Malcolm X
Malcolm X was a prominent black American Muslims (African-American). His figure can be compared to Dr. Martin Luther King who fought to remove all kinds of discrimination, particularly affecting the African-American.
”I know, people often killing people who try to change them for the better. If I die with bringing to light the ultimate truth for them, it will destroy the cancer of racism that undermined the body of the United States (U.S.). All that’s up to Allah SWT. Meanwhile, error or mistake in my efforts it is solely from my own.’ So the final message in the book “Malcolm X”, an autobiography written by Alex Harley.
Malcolm X was born on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, USA; with the original name Malcolm Little. His mother was Louise little and his father Earl little was a Baptist minister and member of the UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association), an organization that was started by Marcos Aurelius Garvey to facilitate improvement of life for African-Americans.
During his childhood, Malcolm and his family often targeted shootings, arson, harassment, and threats because her father was a militant member of the UNIA. Until finally her father was murdered a white racist group when he was six years old.
Losing a father who became patron, guidance as well as teachers, Malcolm small change into a wild child. School drop out when he was aged about 15 years. He would often stay on the streets. Street life and passion in the life of the black world, has made him fall into a variety of gang life, drugs, liquor, gambling, and prostitution. This life he lived until his family moved to Harlem (region famous for American blacks) in New York.
At the age of 20 years, Malcolm brought to trial on the case of theft and detained until the age of 27 years. Like a prisoner, much hullabaloo was doing during the jail. Repeatedly he had to get out of jail due to the act of doing.
As a result of this is behind the prison walls, he actually found was what is called enlightenment itself, ranging from reading and writing in prison Charlestown State.
Then, there was contact with his brother, Philbert, through correspondence. He also frequently discuss with his siblings, Hilda, who often visited him while in prison. Discussions that occur under the teachings of Islam in place of his two brothers were involved, namely the Nation of Islam (NOI). Until finally he decided to convert to Islam.
X initials behind his name indicate that he is a former smoker, ex drunk, ex-Christian, and former slaves.
During the prison, Malcolm correspondence with Elijah Muhammad, leader of the followers as well as figures for Noi. That’s why he understood the meaning of oppression and injustice that afflicts the black race. Malcolm had become a prisoner of nerds. He engaged literature, religion, language, and philosophy.
In 1952, he was released. Malcolm went straight to Chicago to join the NOI. A year later he returned to Boston to organize the establishment of a mosque. Until then he was made priest Seven Mosque (Temple Seven) in Harlem.
Noi grown into a nationwide organization. Malcolm himself became a famous figure in the world, ranging from interviews on television, magazines, and speaker at leading universities and other forums. Popularity appeared for his words firm and critical, about the difficulties experienced by the Negro, which is about discrimination and violence attitude shown towards his people, white people (blacks).
However, the NOI also provides views to be racist. So, he refuses any help from whites who really support the cause of discrimination. In fact, for 12 years, Malcolm preached that whites are the devil and the honorable Elijah Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
The view is of course contrary to the teaching of Islam itself, which does not distinguish between honors and disgrace someone based on race, and there is no prophet after Prophet Muhammad SAW. Racist views of the NOI, making Malcolm then realize that it is as a doctrine that is not rahmatan lil alamin. Because of this, he decided out of the NOI.
Malcolm said he often received warning that the accusations to the white, has no basis in Islamic perspective. Among other things, which give warning is precisely from among the Muslim Middle East or North African Muslims. However, they assume Malcolm really embraced Islam and said that if he chance to know the true Islam, would understand his teachings and uphold the teachings.
Back to Pure Islamic Teachings
In 1964, after a pilgrimage to Mecca, Malcolm X get a different picture of his views so far. Moreover, after the encounter with the Muslims from all over the world, from different races, nations, and skin color are all praising the Lord that one and did not distinguish each other. Malcolm said,’ The experience of the pilgrimage which I experience and see for yourself, really forced me to change my mindset a lot earlier and get rid of some of my thoughts. It was not difficult for me.”
These words as proof that he is changing the outlook on life, the struggle for civil rights of Negroes into the idea of internationalism and humanism of Islam. Malcolm X also began to abandon the ideology of separatism and his black skin turned to the teachings of Islam. He also changed his name to El-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz. Despite renaming, Malcolm X is much more popular than her new name. Malcolm asserts that black Muslims came from the same ancestors Muslims. Travel Hajj, he said, has opened horizons of thinking to bestow a new perspective for two weeks in the Holy Land.
Truth of Islam has demonstrated to himself that blind hatred for all white people is the wrong attitude, as if the same attitude carried whites against the Negro. On the second trip to the Middle East in 1964, Malcolm X took a visit to Africa, the land of his ancestors. During the eight weeks, he audience with Egyptian President Gamal Abdul Nasser, President of Nigeria Naomi Azikiwe, President of Tanzania Julius K. Nyarere, President of Guinea Sekou Toure, President of Kenya Jomo Kenyatta, and Prime Minister Milton Obote of Uganda. He also met with religious leaders of African nationals, Arabs, and Asia, both Muslim and non-Muslim.
”I see something I have never seen for 39 years living in the United States. I see all races and colors brothers and worship the one God without consider as an ally. True in the past, I hate being on all white people. However, I do not feel guilty with that attitude anymore, because now I know that there are white people who are sincere and willing to siblings with niggers,”he said.
Malcolm X eventually founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity on June 28, 1964 in New York. Through this organization, he published the Muhammad Speaks which is now renamed Bilalian News (News the Bilali [Black Muslim].)
However, he did not get long to enjoy his efforts in fighting for a better Muslim. On February 21, 1965, the time will give a talk at a hotel in New York; Malcolm X was shot dead by three African-Americans. A group that he fought on the values and the rights of black citizens. No one knows what the motive behind the shooting.
Nevertheless, the dream of spreading the vision of Malcolm X antiracism and Islamic values are humanist, arouse among African-Americans and the world. Many were sympathetic to him. In fact, thanks to his struggle as well, many people who converted to Islam. One of them is Classis Clay Junior, a heavyweight boxer who eventually changed its name to Muhammad Ali.
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