Abdullah H. Abdur-Razzaq facts for kids

Abdullah H. Abdur-Razzaq (born December 20, 1931 – died November 21, 2014) was an African-American activist and Muslim leader. He was best known as a trusted friend and helper of Malcolm X, a very important civil rights leader.

Abdullah H. Abdur-Razzaq was born with the name James Monroe King Warden. When he was part of the Nation of Islam, he was known as James 67X. Later, after leaving that group, he used the name James Shabazz.

Early Life and Education

James Monroe King Warden was born in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a neighborhood in Manhattan called Morningside Heights. This area was not very wealthy at the time.

He went to the Bronx High School of Science and did very well. After high school, he started college at the City College of New York. He then moved to Lincoln University in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

He left college for a short time to join the Army. After serving, he went back to Lincoln University. He graduated with honors in English in 1958. Later, he earned a master's degree from Columbia University.

Working with Malcolm X

In 1958, James Warden joined the Nation of Islam. He became a member at their Mosque No. 7 in New York City. At this mosque, he worked under the guidance of Minister Malcolm X.

It was a custom for members of the Nation of Islam to change their last names. This was to show they were leaving behind names connected to slavery. So, James Warden became known as James 67X. He was the 67th person named James at that mosque.

By 1960, James 67X became a lieutenant in the Fruit of Islam. This was a security group within the Nation of Islam. He also managed the newspaper Muhammad Speaks for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. He reported directly to Malcolm X.

Later, Malcolm X decided to leave the Nation of Islam. He then started his own group called Muslim Mosque, Inc.. James, still known as James 67X, became the secretary of this new organization. He was also put in charge of the men in the group. Malcolm X then told him to take the name James Shabazz.

James Shabazz was also important in creating the Organization of Afro-American Unity. This was another group Malcolm X started. It was a non-religious group focused on human rights for African Americans. It was inspired by the Organisation of African Unity in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Malcolm X wanted to use this group to show the United States how it had violated the human rights of Black people.

Shabazz was a loyal helper to Malcolm X. He worked hard for both Muslim Mosque, Inc. and the Organization of Afro-American Unity. He stayed by Malcolm X's side and helped him until Malcolm X was sadly murdered on February 21, 1965.

Life After Malcolm X

After Malcolm X's death, Abdullah Abdur-Razzaq focused on his family. He also helped start the Al-Karim School with Ora Abdur-Razzaq. This school later became the famous Cush Campus Schools in Brooklyn.

He later moved to Guyana and worked as a farmer. In 1988, he returned to the U.S. He then earned a nursing degree. He worked as a nurse until he retired in 2004.

In his later years, Abdur-Razzaq worked as a consultant for the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. He helped organize many old photos, letters, and stories about Malcolm X. Many journalists, authors, and filmmakers asked for his expert advice.

He contributed to books like Bruce Perry's Malcolm X: The Last Speeches. He also appeared in TV interviews and films. These included Malcolm X: Make It Plain and Gil Noble's Like It Is. An interview with him is also on the DVD of the documentary Brother Minister: The Assassination of Malcolm X.

Later Life and Legacy

In April 2013, Abdullah Abdur-Razzaq went back to Lincoln University. He spoke there about his memories of working with Malcolm X.

Abdullah Abdur-Razzaq battled leukemia, a type of cancer. He was admitted to Harlem Hospital in late 2014. After several weeks, he moved to Bellevue Hospital Center. He passed away there on November 21, 2014, at 82 years old.

Mr. Abdur-Razzaq's wife, Yvonne Warden, had passed away before him. He is survived by his 11 children, many grandchildren, and a large family.