Happy Birthday, Malcolm X!

by Ibrahim Ramey

We join today with millions of people around the world to remember the life and great accomplishments of Muslim leader El Hajj Malik el Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X, who was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 19th, 1925.  He was assassinated on February 21st, 1954, in New York City.

Brother Malcolm remains arguably the best known and most celebrated Muslim-American leader of the last 100 years. His legacy of struggle for liberation and justice for oppressed African-Americans was transformed into a call for universal justice for all oppressed people-not only in the United States, but globally.  

Indeed,  Malcolm's uncompromised stand against unjust war, racism, and the oppression of poor people inspired a generation of  activists in the 1960's and beyond, and it opened the door for countless people in America-and especially Americans of African ancestry-to study, and embrace, the religion of Islam.   His autobiography remains one of the essential books that people of faith and conscience continue to read.

May Allah (SWT) bless the memory of Brother Malcolm, and guide all of us to continue his legacy of struggle for the justice that all human beings should enjoy.  Ameen!