Assalaam Alaikum My dear sister Ella,
I can never thank you enough for making it possible for me to make this trip, and I pray every day for Allah to grant you health so you can make it too. However I'm glad I came first so now I can give you an idea of what to expect, I have had it easy because I've been a state guest of his excellency Prince Faisal, the ruler of Arabia. I have been staying in the best hotels in Jeddah, Mecca & Mina with a car and a guide at my disposal at all times, including several other servants. I have never been treated with such honor anywhere. They have truly treated me like a King. I have made 28 circuits around the Kaaba, and may visit it one more time before leaving. I will have to wait until I see you to tell you all the other blessings of this trip. Neither time nor space will permit it now.
Please give my best love and wishes for success to the believers there. All of them should learn the correct way that Muslims pray, and should learn the prayer in Arabic. It is a must, otherwise they will always be embarrassed at prayer time. The correct prayers or the correct way of praying is the same to the Muslim that flour is to bread (an absolute essential) I will write again, first chance I get.
As Salaam Alaikum
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz
I am writing from the Holy City of Mecca.
Letters From the Malcolm X, Ella Little-Collins Family Archive