👶 Early Life

• Born: May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, USA
• Birth Name: Malcolm Little
• His father, a Baptist preacher and supporter of Black leader Marcus Garvey, died under suspicious circumstances. His mother was later institutionalized.
• As a young man, Malcolm was intelligent but faced racism and poverty, which led him into a life of crime.

🚨 Prison and Transformation

In 1946, Malcolm was sentenced to 10 years in prison for burglary. It was during his time in prison that his transformation began.

• In prison, Malcolm was introduced to the Nation of Islam (NOI) through letters and visits from his siblings.
• The Nation of Islam, led by Elijah Muhammad, taught a form of Islam blended with Black nationalism, emphasizing racial pride and self-discipline.
• Malcolm read extensively in prison—philosophy, religion, and history—and became deeply committed to reforming himself.

📖 “People don’t realize how a man’s whole life can be changed by one book.” — Malcolm X

🗣️ Rise in the Nation of Islam

• After his release in 1952, Malcolm dropped his surname “Little,” calling it a slave name, and replaced it with “X” to symbolize his lost African identity.
• He became a powerful speaker and minister in the Nation of Islam, helping it grow rapidly.
• He was known for his fiery speeches against racism, white supremacy, and injustice.

✊ “You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.”

🕋 Breaking from the Nation & Hajj to Makkah

In 1964, Malcolm became disillusioned with Elijah Muhammad after discovering moral inconsistencies and corruption within the Nation.

• That year, he left the Nation of Islam and founded Muslim Mosque, Inc.
• He then made the Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah—a life-changing moment.

🌍 Hajj: A Spiritual Awakening

Malcolm’s experience in Saudi Arabia was transformative:

• He saw Muslims of all races—Black, white, Asian—praying side by side in peace and equality.
• This broke his belief that all white people were inherently evil, a view he had held under the Nation of Islam.
• He embraced Sunni Islam and took on a new name: El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.

🕊️ “I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespective of their color.” — from his letter during Hajj

🕯️ Legacy and Assassination

• After Hajj, Malcolm X began preaching a more universal message of Islam, justice, and peace.
• He became a bridge between Islam and the American civil rights movement, inspiring both Muslims and non-Muslims.
• On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated in New York City at the age of 39.

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📚 Legacy

• Malcolm X’s autobiography, written with Alex Haley, remains a classic work on race, identity, and spirituality.
• He is remembered as one of the most courageous voices against oppression in American history.
• His journey from crime to Islam, hate to understanding, is an inspiration to millions.

🌟 “Islam is the only religion that gives both the white man and the Black man what they need to solve their problem.” — Malcolm X