Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X, one of the symbolic figures who fought against racism in the USA, visited Yunus Emre Institute.

At the meeting held on September 13, 2023 in the historical building of the institute in Ulus, Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş gave information about the wide range of projects and activities carried out by the Institute around the world.

Following the meeting where possible collaborations between Yunus Emre Institute and Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Center were evaluated, Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz was presented with “Yunus Emre Selection”, which was prepared by transferring the poems of Yunus Emre's two important works, “Risâletü'n-Nushiyye” and “Divan”, to the present day, by the Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş,

In her statement to the press, Shabazz underlined that they wanted to cooperate with Yunus Emre Institute in the future and said that this cooperation was one of the reasons for visiting Ankara.

Stating that she follows the activities carried out by Yunus Emre Institute in the USA with interest, “It is a great thing that children in the USA get to know Turkish culture closely. We would love to come together at Yunus Emre Institute and Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Center,” Shabazz said.

 “If we want racism to end, we must tell the true stories of history”

“If we want racism to end, we must tell the true stories of history. If we want Islamophobia to end, we must explain the beauty of Islam and the peace that Islam brings” Shabazz said.

Regarding that Malcolm X is appreciated worldwide and in Türkiye, “Malcolm's talk about the unity of God, the uniqueness of human beings and the importance of embracing brotherhood made him unique. I am so happy that his legacy lives on. I think those in darkness always come to light,” Ilyasah Shabazz said.

Making assessments regarding the transformation Audubon Ballroom Conference Hall in Manhattan, where her father Malcolm was assassinated, into the “The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center”, Shabazz used the following expressions:

“Before my mother passed away, she transformed this place, which once represented tragedy, into a place of 'victory' by organizing cultural and educational programs with the participation of many people from around the world to inspire the next generation.”

Shabazz, stated that the doors of the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center are open to everyone and that they can come together to fight racism here.

He Visited the Street Named After Her Father

As part of her visit to Ankara, Ilyasah Shabazz visited the street called "Malcolm X", located in Çukurambar district, near the US Embassy in Ankara.

Stating that he came to Ankara for the first time, Shabazz made the following assessment: “I am in front of the sign named 'Malcolm X Street'. I feel very honored.” 

Stating that he was very happy to see that a street in Ankara was named after her father, “I was truly honored and happy that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan named this street after my father,” Shabazz said.