logo
Malcolm X's Spiritual Shift: From The Nation Of Islam To Sunni Faith

Malcolm X's Spiritual Shift: From The Nation Of Islam To Sunni Faith

Source: Bettmann / Getty
Today marks 100 years since the birth of Malcolm X, one of the most significant figures in the history of Black America.
A century later, his enduring legacy is remembered not just in the United States but across the globe. The impact of his radical activism continues to be honoured worldwide, especially in the face of ongoing injustice. The final two years of Malcolm's life, following his break from the Nation of Islam, marked a pivotal shift toward internationalist and anti-capitalist values deeply embedded in his activism.
After returning from the Hajj in April 1964 and undertaking extensive travels across Africa and the Middle East, Malcolm concluded that 'our success in America will involve two circles: Black Nationalism and Islam.' Black Nationalism, he argued, was essential for connecting African Americans with Africa, while Islam served as the 'spiritual link to Africa, Arabia, and Asia.'
His famed Letter from Mecca , written during the Hajj, can thus be viewed as a revelatory moment foreshadowing the rapid evolution of his worldview and politics in the two years leading up to his untimely death.
The views expressed in the letter, which came as a surprise to his audience back home, not only confirmed the finality of his split from the Nation of Islam but also revealed his newfound commitment to a more universal vision of brotherhood, humanity, and international solidarity in the pursuit of Black liberation.
Upon returning to the United States, Malcolm X founded the Organisation of Afro-American Unity (OOAU) as an extension of his earlier Muslim Mosque, Inc. (MMI). His eventual fusion of Black Nationalism and Islam successfully brought together secular activists and Black Muslims from across the country, within a framework that was increasingly anti-capitalist, anti-colonial, and internationalist.
Malcolm drew inspiration from various African and Arab nationalist movements that combined socialism with ideals of global brotherhood and solidarity, such as the rise of Nasserism in Egypt and Kwame Nkrumah's anti-colonial efforts in Ghana. He also expressed support for revolutionary movements in China and Cuba, and even personally met with Fidel Castro before his departure from the Nation of Islam.
While his travels through the Muslim world reinforced the insights he gained during the Hajj, particularly that Islam is 'the one religion that erases from society the race problem,' his journey across Africa also awakened him to classism and other systemic forms of oppression within Black communities on the continent.
These experiences deepened his conviction that European colonialism and exploitation were inextricably linked to capitalist greed. He consistently voiced his anger at how European colonists had severely underdeveloped and continued to exploit African people, both on the continent and across the Atlantic.
In the final months of his life, Malcolm also traveled to Europe. He visited the United Kingdom twice, scathingly describing it as the birthplace of imperialism. In February 1965, shortly before his assassination, he visited a town in England's West Midlands after learning that local Black residents were being denied the right to buy or rent property in the area.
His first visit to the UK, only a few months earlier, was to debate at the Oxford Union, where he argued in favor of the motion: 'Extremism in the defence of liberty is no vice; moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.'
Thus, while Malcolm's break from the Nation of Islam reflected a shift toward a more internationalist approach to Black self-determination, his commitment to justice remained as radical and as 'extreme' as ever. One hundred years since his birth, the profound legacy of Malcolm's 'extremism' continues to inspire and endure.
If the liberation movements of today are successors to the radical sixties, when Malcolm X still walked among us, then his fearless fight for freedom remains an eternal symbol of justice, transcending time.
SEE ALSO
Malcolm X's Spiritual Shift: From The Nation Of Islam To Sunni Faith was originally published on hiphopwired.com
Black America Web Featured Video
CLOSE
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dismantling the Department of Education is a dangerous step backward
Dismantling the Department of Education is a dangerous step backward

