Tuesday, May 21, 2013, Malcolm Shabazz was buried near his grandparents, Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, in Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, N.Y. It was a private burial, with perhaps 50 people in attendance, immediate family and close friends. There were tears, remembrances and many references to the young man’s wit, intelligence, penchant for deep thought and philosophy, and his ever-present and voiced desire to forge a righteous path to help bring a better understanding of the major issues holding the world back. Al-Hajj Talib Abdur-Rashid, imam at Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood, conducted the burial service. He read and quoted from the Quran, interspersing tales of Malcolm’s personality, achievements and actions with axioms meant to inspire and comfort.
Shabazz’s aunts—and Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz’s daughters—Attallah, Ilyasah, Gamilah and Malaak hugged grieving mom Quibilah, who was stoic throughout the service.
Attendees included Shabazz’s aunts and cousins; his godmother, Ruth Clarke; the family lawyer, Londell McMillan; family friend Terrie Williams; and artist Jaheim.
“We are allotted a certain number of breaths,” said Abdur-Rashid. “You never know when you will take your last one.” Each and everyone should live the most meaningful life they can. Every breath counts, he said.
Shabazz was killed May 9, 2013, in a suspicious bar beating in Mexico City, which many believe was a “setup.” Two years later, David Hernandez Cruz and Manuel Alejandro Perez de Jesus were sentenced to 27 years and six months for the murder.
Photos by Nayaba Arinde and Bill Moore