94 YEARS OF MALCOLM X!
THE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO THE GRAVESITE OF MALCOLM X AND MORE!

On Saturday, May 19th, the world will come to New York to observe the 94th birth anniversary of Malcolm X!

The central activity for that historic observation will be the annual pilgrimage to his gravesite. The Malcolm X Commemoration Committee (MXCC) and the Sons of Afrika will again co-host the Organization of Afro-American Unity’s (OAAU) Annual Pilgrimage to his Gravesite!

At 9am, participants will assemble at the Harlem State Office Building located at 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard to prepare to caravan to Malcolm’s gravesite at Ferncliff Cemetery in Ardsley, NY. The bus and car caravan will leave Harlem promptly at 9:30am for the Cemetery!

Tickets for the busses going up to the Cemetery are $9 for adults and $4 for children. Families and groups wishing to ride should call in advance to make reservations at 718 512 5008 or email at mxcc519@verizon.net.

The endearing and inspirational gravesite ceremony was conceived and developed shortly after his death by the late Ella Little-Collins, Malcolm’s older sister who was with him in the OAAU. Largely unknown to most, it was Ella Little-Collins who actually kept the OAAU going for at least five years after the assassination of her legendary little brother. The organization has faithfully maintained this pilgrimage on an annual basis through the leadership of Baba James Small for nearly 50 years!

In 1993, the Malcolm X Commemoration Committee, under the leadership of the late Baba Herman Ferguson, a founding member of the OAAU and former political prisoner himself, made a commitment to grow the pilgrimage. Since then, the pilgrimage has grown exponentially, drawing participants from all along the northeast coast from Boston to Washington, DC.

Over the past three years, the Africana Institute of Essex County College in Newark, NJ and Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood, the beloved successor to Muslim Mosque Inc., each have made their added local commitments to participating in the pilgrimage. The Africana Institute sends two busloads of young people to participate. Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood has begun observing its Ziyaara Ashahadafayn, or ‘their gravesite visitation and Quranic chanting to praise Allah and appreciate the need to prepare for the next life.’

Other key activities of the day will include the closing down of stores on 125th Street and memorial observation forums at the Shabazz Center and at the Schomburg.

“We are very proud of our role in growing the pilgrimage,” said Zayid Muhammad, MXCC’s founding press officer…