa and Spain.
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Moorish Science Temple: This is a religious sect dating back to 1913 that combines elements of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Some adherents of the Moorish Science Temple have merged sovereign citizen ideas with their beliefs, leading to the emergence of the Moorish sovereign movement.
Its important to note that the term "Moorish" has been co-opted by the sovereign citizen movement in the United States, and members of Moorish sovereign citizen groups claim they are descended from Moors who predated white settlers in North America, and that they are part of a sovereign nation and not subject to U.S. laws. However, these beliefs are not based in fact and have no legal standing.
