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has added a new journalhovering between the nation of islam and sunni islam, i met bro. malcolm in 1961, joined his entourage for a few days while he was coordinating events in los angeles, most days he reserved dinner time for conversations rather than strategy sessions, we discussed differences between what i knew about "orthodox" islam, sufism, shia, and the nation ... in many occasions he was unable to answer a question except to repeat "the honorable elijah muhammed tells us that ..... " but seemed uncomfortable with both question and answer ... it was no surprise to me when he returned from hajj and fully repudiated the nation, calling for a division of his work into two movements, one dedicated to the struggle for racial justice, and a marcus garvey like elevation of the afro-american nation. the second, a call to educate people about islam and to bring islamic teachings to all people of whatever race ...
... by this time i had already left the nation behind and now in contact with sunni muslims, had made my shahadah ? but while i never again met bro. malcolm, i honored him with my respect for his understanding of the two paths of struggle for islam, the first for liberation of all peoples who suffered under colonial and neo-colonial oppression and ethnic or racial discrimination, but afro-americans in particular, and second the need to spread the message of islam to all peoples, and to practice the most important aspects of islam ? social and economic justice!
when people ask me about how i became muslim, i always call myself an malcolm x muslim, who joined islam to fight against oppression and for social and economic justice, and that we muslims of the malcolm x generation are dedicated to this struggle, especially against the racist capitalist system that rules the usa and drives its global aspirations for empire, which savages peoples and ravishes lands ...
Islamz
As Salamu Alaikum,As the son of a former FOI captain (Nation of Islam military assignment) I too know about the division and the ideological conflict of "black nationalism" and what can be called "sunni" Islam.
Most importantly, I have been educated both at home and at the college level about both conflicts. Of course, most traditional Islam was studied in classes that offered an overall fundamental education about Al Islam and/or a more specialized view such as "Islamic Law" Personally, I would like to study Islamic law before anything else. I feel that the knowledge of Al Islam, or traditional views as given through authentic Hadith or Qur'an would be the best way of learning and benefiting from the life of Malcolm X...what does anyone else think?
may Allah forgive me for any wrong
Jazakallah to anyone who reads this post
Wa alaikumu salam
none19
Wow, that was an incredible journal and I can only imagine the struggles of the 1960's. Are you currently involved in any projects/movements to promote islam and social justice?
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has added a new journalJust wondering,
has anyone seen malcoms tomb? in harlem.
i was in NY last summer, and was advised by everyone i met. against visiting harlem.sigh.
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has added a new journalhmmm
yes, malcom X.
alex haley.
a new biography is coming out on malcom, which includes information from the autobiography which was cut, edited, by either publishers,alex,CIA, it is your guess.
Im not sure how much you guys in here know about malcom, Amina, you must know what im saying.
Anyone in here whos not read his autobio, you must read it. simple as that. and i recommend to not read any other material on him, ive been tricked by other writings and i cannot help but mistrust anyone else.
Islamz
As Salamu Alaikum,Dear brothers and sisters in Islam. I have read bits and peices of Al Hajj Malik Al Shabazz autobiography. Most of my education on "Malcolm X" has come from the movie "X" by spike lee, my African American history lessons at Tufts University and by my father who was a member of the Nation of Islam. Of course, each source offers information about this political icon, however there has not been an Islamic publisher who has related Malcolm X's acheivements to authentic Hadith or from a Qur'anic understanding.
Learning about Malcolm X as it relates to Al Islam will be the truth, laid out. This is where I ask most of our brothers and sisters to learn their information and form their opinions about Malcolm X. There can be a great deal learned from him and about him, insh'allah but first we must know the deen and then we can be informed, insh'allah Personally, from this perspective, if we know the Qur'an or authentic Hadiths only then we can form arguement (for Malcolm X, his political decisions, speeches etc.) insh'allah
may Allah forgive me for any wrong
Jazakallah brothers & sisters!
Wa alaikumu salam
Afaq
OR even better, you can watch the radio show on tv. play.rbn.com proto=rtsp& start=14:05Afaq
Amina and the rest of the Village, Ive found the talk with amy goodman and professor manning marable of columbia university, and you can listen to their discussion on malcolm x, on the feb21( 40th anniversry of his death )www.archive.org
Its a bit long, so ul have to dedicate some time :)
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has added a new journalAssalamu-Alaikum.
What I have learned from this great man cannot entirely be expressed in words. His constant drive for self-improvement and better understanding of Islam and the world around him have inspired me to follow in the same pursuits. That he had the courage and insight to break away from the Nation of Islam when he was enlightened to the truth during Hajj speaks volumes about his character. I have learned from his life and times to never accept things the way they are simply because others say that's how it must be. A person can grow beyond the limits of his/her surroundings and not be constrained by those who wish to silence him/her. One must be prepared to make personal sacrifices as he/she strives for justice. Although one can never be truly perfect, we must all drive to become the best muslims that we can be.
So what have you learned from Malcom X? How has he inspired you?
none19
I just wanted to let everyone know that i joined the Books Village and so many people said their favorite autobiography was Malcolm X!! I invited them to join our village :)none19
thank you amina! :)Honestly what I wrote does not capture the true meaning of how truly inspirational Malcolm X has been for me in my path towards Islam. I just remembered the chapter where he is in prison and he questions the christian chaplain about the color of Jesus(pbuh).I went through a similar situation when I questioned my faith before I converted. And I know what you mean about a muddled sense of Identity. Even now I feel that as a Latina muslima. I am not only a minority but a minority in a minority, hehehe. But all that truly matters is that we're all people right? We are here to please no one :) I like Malcolm X's attitude about that. :)