The Final Call

31st Annual Founders' Day at C.R.O.E

By Tariqah Shakir-Muhammad -The Final Call- | Last updated: Mar 20, 2018 - 12:02:16 PM

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Halif Muhammad, co-founder of C.R.O.E. (right) with Prince Asiel Ben Israel (middle) and Mr. Ben Israel’s son (left.) Right photo: Munir Muhammad, co-founder of C.R.O.E. (right) with Rev. Al Sampson (middle) and Criminal Court Judge Daniel Locallo.

Munir Muhammad, of C.R.O.E. with members of his family at recent Founder’s Day celebration. (R) Munir Muhammad with the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan who shared a few words.

CHICAGO—The Coalition for the Remembrance of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad celebrated its 31st annual Founders’ Day March 4 at the group’s facility on 2435 W. 71st Street. Co-founders Munir and Halif Muhammad, Shahid Muslim and supporters from various backgrounds gathered to celebrate the evening.

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan also made a special appearance to thank guests and the co-founders. “I thank God for him [Munir Muhammad] and all of you who support him because he started alone and he started at a time when the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam were taking a totally different direction,” he stated.

C.R.O.E. is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and legacy of Elijah Muhammad and also is an archive for the history of the Nation of Islam.

“So he wanted his teacher, his leader, his guide, his friend—really a Saviour—not to have his name dropped in the mud. And so he started a committee of remembrance of Elijah and though he was almost by himself, with the help of his brother and a few faithful brothers, he did all of this.”

Attendees included John E. Davis, news anchorman at WBBM-TV (CBS-2 Chicago); many judges such as State Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke and Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown; actress Cynda Williams and actors G. Smokey and Ernest Harden Jr. Reverend Al Sampson of Fernwood United Methodist Church presented Munir Muhammad with a Bible. Candidates running for upcoming political offices also attended.

“I am very humble to be here. Coming from California we’re being welcomed like family. The first comment I made when I walked into the building was how warm it was,” stated Mr. Campbell who played the Honorable Elijah Muhammad in the 2009 movie “The Nation.” Mr. Harden Jr. who played Thomas Bradley in the film, also spoke about how honored he was to be a part of Founders’ Day.

The headquarters of C.R.O.E. was filled to capacity in celebration of the group’s 31st Founder’s Day. Photos: Haroon Rajaee

Guests dined on delicious cuisine. (R) Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown was among guests.

During the celebration dinner, Munir Muhammad expressed how grateful he was for the successful evening. “Every year, people show us their support but I think especially to me because I got a call from the Minister who told me how important C.R.O.E is,” he told The Final Call.

“For him [Minister Farrakhan] to come to be with me was more moving than anything, and then I had people come in from other parts of the country, other parts of the world but of course, whenever he comes, I give weight to that because that’s how much I love him and what he does. … He wants you to know the value of the archive of the history,” he continued.

John E. Davis compared Munir Muhammad’s efforts to an “elaborate adornment on a table for Blacks to gather around and celebrate being with one another.”

“I think tonight is a great celebration, it always has been,” Mr. Davis stated. “It is a great celebration of bringing Black people, some of great influence and importance and ordinary and down-to-earth folks together with them in a show of solidarity.”

Daughter of Munir Muhammad, Aminah Muhammad and his granddaughters also spoke about their appreciation for C.R.O.E and the Minister’s arrival.

“I thought that today’s event was certainly a wonderful sight to see with so many people standing room only to come here and celebrate the anniversary for Coalition for the Remembrance for the Honorable Elijah Muhammad,” Aginah M. Muhammad told The Final Call. She is also a doctor and director for the Council on Teacher Education at the University of Chicago.

“I thought it was especially wonderful for the Minister to come out and grace us with his presence especially since people didn’t know he was going to be here so it’s always wonderful to see Brother Minister Farrakhan,” she continued.

Khalis Muhammad, Munir Muhammad’s granddaughter, said she learned something new from the many people coming together. “I thought it was really fun and it was a learning experience.” she said.

For more information on C.R.O.E, visit www.croe.org or call (773) 925-1600.