Malcolm X still role model, daughter claims while visiting Turkey

Duvar English

The legendary defender of African-American rights Malcolm X remains a role model for the youth and his legacy remains relevant on the 55th anniversary of his death, his daughter Ilyasah Shabazz said at an event in Aegean province of İzmir on Feb. 19.

Malcolm X was arguably the most cherished Muslim-American in pop culture, Shabazz said. The racial justice warrior was assassinated by members of the African-American movement Nation of Islam after leaving the group and recanting their radical belief that whites embodied "evil."

"He was bright, compassionate and sincere. He was iconic. He was a human like all of us," Shabazz said at an event entitled "Malcolm X and His Impact on American Islam", which was organized by the Communications Directorate of the Presidency Office.

Shabazz said that her father had committed his life to the well being of humanity and to the fight for equal rights for all.

"The government's racism had condemned him to second-class citizenship and the administration's police force had been working against him. Despite that, he continued to fight for us," Shabazz said.

Noting that her father thought racism stood in the way of the United States' greatness, Shabazz said Malcolm X wanted to bring peace to the world.

"The most important lesson he gave us was faith. He believed in Allah with all his being. He served him unconditionally," Shabazz said about the Nation of Islam leader who later renounced the group's radical belief that blacks were the first people, and whites were "the devil."

Division in society is the reason why certain issues remain unsolved, Shabazz said, adding that peace can only be achieved through unity.

"We need to look at common values shared by humankind, to the unison of Allah" Shabazz said.