Don Wildman

Yes, this is a big break for him.

The thing with Malcolm X's life is it all happens in such a compressed way.

When you look back on it, it seems like we're talking about a decade's worth of time here.

From complete conversion to huge national leadership to a break with that organization which he has developed so much.

And now, you know, there are only a few years left of his life.

It's amazing.

Is it a direct conflict between Elijah Muhammad and him?

Yes.

During this time, he decides to found his own version of this, right?

He breaks away completely and creates his own organization called the Muslim Mosque Incorporated.

Is that right?

That's correct.

Yeah.

This is March of 1964 when he leaves the Nation of Islam and creates this new organization, which of course would be a major threat.

You have their engine of national recruitment, this incredibly compelling man, still very young in his 30s.

representing a brand new idea in the black nationalist movement.

Of course, this is going to raise hackles, I suppose.

The next month, 1964, in April 1964, he performs a Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and he converts to Orthodox Sunni Islam.

All of these things are very, very heady ideas to many people to consider.

But this is where this man is at at this point.