Imam Talibur-Rashid Research Paper

“I began thinking about the fact that I stand in the middle of two opposing forces in the Negro community. One is a force of complacency, made up in part of Negroes who, as a result of long years of oppression, are so drained of self-respect and a sense of ‘somebodiness’ that they have adjusted to segregation; and in part of a few middle class Negroes who, because of a degree of academic and economic security and because in some ways they profit by segregation, have become insensitive to the problems of the masses. The other force is one of bitterness and hatred, and it comes perilously close to advocating violence. It is expressed in the various black nationalist groups that are springing up across the nation, the largest and best-known being Elijah Muhammad’s Muslim movement. Nourished by the Negro’s frustration over the continued existence of racial discrimination, this movement is made up of people who have lost faith in America, who have absolutely repudiated Christianity, and who have concluded that the white man is an incorrigible ‘devil’”.

satisfied requirements put before us by Allah and His Messenger that qualify you to enter amongst us. Your persistence in doing so has awarded

After Malcolm separated from the Nation of Islam, part by choice but part by force, he had to turn elsewhere for the acceptance and purpose, which all African American males needed at this time. With his national prominence he formed a new organization. This organization would be the last place he found acceptance because of his untimely death. His organization, the Muslim Mosque Inc., he

He developed a hate that tore him apart due to the racism and prejudice him and his family suffered at the hands of white Americans. After all the mess he got himself into, he hit a low point and ended up in jail. That is when he discovered the Nation of Islam. This religion made him pick up all the pieces and start a new life. However, over the years, Muslims began to get a bad name. Just as Islam’s image is misconstrued by the media as well as ignorance in the present time, for Malcolm X and the Muslims in his time, it was no different. In today’s media, Islam is always being accused of being a violent religion and for encouraging hate. Anything and everything related to terrorism is automatically linked to Islam. Many Americans, who do not have knowledge about Islam, see Muslims as violent, unpatriotic, and terrorists. Little do people realize that history is repeating itself. The media exploited Muslims intentions back then as well by calling them “hate-messengers” and “violent-seekers” (Malcolm X, 152). They also painted the same picture of Muslims being “fascist” and “anti-Christ” (Malcolm X, 152). They would display “Mr. Muhammad, me, and others speaking . . . strong-looking, set-faced black men, our Fruit of Islam ... white-scarved, white-gowned Muslim sisters of all ages... Muslims in our restaurants, and other businesses... Muslims and other black people entering and leaving our mosques...” in a television show titled

Originally, this split began when Malcolm was silenced by Elijah Muhammad and suspended from the NOI for declaring that “chickens coming home to roost never did make [him] sad; they've always made [him] glad" in response to the assassination of John F. Kennedy (Simon). By saying this Malcolm seemed as if he was saying that the assassination of Kennedy was necessary to balance out all of the evil that white men have done to black men. On top of this, Malcolm discovered that Elijah Muhammad, his teacher and mentor, was a fraud who had multiple mistresses, which outraged Malcolm. This anger caused Malcolm to officially split from the NOI and create the Muslim Mosque Inc. in 1964. Malcolm was “determined to make the group international and to initiate a back-to-Africa movement” (“Malcolm X American History”). Later that same year Malcolm took a pilgrimage to the Mecca to confirm his Islamic faith and was amazed by the things he learned there. A major realization Malcolm had during his pilgrimage was that the NOI was very far from traditional Islam. “Imagine, being a Muslim minister, a leader in Elijah Muhammad's Nation of Islam, and not knowing the prayer ritual” he writes to emphasize his distress about not fitting traditional Muslim standards (Haley 345). Furthermore, Malcolm experienced a

Malcolm studied the teachings of the leader of the Black Muslims, Elijah Muhammad, who advocated an independent black state. The Nation of Islam was based on a theology adapted from several models: traditional Islamic teachings principles of Black Nationalism, and economic self-help programs that addressed the needs of African Americans living in urban ghettoes. Unlike traditional Islam, which rejects all forms of racism, the Nation of Islam declared that whites were the "devil by nature," and that God was black. However, the Black Muslims predicted that in the near future a Great War would take place in which whites would be destroyed and black people would rule the world through the benevolence of Allah, their creator. To prepare for this new order, the Nation of Islam stressed personal self-restraint, opposed the use of drugs and alcohol, and organized economic self-help enterprises that eventually included farms, food stores, restaurants, and small businesses.

Branding white people "devils," he spoke bitterly of a philosophy of vengeance and "an eye for an eye." When, in 1963, he characterized the Kennedy assassination as a case of "chickens coming home to roost," he was suspended from the Black Muslim movement by Elijah Muhammad. Disillusioned with Elijah Muhammad's teachings, Malcolm formed his own organizations, the Organization of Afro-American Unity and the Muslim Mosque Inc. In 1964 he made a pilgrimage to Islam's holy city, Mecca, and adopted the name El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz.

