SUBJECT:
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
SAC, NEW YORK (105-8999)
MALCOLM K. LITTLE AKA
Malcolm X, Malcolm Shabazz,
Malik El Shabazz, Malik
Shabazz
IS-NOI
(OO:NEW YORK)
Re Miami airtel dated 1/21/64.
For the information of Miami, local NYC newspapers have recently carried stories which indicate that subject has spent a week in Miami, Florida, vacationing with his wife BETTY, and their three young daughters. According to the articles, subject and his family were the guests of heavyweight contender CASSIUS CLAY while in Miami.
CLAY and subject returned together by plane to NYC on 1/21/64. That same evening, CLAY was the guest of honor and speaker at a Dinner Social sponsored by the FOI and MGT of Mosque No. 7, NYC, held in Rockland Palace, 8th Avenue and 155th St., NYC. Subject did not attend the affair, and CLAY reportedly returned to Miami the following day. In a newspaper interview CLAY advised that his managers did not know that he was making this trip to NYC, and they were quite upset about it.
On 12/4/63, subject was temporarily suspended by NOI leader ELIJAH MUHAMMAD for remarks subject made in NYC on 12/1/63, relative to the assassination of former President KENNEDY. Since then subject has been forbidden to speak in public and has not outwardly engaged in any NOI activity, although he is still considered the Minister of Mosque No. 7. He has spent his time relaxing in his Queens home and working on a book about the NOI. [BUREAU DELETION] in New York did not know of his trip to Miami.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Date 2/5/64
Malcolm Little advised he is generally known as Malcolm X and resides at 23-11 97th Street, Queens, New York City. He stated that until sometime in December, 1963, he was the Minister in charge of the Nation of Islam (NOI) Mosque in New York City. In December, 1963, he was suspended by ELIJAH MUHAMMAD from his duties. He would not say the reason for his suspension or its duration. He stated that any comment on this would have to come from ELIJAH MUHAMMAD.
He stated that his suspension from duties caused him to reappraise his loyalty to the NOI and ELIJAH MUHAMMAD. He stated that because of his suspension, he is now more firmly devoted to ELIJAH MUHAMMAD than ever. He pointed out that his suspension proves that the rules of the NOI apply to everyone equally. He stated he is in no way bitter towards ELIJAH MUHAMMAD and that anything that might have caused his suspension was entirely his own fault and he could blame no one else.
He stated that the NOI cooperates with the United States government more than any other Negro organization in that the NOI stops members from smoking, drinking, and committing crimes and many other things which result in a benefit to the United States government but which the government is unable or unwilling to do itself. Because of this, the NOI is the only group that really benefits the Negroes. He pointed out that other Negro groups do not have a program which will benefit the Negro and eventually the Negro will realize this. He stated that when the Negro realizes that the government, white people and so-called Negro leaders are not really helping the Negro or obtaining for the Negro the things which he wants or should have, then the Negro will start helping himself to these things. He did not care to explain this except by stating that at that time there could be a great deal of trouble.
He stated that the so-called Negro leaders are incompetent to lead the Negroes and stated that BAYARD RUSTIN, who was a leader of the one-day school boycott in New York City on February 3, 1964, is nothing but a homosexual. He furnished no other information on either RUSTIN or any other person he considered a Negro leader. He reiterated that he is cooperating with the government in view of the principles of the NOI but to suggest any other means of cooperation was an insult to his intelligence. He stated the teachings of the NOI are public and are well known to the Government. He stated he had no information concerning membership of the NOI, either as to numbers or names and even if he did have such information, he was not disposed to furnish it to the government.
He stated that he would have no objection to being contacted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding demonstrations or other public affairs contemplated by the NOI. He stated he realized that in the past the NOI has been blamed for a number of incidents with which they were, in fact, not involved. He stated he would be most willing to be contacted in order to clear up any such possible misunderstanding.
