Photo Courtesy of People Magazine
On November 26, Malcolm X’s daughter Ilyasah Shabazz broke the silence and shared a post on behalf of her and their family about the death of her sister, Malikah Shabazz.
Ilyasah shared a post to Facebook detailing the funeral services and wrote, “In this time of deep sadness from the loss of our beloved Baby sister, Malikah Saban Shabazz, our family extends heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of kindness we have received from so many well-wishers 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.”
Illyasah continued, “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 Saban. Blessings and peace be unto you. —The Shabazz Family.”
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As previously reported, Malikah was found dead on November 23 by her daughter, Bettih-Bahiyah Shabazz, inside their Midwood, Brooklyn home.
According to New York Daily News, New York Police Department commissioner, Dermot Shea reported that that police learned from “other authorities, the medical examiner’s office and talking to the family” that Malikah “had been ill for a period of time, and at this point, nothing appears suspicious.”
The city medical examiner said no cause of death had been determined. “We are investigating, and the cause of death is pending the final results of additional testing, but the death does not appear to be suspicious following the initial review,” that office said in a statement.
Malikah’s funeral occurred at 10 in the morning on Saturday, November 27, at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York. Malikah was also buried the same day at the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale in New York.
Malikah, and with her twin sister Malaak, were the youngest of Malcolm X’s six daughters.