Betty Shabazz's daughters thank the public for its support as mother struggles to live

The six daughters of Dr. Betty Shabazz, wearing purple ribbons in support of their mother's struggle for life, recently thanked the world for its "outpouring of support" and asked for its continued prayers.

"We have not been a family who has ever asked for anything," said Attallah Shabazz, flanked by her five sisters at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. "Our father did not... Our mother wouldn't... We are requesting your continuing prayer because she does hear it."

Attallah, in the family's first joint public appearance since Mrs. Shabazz was burned in a fire in her Yonkers, NY, apartment, said her mother was awake and able to hear at times.

"In her waking moments, we do whisper (prayers) in her ears," Attallah said. "She does respond."

Dr. Shabazz, the widow of leader Malcolm X, remained in critical condition after undergoing four operations to remove and replace burned skin tissue.

Hospital officials said 72 percent of Dr. Shabazz's burned tissue has been removed, and another operation was scheduled at JET press time.

Dr. Shabazz, 61, was burned over more than 80 percent of her body in a fire that police said was allegedly set by her 12-year-old grandson, Malcolm (JET, June 16). He was living with her and reportedly wanted to return to his mother, Qubilah Shabazz, in Texas.

At JET press time, a blood drive for Dr. Shabazz was scheduled to take place.