“And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah: ‘They are dead.’ Nay, they are living, though ye perceive (it) not.” – Qur’an 2:154
Join the Nur-Allah Islamic Center on Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, and other Indianapolis groups and supporters as we celebrate the 100th birthday of El-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz, commonly known as Malcolm X, a major influencer in American history — a man who still motivates and inspires millions of people around the world. This event promises to be a celebration full of education that we can cherish for life, G_d Willing!
Malcolm Little was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on Tuesday, May 19, 1925, the seventh child of his father Earl Little and the fourth child of his mother Louise. His father was a tall, dark-skinned man from Reynolds, GA, and his bi-racial mother was from Grenada, in the British West Indies. Both of his parents were strong, open advocates for Marcus Garvey. Many believe that Earl Little’s outspokenness on “Back to Africa” led to his untimely death in Lansing, MI.
With the passing of his father, which resulted in his mother being placed in a mental institution, Malcolm’s childhood was tumultuous and unpredictable, but, nonetheless, the Will of Allah was at work even with Malcolm’s incarceration in Charlestown State Prison in Boston, MA.
After prison, the trajectory of Malcolm’s life skyrocketed, first as the leading minister for the Honorable Elijah Muhammad in the Nation of Islam. This is where Malcolm grew into national and international prominence as the mouthpiece of Elijah Muhammad, articulating a message of black heritage and racial pride under the label of “Islam.”
Malcolm was a contemporary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Their divergent approaches for addressing the uplift of African Americans were for the same objective: to dismantle the dismal conditions of their people. Some saw Malcolm X as “controversial” while many saw him as an iconic hero who gave his life fighting for freedom, justice and equality for the common man and woman. Surely, all will agree that Malcolm was, and remains, a great influencer of thought and actions in America and worldwide.
Reflecting on the verse from the Qur’an, “And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah: ‘They are dead.’ Nay, they are living, though ye perceive (it) not,” we are reminded that the works of a person lives on – their impactful words lives on, and on and on … Allah will not let their good works go in vain.
For his 100th birthday, we want to celebrate, rejoice and appreciate him holistically El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) was multifaceted.
He was only 39 years old when he was martyred — the same age that Dr. Martin Luther King was when he was unjustly slain — both men were still developing and viewed as a threat to the powers that be. So, this year we are reclaiming Malcolm’s role as a bold outspoken leader, a father, a husband and most assuredly, we want to reclaim him as a man of great faith.
Beginning on Saturday, May 17, from 12-5 p.m., at Riverside Family Center, located at 2440 E. Riverside Dr., this family-friendly two-day, multi-generational gathering is welcoming to people of all races and religions. Activities will include an interfaith panel discussion that is intergenerational. We’ll have vendors, educational games, spoken word artists, poets, African drummers and dancers and more.
On Sunday, May 18, we will continue celebrating this 100th birthday by hosting a Malcolm X Cookout at our Nur-Allah Islamic Center property at 830 N. Mitthoefer Rd. Sunday’s events will include a special presentation by Dr. Clete Ladd Hassan, the author of the book, “The Theology of Minister Malcolm X (An Afrikan American male rite of passage),” plus a female panel discussion on “Influential Women in the Life of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm X).”
Sunday events will continue with vendors, educational games, spoken word artists, poets, a bouncy house and more. For more information, call 317-753-3754 or visit nurallah.org.
The life and spirit of El-Hajj Malik EL-Shabazz lives on within each of us who believes in just for ALL PEOPLE.
