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TWO IMPORTANT LETTERS FROM MALCOLM XWRITTENWHILE ON HIS HAJJ
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(ISLAM.) MALCOLM X.
Two letters to Charles Morris and Earl Grant,
members of Malcolm X’s “inner circle,” concerning the Muslim Mosque and
relations with African Muslims.
The first, single page, handwritten on Egyptian Air Mail
stationary (with a picture of the Great Mosque and a long caption inArabic.)With the envelope
addressed by Malcolm X (undated, however written inApril of 1964.)The second letter, dated
September 2, 1964, 1-1/2 pages 4to typed with the last half of the second page in manuscript
was written from Shepherd’s Hotel in Cairo,with the original envelope addressed by Malcolm
X.With Malcolm X’s copy of Sepia Magazine, referred to in the second letter.
Egypt, [April, 1964]; 2 September
[15,000/25,000]
A PAIR OF IMPORTANT LETTERS THAT FORMED A PART OF THE EVENING POLITICAL
EDUCATION SESSIONS OF THE OAAU
, (
ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN
-
AMERICAN UNITY
)
CONDUCTED BY JAMES SHABAZZ WHILE MALCOLM X WAS IN AFRICA
.
These letters, while
addressed to specific people, were intended by Malcolm to be copied, shared and read aloud.The first
letter, addressed “As salaamAleikum,My Dear Bro,” concludes with “El Hajj Malik el Shabazz,”
acknowledging Malcolm X’s new status as an orthodox Muslim.”I am writing from Medinah, sitting
inside the most beautiful Mosque in the world, and sitting just a few feet from the tomb of the Prophet
Muhammad. I left all my cameras in Cairo and you’ll be shocked when I tell you that had I brought
them I could have filmed the entire hajj. Perhaps it can be done later,Allah willing. I’m a guest of
Crown Prince Faisal, and they have been wonderful to me.” He explains that he is in a rush, to
prepare for his return to Jeddah and that he will be back in Cairo by the 27th—”Tell your wife to
please make sure the Sisters learn the complete Arabic prayer ritual.This is most important in the
MuslimWorld.There is actually no excuse for our not having been taught it. Greetings to all the
Believers. I have much to say when I see you.”The second letter was written from Cairo’s famous
Shepherd’s Hotel. Malcolm addresses the letter “Dear Brother Charles” (Charles is crossed out,
explained later in the context of the letter).This is a very important letter in terms of how theAmerican
Mosque, specifically the “Muslim Mosque Incorporated” (MMI, founded by Malcolm) should be
viewed by Africans, and how they,American Muslims should be able to interact and be a part of the
whole of Islam. Just prior to his hajj, (in February) Malcolm and the MMI had split off from Elijah
Muhammad and the Nation of Islam.Malcolm writes “Enclosed is a copy of a letter I’ve sent to the
Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity, which is meeting Sept. 5th in Ethiopia to
discuss the Congo crisis. Please ask Lynne [Lynne Carol Shifflett, a close friend and member of the
“inner circle”] and James 67X to combine their skill and effort and dedication to see that it is
mimeographed and given maximum circulation to the press, especially the Black Press. . . .and especially
JET.This is very important. I am trying to show the African Nations that the Afro-American is
interested in African problems, so that they will be more interested in Afro-American problems.The
‘enemy’ has very shrewdly convinced manyAfricans that theAfro-American is a hopeless (intellectually
limited) creature who sees the world through a very limited scope.” Regarding the “enemy” he goes
on to say that rumors had been spread in Egypt that the MMI had “folded” and that he had come
toAfrica “on nothing but NERVE.” He praises James 67X’s idea of a newsletter, “But James 67X
should also have fixed it up like he did the letter I sent from Mecca (I mean the memorandum
submitted by me to the heads of state).” Malcolm instructs Morris to copy the article in Sepia (a copy
enclosed with these letters) about the “Black Muslims” and send it to Mrs.W.E.B. Du Bois in
Ghana. He goes on “I didn’t know about the MMI being accepted into the Islamic Federation and
me being placed on its Board of Directors until Bro Reuben told me of it in a recent letter. I hope this
was put into the press because it adds to our religious authenticity.” Malcolm tacitly addresses the
question of leadership in the MMI and the “flock” back home. “It should be thoroughly understood
that I’m not looking for leadership; this is one reason I’d let anyone of the brothers there lead and I’d
follow him as long as he could show me the progress.” “No tree can exist without roots,” he says; he
is there in the Middle-East to make those roots “strong and deep so that they can weather the coming
storm.Tell my wife that I received the SEPIA and EBONY. . .Although I am addressing this to Earl,