It has been 45 years since the life of Malcolm X was silenced on February 21, 1965 at the Audubon Theater in New York City. Since that fateful day America and the world has witnessed numerous changes that has brought the human family closer to the world community that G-d promises in the scriptures.
Malcolm the man and Malcolm the legacy has been an instrumental participant that G-d has used in bringing that promise into fulfillment.
On Sunday May 23, the Nur-Allah Islamic Center is sponsoring a panel discussion of distinguished speakers who will address various aspects of Malik Shabazz, commonly known as Malcolm X.
The Malcolm X program is part of an effort to raise awareness and monies for building a āGreen (ecologically-friendly) mosque and school.ā The union of the two efforts is a ānaturalā in that Malcolm wanted to unite all people across many stratums in order to bring them into a new and fresh view.
That too is the intent of Nur-Allah Islamic Center building a āGreen Mosque;ā to bring people together via interfaith and sharing with all people the clarity of Al-Islam and the life model of Prophet Muhammed, prayers and peace be upon him.
Our distinguished panelist are: Omar Farooq a 35-year Malcolm X archivist of Terre Haute, Ind.; Dr. Gwendolyn Crenshaw, the adjunct instructor of African-American and African Diaspora Studies at IUPUI; Imam Muhammad Siddeeq the former director of the University of Islam in New York City from 1966-1976; and Charlie Wiles the director of the International Interfaith Initiative.
Malcolm X has yet to be properly shown to the American society. The attempts made by Hollywood barely highlight the total Malcolm, and other endeavors to share him are often slanted to favor the presenterās agenda.
Our effort here is to let each panelist speak of Malcolm from their respective perspectives while seeking opportunities to blend the best of Malcolm in ways that unite the human family. Where the panelists will differ, we will accept those variations as opportunities to learn from one another.
There will be rare photos and letters on display that were written by Malcolm as well as audio clips of some of his speeches that to date, have received little publication.
The panelist discussion and the materials to be shared with the audience are sure to provide all who attend an exciting, informative and inspirational evening.
Tickets are $5 and are available at the Nur-Allah Islamic Center. For more information, call (317) 823-3920 or visit www.nurallah.org.
NOTE: The spelling of G-d for āGodā is used when referencing or mentioning our creator to avoid the spelling āGod,ā which in reverse spells ādog.ā We feel that it is disrespectful to have a spelling for our creator that reminds the reader of a dog. Surely, our creator is greater!
For questions or comments send them to: Al-Islam in America, C/O Imam Mikal Saahir, Nur-Allah Islamic Center, 2040 E. 46th St., Indianapolis, Ind. 46205 or e āmail nurallah-ic@juno.com.