23-11 97th Street
On 2/4/64 at Queens, New York City File # NY 105-8999
by SAS [BUREAU DELETION] and [BUREAU DELETION]
Date dictated 2/5/64
February 10, 1964
The Rift Widens Between Elijah Muhammad
and his Principal Lieutenant Malcolm X Little
The rift between Elijah Muhammad, self-proclaimed Messenger of Allah and the leader of the fanatical Black Muslim hate group, and his erstwhile Lieutenant Malcolm X Little appears to be widening. Little was silenced officially and publicly by Muhammad a short while after President Kennedy’s assassination inasmuch as Little had made stupid and ill-timed remarks to the effect that President Kennedy’s death gave him pleasure.
Little has not taken this disciplinary action gracefully and he has attempted to develop sympathy and backing for his position among other leaders of the Black Muslims in various sections of the country. He evidently feels that Elijah Muhammad is in his declining years and that he is slipping. It is no secret that Little would not hesitate one moment to take over the leadership of the Nation of Islam (NOI) and incidentally begin living in the regal style which Elijah Muhammad enjoys. While Muhammad may be getting older, he is far from ready to hand over the reins of the NOI and all the affluent service benefits that go with it to Little. Muhammad is reportedly fuming at the temerity Little has exhibited in questioning the “Messenger’s” judgment and it would not surprise anyone at all familiar with the works of the NOI to see Little summarily expelled from this organization if he continues to buck the orders and wishes of Elijah Muhammad.
FBI
Date: 3/3/64
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DIRECTOR, FBI (100-399321)
SAC, MIAMI (105-8554) (P)
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, aka
IS-NOI
(OO:NEW YORK)
[BUREAU DELETION] of the recent publicity given the NOI in the Miami area in connection with the “LISTON-CLAY fight” [BUREAU DELETION], He said the Hampton House is the logical gathering place in Miami for any visiting NOI official or other prominent Negroes. [BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM X stayed at the Hampton House during that period and was to leave on 2/27/64. While there MALCOLM X was in contact with [BUREAU DELETION].
[BUREAU DELETION] MALCOLM X had conferences with CASSIUS CLAY and his brother, RUDOLPH, and he tried to instill confidence in CLAY prior to the fight. He also reported that MALCOLM X said he would return to Miami in March, 1964, and also made the statement, “If you think CASSIUS CLAY was loud, wait until I start talking on the first of March.”
[BUREAU DELETION] believed MALCOLM X might oppose the NOI leadership of ELIJAH MUHAMMAD with the assistance of CLAY in the near future.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
New York, New York
March 9, 1964
Malcolm K. Little
Internal Security - Nation of Islam
The March 9, 1964 edition of the New York Times, a daily newspaper published in New York, New York, contained an article on page 1 entitled “Malcolm X Splits With Muhammad.” It is noted that Little is publicly known as “Malcolm X.”
The article reflected that on the night of March 8, 1964, Little announced that he had broken with Elijah Muhammad’s Black Muslim movement and he would organize a politically oriented “black nationalist party.”
According to the article, Little claimed that he was still a Muslim “but the main emphasis of the new movement will be black na
tionalism as a political concept and form of social action against the oppressors.” Little stated the party would seek to convert the Negro population from non-violence to active self-defense against white supremacists in all parts of the country.
Little stated that he would accept speaking engagements at colleges and universities, and would cooperate in local civil rights actions in the South and elsewhere in order to heighten the political consciousness of the Negroes and intensify their identification against white society. Little claimed that he has already accepted an invitation to help a civil rights committee in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.
Little stated, according to the article, that his first task would be to construct an organization based in New York. He claimed support from many Negro intellectuals and professionals who could not accept Islam but accepted the Black Muslim view of race relations in the United States.
