Many years ago, world famous Human Rights activists, Malcolm X stunned the world when he converted to Islam and got people asking why. These are reasons why he left the Christian faith.
Malcolm X
Malcolm X, an African-American human rights activist and Muslim minister, is considered around the world as one of the most influential American human rights advocates in modern history.
Born as Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, the American leader who passed on February 21, 1965 will always be remembered as a courageous advocate for the rights of blacks.
In the history of America, he would always be listed among the greatest and most influential African Americans. Many accused him of preaching and promoting racism and violence because of his passion for defending the lives of the blacks.
Malcolm X had a turbulent childhood as he lost his father at the age of 6 while his mother was confined to an asylum when he was 13 years old. With this development, he lived in several foster homes. By the time he clocked 20, he was jailed for breaking and entering.
His stay in the prison molded and shaped him as he became a member of the Nation of Islam. After his parole in 1952, he became one of the organization’s most influential leaders.
He represented many controversial groups for 12 years and was particularly happy with his achievements while with the organization.
The Nation of Islam advocated for the separation of black and white Americans and boosted the black supremacy. Malcolm X at some point became disillusioned with the body and its leader.
He expressed his regrets about spending an irretrievable time with them and considered his association with them a waste. After then, he joined the Sunni Islam. He went to Hajj after travelling across Africa and the Middle East.
Check out the reasons Malcolm X converted to Islam below:
1. Acceptance by brothers in the faith
Malcolm converted to Islam because he was accepted for for who he was by his brothers in Islam. The religion gave him a freedom of expression and he did not have to feel uncomfortable about his skin colour.
Although, he noted that he was still badly treated about skin colour when he returned to the US like the other African-Americans.
2. Islam is not biased
Malcolm X reverted to Islam because of the neutrality of the group with racism. He had plans to fight the racism under the religion. Before he died, he went to Mecca and visited a lot of Muslims in their world. He enjoyed the recognition that came with being a Muslim brother.
He did not change his name to el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz; he said he would remain Malcolm X in as much as there is a protest and the need to fight against the injustices the people are involved in.
The video below shows Malcolm X sharing his views about the conversion to Islam:
Malcolm X met Betty Sanders, his wife, in 1955 after one of his lectures. She joined the Nation of Islam a year later and changed her name to Betty X. The couple could not date one on one because the Nation of Islam forbade it but they courted at social events with other people.
He proposed to her on the phone when he was at Detroit in 1958 and they got married two days later. Their union was blessed with 6 children; their twins were born in 1965 after his death.
In February 1965, he was assassinated by three members of the Nation of Islam.