How does the author use allusion in the novel, The Washington Square Ensemble?

Shortly after his release from juvenile detention, Leon encountered Buzz, who was now a black Muslim named Ali abd AlGhaffir. Ali abd Al-Ghaffir once again recruited Leon, giving him a copy of the Quran. Shortly after, Leon's spiritual growth began to catch up with his physical growth, and he followed the pattern of Malcolm X (allusion), becoming first a militant and later an advocate of peace.