The Hill

time2 hours ago

  • The Hill

Dismantling the Department of Education is a dangerous step backward

As a son of the South and a proud representative of New Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, Lafourche, Assumption, and the River Parishes, I know what education means to a child's future. That's because seen what happens when it's denied. Now, I am watching in real time as our nation walks backward. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court handed President Trump another victory in his mission to shrink and now dismantle the Department of Education. With this decision, nearly 1,400 public servants will be laid off. Vital programs will be gutted. Oversight of special education, civil rights enforcement in schools, after-school programming and college financial aid will be slashed or eliminated — all under the banner of 'returning control to the states.' Let me say this plainly: We've been here before. And we know what happens when the federal government turns its back on education and civil rights. During Reconstruction, the Freedmen's Bureau — a federal agency — built schools across the South to educate newly freed Black Americans. That wasn't a gesture of kindness. It was an act of justice. But when Reconstruction ended and federal protections were withdrawn, those schools closed, the progress collapsed, and systemic inequality returned with a bloody vengeance. That's not just history — it's a warning. We saw it again under Jim Crow, when separate-but-equal meant separate-and-unequal. And we saw it when four young Black girls had to be escorted by federal marshals just to walk into a schoolhouse. That wasn't a state triumph — it was a federal intervention. It was Washington, not the state capitol, that protected their right to learn. So, when this administration says it wants to 'return power to the states,' we must ask: Power to do what? Because too often, that phrase has been used as a shield for discrimination, neglect and inequality. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in her dissent, warned: 'When the executive publicly announces its intent to break the law, and then executes on that promise, it is the judiciary's duty to check that lawlessness — not expedite it.' She is correct. And her words echo my own belief that when faced with injustice, it takes action from all of what I call the three C's: Congress, the courts and the community. Congress must act — to protect education funding, to block reckless dismantling of federal agencies, and to ensure that every child, in every zip code, has equal access to a quality education. The courts must remain vigilant — to uphold the Constitution and reject political power grabs that undermine our democracy and our rights. And the community — you and I — must stay engaged, informed and vocal. We must attend school board meetings, call our elected officials, support teachers and students, and hold decision-makers accountable. I have spent my life in public service — first on the New Orleans City Council, then in the Louisiana Legislature, and now in Congress — because I believe government can be a force for good. But only if we fight to keep it that way. This decision is not about trimming fat. It is about cutting off lifelines — to students with disabilities, families relying on after-school care and communities still facing educational inequity. The world is watching. Our children are watching. And history is watching too. Let us rise to meet this moment — not retreat from it. Our children are not expendable. Our future is not negotiable. And our commitment to justice must never be optional.

ZIP Code Change Could Become US Law
ZIP Code Change Could Become US Law

Newsweek

time3 hours ago

  • Newsweek

ZIP Code Change Could Become US Law

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Two bills designed to help smaller municipalities generate more local revenue have successfully passed through the U.S. House of Representatives and may soon be signed into law by President Donald Trump. The bipartisan bills, HR 3095 and HR 672, introduced by Republican Representatives Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, respectively, would assign distinct ZIP codes to 80 communities across the country. HR 3095 was passed in a 278-121 vote, with 31 representatives not voting. HR 672 was passed unanimously. Why It Matters The ZIP code system was introduced in the U.S. in 1963, and while they're most commonly known for helping with mail deliveries, codes also help with emergency response planning, economic development and insurance assessments. Boebert has said cities without unique ZIP codes "have their sales tax revenue, insurance rates, mail delivery rates, and response times for first responders negatively impacted." The congresswoman said the legislation would "address these issues and directly improve the quality of life for Coloradans and Americans living in these communities." Stock image/file photo: A woman checking her mail. Stock image/file photo: A woman checking her mail. GETTY What To Know Boebert's bill, if signed into law, would affect 66 communities without unique ZIP codes across 19 states. The communities are listed below: California Canyon Lake Hidden Hills Industry North Tustin Tehachapi Colorado Castle Pines Centennial Cherry Hills Village Frederick Greenwood Village Highlands Ranch Keystone Lone Tree Mountain Village Mt. Crested Butte Severance Silver Cliff Sterling Ranch Superior Telluride Florida Coconut Creek Deerfield Beach Lighthouse Point Oakland Park Parkland Wilton Manors Illinois Burr Ridge Indiana Carmel Noblesville Westfield Zionsville Kentucky Camargo Louisiana Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge Montz Minnesota Quartzite Township Springwater Township Nevada Grass Valley New Hampshire Swanzey New Jersey Kinnelon New York Flanders Glendale Riverside Pendleton Wheatfield North Carolina Weddington Ohio Green Oklahoma Hochatown South Carolina Goose Creek Mauldin Texas Fairview Fate Heath Josephine Murphy Northlake Parker Sargent Virginia Fairlawn Wisconsin Caledonia Franklin Glendale Greenfield Rochester Village of Harrison Village of Mount Pleasant Village of Somers HR 672 would create unique ZIP codes for the following 14 areas: California Eastvale Colorado Castle Pines Silver Cliff Connecticut Scotland Florida Hollywood Miami Lakes Ocoee Iowa Urbandale Wisconsin Franklin Greenfield Village of Caledonia Village of Mount Pleasant Village of Somers Wyoming Mills What People Are Saying Republican Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado said in a news release: "Zip code reform is not a partisan issue; it's a unifying, fundamental need for the municipalities that have been denied their own zip code and have dealt with public safety issues, mail delivery problems for seniors and veterans, business permitting challenges, and the loss of revenue that leads to cutting public services. It's time for the Senators who represent the many communities in this bill to step up and deliver this bill to President Trump's desk." Democratic Representative Joe Courtney of Connecticut, who sponsored HR 672, said following the vote: "The people of Scotland [Connecticut] face the serious consequences of having six ZIP Codes for a town of less than 1,600 people. Delivery of Social Security notices and checks, Medicaid information, prescription medications, and absentee ballot applications are disrupted day in day out. Residents have paid their taxes to the wrong town and sent their children to the wrong school." What Happens Next Both bills are set to be reviewed by the Senate. If they pass, they will head to the White House to be signed into law.

