Political Trajectory
Malcolm X started his political life in 1948 at the age of 23. From prison, he joined the Nation of Islam and gradually became influential and close to Elijah Muhammad, the leader of NI. Malcolm X's views, advocating racial separation and embracing animosity towards the white people, were challenged by the political views expressed at the Bandung Conference in 1954, which called for solidarity among Third World Nations who were from different races and colors to face Imperialism and to fight for autonomy. In parallel to that, Malcolm X was learning more about traditional Islam including the principles of equality and brotherhood of all people, regardless of their color or class. In his visits to the African and Arab countries, he experienced life outside the United Stated. He was impressed and proud to learn about the ancient civilization of the African people and he saw for himself the egalitarian principles of Islam during hajj, and he found in the Organization of African States an international platform to voice the cause of African Americans and to bring this cause to the United Nations and against the United States. He began to reject the version of Islam taught by the Nation of Islam.
In the last year of his life, Malcolm X converted to traditional Islam and started to build connections with international organizations fighting imperialism. Most of his last year was spent traveling in Africa and the Middle East. In July 1964, 20 scholarships were offered to students from his foundation, the Muslim Mosque Incorporate, to study in al-Azhar University.
Malcolm X was assassinated in February 22 1965.
1948 - March 1964, Malcolm X joins Nation of Islam.
1954 "Malcolm uses the 1954 Bandung Conference of African and Asian nations as a model for black unity in America."
1959 July Travels for three weeks as Elijah Muhammad’s ambassador to Middle East and Africa.Visits Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Nigeria, and Ghana using the name Malik Shabbaz.
Following his visit to Cairo, he founded the Organization of African American Unity (OAAU), a political body that he hoped would operate like the Organization of African States as a political entity that could make demands and lobby international bodies like the United Nations on behalf of the African diaspora.
1960 September ,informal Bandung Conference in Harlem, meeting Fidel Castro
1960 September , Nasser joins the informal Bandung Conference in Harlem
1963 11, 7 meets Ahmed Osman, a Sudanese student expressing his belief that Islam had no place for hatred based on race, leading to a gradual change in Malcolm X political beliefs and introduction to traditiona Islam.
1964 03.08 Malcolm X leaves Nation Of Islam
Malcolm X announced the establishment of Muslim Mosque, Inc. on, four days after his departure from the Nation of Islam
April 8, 1964 Dr. Mahmoud Youssef Shawarbi , an Egyptian born scholar and Muslim preacher declares Malcolm X a Muslim
April 21, 1964. Came to Mecca for Hajj and as a guest of honor guest of the Stare by Saudi Arabia's Prince Faisal King Faisal
1964 May 1, Malcolm X visits Beirut Invited by Malik Badri
Following his speech at the University of Ibadan, Malcolm X was made an honorary member of the Nigerian Muslim Students' Association, students bestowed upon him the name "Omowale", which means "the son who has come home"
In hajj, Malcolm had met and befriended a Sudanese scholar called Shiekh Ahmed Hassoun who taught in Mecca for 35 years, who eventually became Malcolm’s spiritual advisor, and later taught at the Muslim Mosque Inc
July 27, 1964, attending the summit of the Organization of African Unity in Cairo. Following Malcolm’s second visit to Egypt, Al-Azhar University would establish a scholarship for twenty MMI students to study at that institution
1964 July 9–November 24 - Tours Africa, Middle East, and London. Visits fourteen nations and meets with at least eight heads of state and numerous other leaders.
Poster from 2015 event at AUB, ASC Jafet Library.
Poster from 2015 event at AUB, ASC Jafet Library.
Poster from 2015 event at AUB, ASC Jafet Library.