Malcolm X’s views about the potential for real change in America after visiting Mecca changed a lot. Initially, he was radical about black separatism but after visiting Mecca, this call was gone for good. In his journey to Mecca through Cairo, Jeddah, and Saudi city, Malcolm claims that he witnessed what he had never seen in the United States. According to him, he witnessed men of all color, nationalities were treating each other with love, and equality, in contrast to what was happening in America. The Muslims had an admirable unity that changed Malcolm’s view of the world, and what should be done to change America. He says, “Throngs of people, obviously Muslims from everywhere, bound for the pilgrimage, were hugging and embracing.” This was like dream to Malcolm because, this could have never happened in the United States whereby there was racial segregation and inequality in everything. The Muslims who had gathered for the pilgrimage were of all complexions, and there was no color problem in Islam, like it was for the people in the United States. Malcolm states that, Islam reflects the

On April 13, 1964, Malcolm X left America for the holy Pilgrimage in Mecca, a pilgrimage that must be made by every able-bodied Muslim. He landed in the Jeddah airport and noticed, “Throngs of people, obviously Muslims from everywhere, bound for the pilgrimage… were hugging and embracing” He had noticed the multitude of complexions and the masses of different people coming together with no racial or social prejudice. He compared his spiritual effect as if had just came out of prison. The overwhelming sense of brotherhood he felt was unparalleled to anything he saw in America. As he entered he abandoned his spiffy black suit for the white ihram (a two-piece dress for men that covered the top and bottom and one long piece for women).

The Nation of Islam’s answer to the issue of unfair treatment of Blacks in America is best depicted by Wright in his essay, “[w]hite people had come to lead, as well as control, much of the movement for civil rights. Malcolm X, against this state of affairs, demanded that organizations for black men’s improvement – like those of the Jews by Jews and Irish by Irish – be black supported and black led” (Wright 105). The Nation of Islam felt

Membership grew very quickly, and Malcolm set out across the country, organizing more temples along the East and West Coasts and converting more educated and affluent members. Malcolm X helped to increase membership in the Nation of Islam from 400 to 400,000”( Taylor, Kimberly Hayes 1) .His leader Elijah Muhammad, was not living up to the standards he perceived to have. “Elijah Muhammad was sexually promiscuous “ (Malcolm 1) but despite Malcolm X being disillusioned by his leader he still was a genuine muslim. Malcolm X visited Mecca and had a powerful religious conversion which made him feel as an equal to his ex leader Elijah Muhammad, which caused him to found his own Muslim Organization called “ The Organization Of Afro-American

After being released in June 1954, he became minister of the New York Temple No. 7, where he met his future wife, Betty Sanders. For two years Malcolm heard rumors of Elijah Muhammad having illicit affairs with serving girls, fathering illegitimate children, and Nation of Islam ministers living luxurious lifestyles at the expense of the Nation (Crime and Investigation Network 2). These practices were in direct conflict with the Islamic beliefs; therefore, left Malcolm feeling betrayed by Muhammad. On March 14, 1964, Malcolm publicly announced his split with Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. He then formed his own movement, the Muslim Mosque, on March 13, 1964. Many of his friends then urged him to take a Hajj, or a pilgrimage, to Mecca. He took their advice, and traveled there in April, 1964. On his return, he changed his name once again to El- Hajj Malik El- Shabazz.

From April 13, 1964 until his return on May 21, 1964, in Mecca, Malcolm X accomplished the Hajj. A mandatory religious Islamic pilgrimage to their most holy city that must be carried out at least once a lifetime. He went on this annual trip seeking a personal and spiritual enlightenment through the Middle East and West Africa. While on his way he stopped to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Ghana, and Morocco sharing his beliefs and thoughts. He also was learning the meaning of universal brotherhood and self respect as well as respect for other races. He was slowly beginning to see that you didn’t have to be black to be a muslim but he said he had been with “ blonde-haired, blued-eyed men I could call my brothers.” -( Malcolm X )

After his release from prison, Malcolm helped lead the Nation of Islam to its greatest growth and influence (Brazil and Reed, 2004). Significantly he met Elijah Muhammad in Chicago and began organizing temples for the Nation in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Boston. He was extremely devoted and even founded the Nation's newspaper, Muhammad Speaks, which he printed in his home basement (Mamaiya,

Malcolm X delivered this iconic speech on April 3rd, 1964 at Cory Methodist Church in Cleveland, Ohio (Novak 35; Terrill 35). This meeting was sponsored by the Cleveland Chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (Terrill 35). Malcolm X spoke to a diverse audience of black and white citizens, however it was predominantly black. Since he was speaking at a church, Malcolm X discussed the topic of his religious beliefs. The month prior to giving his speech, Malcolm X separated from the Nation of Islam and formed his own organization, Muslim Mosque Inc. (Novak 34).