He was appointed as the first Assistant Chairman of the Moorish Science Temple of America, by Prophet Noble Drew Ali on June 1, 1927.

In February 1928, Mealy El was made Grand Sheik and Chairman of the Moorish Science Temple of America by appointment of the Prophet Noble Drew Ali.

In February 1929, an annual corporation report filed with the Illinois Secretary of State lists Edward Mealy El as President of the Moorish Science Temple of America Inc.

Mealy El moved to Chicago, Illinois, and became involved with Noble Drew Ali's African-American Islamic religious movement, the Moorish Science Temple of America.

[6] Mealy El was present at the Second Annual National Convention of the Moorish Science Temple of America, or "Unity Conference," in September 1929.

[8][9] Ultimately, the election was not accepted by all members, and both Givens El and Kirkman Bey went on to lead their own factions of the Moorish Science Temple.

[2][10] In response, Kirkman Bey created his own organization, called the "Moorish Science Temple of America, Inc," taking most of the Moors with him.

[2][11] Several years after the leadership feud, Mealy El suffered a stroke and was sent to live with his family in Mississippi by his wife, Dealia, who was unable to care for him.