Hundreds of people braved the cold to attend the janaza funeral at The Islamic Cultural Center for Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz’s daughter Malikah Shabazz.
It was a short service. Respectfully the attendees honored all protocols while quietly giving the assembled Shabazz family their space at the front close to their sister’s casket. Following behind the brotherhood who wheeled it to the hearse parked on 3rd Avenue at 96th Street, some folk headed to the burial at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale. There both Shabazz daughters’ parents Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz are laid to rest. Malcolm Shabazz (son of Quibilah Shabazz) is also interred close to his grandparents’ grave.
The repast was held at the Shabazz Center (once known as The Audubon Ballroom).
Malikah Shabazz, 56, was found unresponsive at her Midwood, Brooklyn home on Monday, Nov. 22 2021. She was pronounced deceased there according to the police. They determined almost immediately that it was death by “natural causes.”
Malikah Shabazz was the twin sister of Malaak Shabazz, Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz) and Dr. Betty Shabazz’s youngest daughters.
Video by Nayaba Arinde Amsterdam News Editor
Minister Arthur Muhammad of Harlem’s Muhammad Mosque No. 7 told the Amsterdam News, “I saw many different Muslims and those of other faiths assembled to make prayers and to honor the life of a wonderful soul, whose family served the Black community and humanity in general faithfully. May Allah be pleased with Sister Malikah Shabazz. From Allah we come and to Allah we return.”
Muhammad concluded, “I was honored to be able to pay respects to a fellow Muslim, and to extend condolences to the Shabazz family on behalf of the Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Farrakhan family.”
Meanwhile, shortly after her death, the Shabazz family through Ilyasah Shabazz said in a statement sent to the Amsterdam News, “In this time of deep sadness from the loss of our beloved Baby sister, Malikah Sabaan Shabazz, our family extends heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of kindness we have received from so many well-wishers from around the world. We ask for your continued prayers and warm thoughts as we grieve. Malikah will now rest in peace with our parents, El Hajj Malik Al Shabazz (Malcolm X) & Dr. Betty Shabazz. The Memorial Celebration of Life will be held in the coming weeks with our eldest sister, Ambassador Shabazz, presiding. Malikah is survived by her immediate family, her loving daughter Bettih-Bahiyah, her nephew Malik-Amjhad, and her five sisters respectively, Attallah, Qubilah-Bahiyah, Ilyasah, Gamilah-Lumumba, and her beloved twin, Malaak Sabaan. Blessings and peace be unto you. The Shabazz Family.”
Rest in power Queen Shabazz. You served your life well.