Editing Malcolm X (section)

=== Early ministry ===
{{Nation of Islam}}

After his parole in August 1952,<ref>{{harvnb|Marable|2011|p=98}}.</ref> Malcolm&nbsp;X visited Elijah Muhammad in Chicago.<ref>{{harvnb|Perry|1991|pp=142, 144–145}}.</ref> In June 1953, he was named assistant minister of the Nation's Temple Number One in Detroit.<ref>{{harvnb|Natambu|2002|p=168}}.</ref>{{efn-ua|Nation of Islam Temples were numbered according to the order in which they were established.<ref>{{harvnb|Perry|1991|pp=141–142}}.</ref> }} Later that year he established Boston's Temple Number{{nbsp}}11;<ref>{{harvnb|Perry|1991|p=147}}.</ref> in March 1954, he expanded Temple Number{{nbsp}}12 in Philadelphia;<ref>{{harvnb|Perry|1991|p=152}}.</ref> and two months later he was selected to lead [[Mosque No. 7|Temple Number{{nbsp}}7]] in Harlem,<ref>{{harvnb|Perry|1991|p=153}}.</ref> where he rapidly expanded its membership.<ref>{{harvnb|Perry|1991|pp=161–164}}.</ref>

In 1953, the FBI began surveillance of him, turning its attention from Malcolm&nbsp;X's possible communist associations to his rapid ascent in the Nation of Islam.<ref>{{harvnb|Carson|1991|p=95}}.</ref>

During 1955, Malcolm&nbsp;X continued his successful recruitment of members on behalf of the Nation of Islam. He established temples in [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]], Massachusetts (Number{{nbsp}}13); [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], Connecticut (Number{{nbsp}}14); and [[Atlanta]] (Number{{nbsp}}15). Hundreds of African Americans were joining the Nation of Islam every month.<ref>{{harvnb|Marable|2011|pp=122–123}}.</ref>

Besides his skill as a speaker, Malcolm&nbsp;X had an impressive physical presence. He stood {{convert|6|ft|3|in|m}} tall and weighed about {{convert|180|lb|kg}}.<ref name="Marable301">{{harvnb|Marable|2009|p=301}}.</ref> One writer described him as "powerfully built",<ref>{{harvnb|Lincoln|1961|p=189}}.</ref> and another as "mesmerizingly handsome{{nbsp}}... and always spotlessly well-groomed".<ref name="Marable301" />