MALCOLM X AND ISLAM

Islam was at the core of the life of Malcolm X. It is very important to understand that in 1964 when Malcolm X parted company with the Nation of Islam, it did not in any way shake his faith in Islam. Quite the contrary, his movement towards the traditional orthodox Sunni view of Islam strengthened his faith, and he went on a pilgrimage to Mecca which he described as life-changing. When in Mecca he met Crown Prince Faisal who was soon to be King Faisal. Faisal ordered that Malcolm X be treated as an honored guest in the Kingdom.

Today there are many views about Islam, but from the life of Malcolm X and from the teachings of Malcolm X we can get a positive understanding of what Islam could be in a world of unbelievable inequality, and a world that is facing nuclear and environmental catastrophe. These are relevant points. Social justice was at the core of Malcolm X's message, and that message of social justice was deeply rooted in the Quran. We are not saying that we agree with everything Malcolm X said or did. However, Malcolm X will have to be regarded as a very important Islamic figure in our time. Thus, we present a series of articles and videos about this subject. We certainly don't claim this is a comprehensive view of the life of Malcolm X, but it does contain relevant points that need to be considered and studied.

Excerpt from Malcolm X's letter in 1964 about his pilgrimage:

You may be shocked by these words coming from me. But on this pilgrimage, what I have seen, and experienced, has forced me to rearrange much of my thought-patterns previously held, and to toss aside some of my previous conclusions. This was not too difficult for me. Despite my firm convictions, I have always been a man who tries to face facts, and to accept the reality of life as new experience and new knowledge unfolds it. I have always kept an open mind, which is necessary to the flexibility that must go hand in hand with every form of intelligent search for truth.

During the past eleven days here in the Muslim world, I have eaten from the same plate, drunk from the same glass, and slept on the same rug – while praying to the same God – with fellow Muslims, whose eyes were the bluest of blue, whose hair was the blondest of blond, and whose skin was the whitest of white. And in the words and in the deeds of the white Muslims, I felt the same sincerity that I felt among the black African Muslims of Nigeria, Sudan and Ghana.

We were truly all the same (brothers) – because their belief in one God had removed the white from their minds, the white from their behavior, and the white from their attitude.

(Read the rest of the letter here)

RELATED WORLD FUTURE FUND PAGES

Malcolm X in Mecca 1964 - A Moment in History

Videos on Malcolm X and Islam

Videos on Muhammad Ali and Islam

Islam and Social Justice

Islamic Index

VIDEOS ON MALCOLM X AND ISLAM

Below are videos relating to Malcolm X and Islam.

INTERVIEWS WITH MALCOLM X

Malcolm X After His Return From Mecca

Malcolm X speaks on his religious ideologies after his return from his pilgrimage to Mecca and his presentation to the U.N.

He talks about his plans to help the African American community and speaks out against racism in the U.S.

Malcolm X Answers Questions About Islam

Malcolm X says he believes that African Americans have the right to defend themselves against oppression.

He also talks about his views on Islam.

MALCOLM X'S TIME IN SAUDI ARABIA

A man from Sudan who Inspired Malcolm X

This video is a part of a full length documentary made on the final phase of Malcolm X's life.

Hidden History of Malcolm X (Malcolm X Documentary)

This documentary focuses on the final phase of Malcolm X's life following his pilgramage to Mecca.

CLIP FROM THE 1992 MOVIE, MALCOLM X

Pilgrimage to Mecca Scene From The Malcolm X Film

This video is from the 1992 movie made about Malcolm X, in which he was represented by the actor Denzel Washington.

Denzel Washington portrays Malcolm's pilgrimage to Mecca.

This is a powerful scene that shows the brotherhood of mankind in Islam.

You can see more information about the film here: Malcolm X Film (Imdb)

ARTICLES ABOUT MALCOLM X AND ISLAM

New York Public Library, Malcolm X: A Search for Truth

Malcolm X and the Sudanese Muslims (Aljazeera, 3-19-20)

Malcolm X. From Darkness to Light (WhyIslam)

‘Malcolm X’ Finally Screens in Saudi Arabia 30 Years After Historic Filming in Mecca (Hollywood Reporter)

ARTICLES ABOUT MALCOLM X'S LIFE

Malcolm X (Wikipedia)

Malcolm X (Britannica)

Malcolm X (History.com)

BOOKS

The Autobiography of Malcolm X As Told to Alex Haley (Amazon)