CHICAGO—The Elite 50 Plus squad announced the recipients of their 2025 scholarship awards July 10 during the 36th graduating class of Muhammad University of Islam in Chicago.
Normally, the $1,000 award goes to one student, but the applications this year were so impressive, the group gave each applicant a $1,000 scholarship. Awardees were Bro. Zion 2X Cannon, attending Chicago Maritime school, majoring in Nautical Science; Bro. Faheem Muhammad, University of Illinois Chicago, majoring in Mechanical Engineering;
Bro. Abu Hamza Muhammad, attending Loyola University, majoring in Law and Bro. Keyaan Muhammad, attending Loyola University, majoring in Environmental Engineering.
“We have established a firm foundation now and, hopefully, the work we are doing will result in more people participating and helping to fund the scholarship,” said Elite 50 Plus squad member Bro. Barney Muhammad.
“We hope to engage the M.U.I. alumni and get them involved in rallying support. Our goal is to make Muhammad University of Islam a tuition-free institution,” he said.
This was the fourth year the Elite 50 Plus has given scholarships. The initiative began from a recommendation from the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
On Dec. 7, 2018, during the janazah (funeral) service for Elite 50 Plus Lieutenant Khalil Muhammad, squad members announced they would hold an annual recognition event in his honor. Upon hearing this, Minister Farrakhan suggested giving an annual scholarship recognizing the contributions of Lt. Khalil.
“We didn’t take that as a recommendation. We took that as an order,” said Elite 50 Plus squad member Bro. Ronald 7 Muhammad.
In fact, Minister Farrakhan made the first contribution to the scholarship fund and Elite 50 Plus squad member Bro. Abdul Akbar “Kurt” Muhammad matched the generous donation.
Scholarships are awarded to male students based on a student’s personal activities and a brief essay describing their characteristics and work ethic that best reflect those of Bro. Khalil, who became a registered member of the N.O.I. in 1965.
At 90 years of age, the former lieutenant died while still one of the top salesmen in the Nation of Islam, distributing N.O.I. products such as the famous bean pie and bottled water. He remains the top Final Call newspaper salesperson in the Chicago area, once selling as many as 2,300 papers a week. His professional training was as a welder.
In 1991, Minister Farrakhan appointed Bro. Khalil to lead The Elite 50 Plus squad, which consists of the male members of the Nation of Islam who have reached the age of 50 years and over. Minister Farrakhan said of Bro. Lt. Khalil: “He gave us a glimpse of what God looks like; To walk with him was like taking a walk with God.”
“Brother Khalil set a great example for all of us,” said Elite 50 Plus squad member Bro. Kevin 12 Muhammad “I’m sure that’s why the Minister appointed him to lead his squad.”
For more information about the Lt. Khalil Muhammad Memorial Scholarship, please email [email protected].
—James G. Muhammad
Contributing Editor