CHICAGO—The Coalition for the Remembrance of Elijah Muhammad (CROE) was founded in 1987 by Brother Munir Muhammad, Brother Halif Muhammad and Brother Shahid Muslim. Decades later, CROE. is still standing strong.
Supporters, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, gathered to celebrate the 39th Annual Founders’ Day celebration at the group’s headquarters at 2435 W. 71st Street on March 8.
CROE is an archival library and information center dedicated to preserving the name, ideas and accomplishments of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the Eternal Leader of the Nation of Islam.
Its headquarters houses a television studio and broadcasts several shows throughout the week. It also includes an extensive collection of radio broadcasts, films, Muhammad Speaks newspapers, and other memorabilia.
“I hope that today becomes a reminder of how important it is for us to tell our own stories,” Mayor Johnson said at the event. “The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad laid the groundwork and the foundation for all of us and for those who would come after us.
It’s one thing to disagree at the family table and it’s another thing when folks on the outside tell us what we should disagree on,” he said.
Sister Aminah Muhammad, wife of the late Munir Muhammad, said: “I would like to thank Allah (God) for blessing us to have these years, and I would like to thank the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam for their support.”
Brother Halif Muhammad, CROE co-founder, reminded attendees of whom the celebration was all about. “This is our 39th anniversary,” he said, “and every day, day and night, is all about the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.”
Brother Shahid Muslim, CROE co-founder, shared a bit of his own history. “I became a registered Muslim in the Nation of Islam in 1967 in Chicago,” he said. “I’m 84 years old now, and I am proud of being part of C.R.O.E.”
Prince Horahliel Ben Yehuda of the African Hebrew Israelites in Jerusalem also attended the event. “Brother Munir Muhammad was a longtime friend of the head of our community, Prince Ben Ammi, and I met Brother Munir years ago when he visited our community in Israel,” he said. “Over the years, we’ve had a complementary relationship, and I arrived a day ago from Israel, and I could not miss this celebration.”
Others shared how grateful they were to be invited to the event.
Photo: Haroon Rajaee
“I would like to express my gratitude to have been invited to such an honorable event,” Dr. Ansel T. Johnson said. “The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad is someone more of our people need to embrace. It is a blessing to see the caliber of people in attendance embracing the message of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.”
Entrepreneur Bro. Mandene T. Muhammad has been a member of CROE since age 17. He is the office manager and host of the Munir Muhammad Show. “We are celebrating 39 years of archiving the history of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, and I am honored to be a part of this operation,” he said.
Doris Lewis, community activist and longtime supporter, also attended the celebration. “I am very thankful to be here with the CROE family, and may Allah (God) continue to bless everyone involved with keeping the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s name alive since the passing of Munir Muhammad,” she said.
Wholesome food was provided, including bean pie from Imani’s Original Bean Pie. The owner, Imani Muhammad, said: “I have been a member of CROE since 1995, and my company was birthed out of the love for the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.”
A theme of gratefulness resonated with attendees.
“It is always an honor to continue to celebrate the hard work of the Coalition for the Remembrance of Elijah Muhammad,” said Sister Dr. Aginah M. Muhammad, daughter of Brother Munir.
“I cannot express enough gratitude for my beloved father, the late Munir Muhammad, for having the foresight and the wisdom and the commitment to ensuring that the name, ideas, and accomplishments of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad are remembered during the time the Messenger was written out of history.”
—Shawntell Muhammad can be contacted at [email protected]