Little claimed that he had not been invited to the annual Black Muslim convention in Chicago on February 26, 1964, and he could not get a clarification of his suspension status from Elijah Muhammad. Consequently, he decided that he could best spread Mr. Muhammad’s message by staying out of the Nation of Islam (NOI) and working on his own among non-Muslim Negroes. He further claimed that he was not trying to split the Muslims, and advised all NOI members to remain in the NOI, stating that he was not encouraging them to follow him. Little also claimed that his suspension was due to the jealousy of Elijah Muhammad’s family aroused by his previous popularity.
[BUREAU DELETION]
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of any kind. It is the property of the FBI, and is a loan to your agency; it and/or its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
AIRTEL
3/12/64
AIR MAIL - REGISTERED MAIL
TO:
FROM:
DIRECTOR, FBI (25-330971-33)
SAC, PHOENIX (105-93)
NATION OF ISLAM
IS-NOI
On 3/9/64, [BUREAU DELETION] made available the following information:
[BUREAU DELETION] spoke about the other situation and said that he (believed referring to MALCOLM LITTLE) has definitely given it to the news media and that MALCOLM was on the TV “Today” show. ELIJAH stated he could hardly believe it at first, but actually it turned out to be the truth. ELIJAH stated he had [BUREAU DELETION] to contact him (MALCOLM) and [BUREAU DELETION] said that he (MALCOLM) told him that he had not given up Islam. ELIJAH said he wrote MALCOLM the previous week and told him that he (MALCOLM) is drunk over publicity and leadership. ELIJAH stated he did not intend to give him (MALCOLM) the place (No. 7) back, no matter what he did. ELIJAH stated if he did do so, MALCOLM would set up a crew one hundred percent for him (MALCOLM) and not with them in Chicago. ELIJAH said “he wants to oppose us.” ELIJAH stated MALCOLM thinks he is smart, but he (ELIJAH) has too much experience. He said the man is in danger going to an organization he has been criticizing. He said “who is going to back him up?” ELIJAH said no one. [BUREAU DELETION] stated the one who is working with MALCOLM is “MISHHAM” (phonetic). [BUREAU DELETION] stated when they all saw it in the paper, then they divided and they all want to be leaders. ELIJAH said MALCOLM would not be successful and he will come running back and ask to be forgiven. He said they will learn that Allah is with him (ELIJAH) and him alone. It will be a lesson for MALCOLM.
ELIJAH inquired about MALCOLM’S house as to who bought it and who was paying the mortgage. [BUREAU DELETION] stated the Nation (NOI) is paying the mortgage and that the house belongs to ELIJAH and the mosque put down $5,000 and paid the note. [BUREAU DELETION] said the house is actually in the name of the mosque and even MALCOLM’S car is also. ELIJAH told JOSEPH to send a letter or have the secretary send one to MALCOLM and tell him he must give up the house. ELIJAH suggested the letter be signed by [BUREAU DELETION] as well as several others at the mosque. He said they should demand that MALCOLM vacate the house and give up everything he has that belongs to Islam. [BUREAU DELETION] stated the only records he knew of that MALCOLM has would be the incorporation papers for the mosque. ELIJAH said MALCOLM should be asked to give them up also. ELIJAH stated the letter directed to MALCOLM should be notarized and signed by six or seven of the brothers. Upon speaking about the house that MALCOLM is living in ELIJAH told [BUREAU DELETION]. ELIJAH said [BUREAU DELETION] should not mention this until MALCOLM is out.
The first page in the FBI file on Malcolm X; it states the Bureau’s reason—two letters in which Malcolm refers to Communism—for opening its investigation.
Malcolm Little at fifteen sporting a zoot suit; the photo was taken in Boston,
Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture
Harlem’s Hotel Theresa, at 125th Street and Seventh Avenue, where Malcolm headquartered his Muslim Mosque
Perhaps the most familiar studio photograph of Malcolm X.
Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture
Malcolm X on the dais with Elijah Muhammad—the One True Messenger of Allah—and an unidentified sister at a meeting of the Nation of Islam. Lawrence Henry Collection
Malcolm (second from left) at an NOI dinner. Seated at his right is Minister James Shabazz, Temple of Islam No. 2, Chicago, Wallace Muhammad, son of Elijah Muhammad, sits at his immediate left, and Herbert Muhammad, another of Elijah Muhammad’s sons, is third from Malcolm’s left. New York Amsterdam News Photo
Malcolm X speaks. This photo was taken in Rev. Milton Galamiason’s Shiloh Baptist Church in Harlem during the school desegregation demonstration, March 15, 1964. Lawrence Henry Collection
With Adam Clayton Powell during a coffee break at a Harlem rally.
Lawrence Henry Collection
With Martin Luther King, Jr., on the only occasion the two actually met face to face. King had just completed a news conference in the U.S. Capitol; the date was March 24, 1964. UPI
Malcolm on the steps of the State Building in Albany, New York. He is flanked on his right by Charles Rangel and on his left by Percy Sutton, his friend and attorney. E. M. Somers
Malcolm in Africa during his last visit there in 1964,
Lawrence Henry Collection
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
New York, New York
March 11, 1964
Malcolm K. Little
Internal Security - Nation of Islam
On March 9, 1964, from 10:00 P.M. to 10:30 P.M., Little appeared on the news commentary and interview program “The World at Ten,” television station WNDT, Channel 13, New York, New York. He was interviewed by WNDT commentator Joe Durso relative to his announcement on March 8, 1964, that he had split with the NOI.
During the interview Little specifically pointed out that he was not setting up a rival organization to the NOI. He stated that Islam was still his religion, he still believed in Allah, he still considered himself a follower of Elijah Muhammad, and he still considered the separation of races as taught by Muhammad as the solution to the race problem. He advised that he has decided that the best way to serve Muhammad was to stay out of the NOI and work on his own with non-Muslims. This way he will be free of NOI restrictions that previously kept him from reaching all Negroes, and he will urge them to follow Elijah Muhammad. He added that he can now do what “he” thinks is necessary to enlighten the people toward Muhammad and Islam. He stated he intended to teach a political, economic and social philosophy of black nationalism.
In regard to the current civil rights movement, Little predicted that the struggle would “explode” in 1964 and expressed the opinion that young Negroes are now willing to do anything for integration. He feels that if they are not protected in this activity, then they must take up arms. He specifically pointed out that he was not urging or teaching retaliation, only self-protection. As an example he cited the unsolved bombing of a Negro church in Birmingham that resulted in the death of four girls, and it was his opinion that Negroes (not specified) should solve this and other such wr
ongs and execute those responsible.
Little stated that he was only interested in “freedom, justice and equality” for Negroes. He added that they have not gotten it by being polite, and he feels that they should now get angry.
In regard to his suspension by Muhammad in December, 1963, for his remark concerning the assassination of former President Kennedy, Little advised that the suspension was not for the remark itself. He explained that the suspension was for his disobedience to Muhammad for making the remark, since Muhammad had told him not to comment on the assassination. He further stated that the suspension was originally for a ninety-day period, but he recently learned from Muhammad that it would be for an indefinite period. Consequently, he decided to stay out of the NOI and speak out on his own.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
New York, New York
March 13, 1964
Muslim Mosque, Incorporated
Internal Security - Miscellaneous
On March 12, 1964, Malcolm K. Little, known generally as Malcolm X, held a press conference at 11:00 A.M. in the Tapestry Suite of the Park Sheraton Hotel, 7th Avenue and 55th Street, New York, New York. Approximately sixty persons attended the conference.
Malcolm X opened his press conference by reading a telegram he had sent to Elijah Muhammad on March 11, 1964. In this telegram he indicated that he had not left the NOI of his own free will, but had been pressured out by a conspiracy between Captain Joseph (Gravitt) in New York and national NOI officials at the Chicago Headquarters of the NOI.
Malcolm X continued his press conference by reading a prepared statement.
Malcolm X Page 22