Y'all Must Be Trippin': Why Black Unity Is Non-Negotiable In This Political Climate
Y'all Must Be Trippin': Why Black Unity Is Non-Negotiable In This Political Climate

Black America Web

time3 hours ago

  • Black America Web

Y'all Must Be Trippin': Why Black Unity Is Non-Negotiable In This Political Climate

Source: LeoPatrizi / Getty As a Black woman who walks around daily loving her Blackness, I'm tired. Tired of seeing the same recycled 'African vs. African American' debate clog my timelines and create division-centered conversations that should be rooted in solidarity. Tired of watching 'light skin vs. dark skin' tropes resurface every summer like it's tradition. Tired of watching us fight each other while living under a political administration that barely even acknowledges our humanity, let alone our pain. At a time when we are being bombarded by misinformation and disinformation, the infighting is not only divisive, but also dangerous, because while we're busy arguing about proximity to the motherland or the perceived perks of skin tone, we're missing the fact that we're all navigating a society that doesn't value our Blackness—period. Let's look at the facts. Anti-Blackness is global. It doesn't stop to ask whether your ancestors were enslaved in Virginia, or if your parents immigrated from Ghana or Nigeria. It doesn't differentiate between a Jamaican-American CEO and a fourth-generation Dominican-American teacher when police officers simply see you as a 'threat.' Systemic racism doesn't care about your background; it's trained to react to your Blackness. Whether via policing, housing, healthcare, or hiring practices, the unfair practices and systemic roadblocks affect us all. Meanwhile, the current administration has shown us who they are—repeatedly, and you still have Black folks championing his abrasive and archaic rhetoric as 'telling it like it is.' This is the same administration that gutted diversity and inclusion initiatives under the guise of 'anti-woke' policies. The same administration that orchestrated the erosion of voting rights protections and slashed federal aid programs and failed to address police brutality, maternal health disparities, or the racial wealth gap in any meaningful way– but sure, let's continue to make our fellow brothers and sisters from the motherland the problem. The 'African vs. African American' divide is rooted in centuries of trauma, colonization, and deliberate miseducation. Many African immigrants were taught that Black Americans are 'lazy', 'complaining,' or 'dangerous,' while African Americans were taught that Africans 'sold us into slavery' or 'looked down on us.' Both are oversimplifications born from colonial propaganda, and while unpacking that history is important, weaponizing it against each other is counterproductive. Just like the tired old 'light skin vs. dark skin' trope– equally corrosive. Colorism is real and stems from white supremacy and has been embedded in everything from media representation to sentencing disparities; but blaming each other for the roles we've been cast in by a racist society doesn't get us free—it keeps us shackled. It's important to remember what unity has truly given us. The Civil Rights Movement wasn't perfect, but it was powerful because it was collective . Leaders like Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael—both with Caribbean lineage—stood side by side with descendants of enslaved Americans to fight Jim Crow and demand justice. Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, proudly claimed her Barbadian heritage while championing the rights of and for all Black people. Together, they mobilized communities, passed laws, and changed the course of history, without any regard to where the individuals in the communities they served were dropped off first during the slave trade. Fast-forward to today, we are losing ground with the rollback of affirmative action, the attacks on Black history, and the rise in voter suppression laws; it's all part of a strategy to weaken our political power and erase our progress, while we remain distracted and weirdly upset at the fact that Essence Fest featured a jollof rice competition. We are fighting for our future; this is not the time for division– it's time for strategy, solidarity, and collective movement forward. We need to educate ourselves about all facets of the diaspora in addition to the Black experience. That means embracing the stories of Africans, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latinos, Black immigrants, and Black Americans. We have more in common than we've been taught to believe, and the beauty of our diversity is our strength and their threat. It's time to raise our children not to internalize these old tools for division, and instead teach them that Blackness is beautiful, expansive, global, and powerful. Future generations who understand that whether you're from Baltimore or Botswana, we're all a part of the same legacy of resilience and the same ongoing struggle for liberation. We need to call out internalized racism and colorism when we see it, even in our own homes. We need to uplift, protect, and invest in each other. Our votes matter. Our dollars matter. Our voices matter, but only if we use them together . Because the truth is, no one is coming to save us. We've seen that over and over again, and while America continues to debate our worth, strip our rights, and deny our realities, we cannot afford to continue to be distracted by stereotypes or shade–literally or figuratively. Black unity is not a hashtag or a moment; it is power and a political weapon. The stakes are too high for petty debates or performative divides. Our ancestors fought too hard and gave too much for us to squander the progress they made by turning on each other over something as miniscule as a boat stop that destroyed our families centuries ago. So to those still holding on to these tired arguments and spreading them online for clout, I say this with a smidgeon of love left and urgency: Playtime is over. Get your life and mind right before we leave you behind. Now, for the rest of us, it's time to get focused and strengthen our community — together. SEE ALSO: Alligator Alcatraz Is Racial Violence As Entertainment In America You Deserve: A Black Man's Guide To The Soft Life SEE ALSO Y'all Must Be Trippin': Why Black Unity Is Non-Negotiable In This Political Climate was originally published on

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store