CHICAGO–The Coalition for the Remembrance of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad (CROE) celebrated its 35th anniversary with the return of Founders’ Day at the group’s facility on 2435 W. 71st Street on March 6.
Founders’ Day usually consists of a gathering of supporters and friends of CROE from various walks of life and a celebratory dinner. Last year, however, the special day was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It’s really good to have the fellowship and engagement again,” said CROE member Jalil Muhammad. “And within our circle, we’ve met with one another. We’ve stayed connected but to bring the elected officials, the community leaders back together I think is energizing and they’re strengthened just by our showcasing and that interaction. So, we’re very pleased with this and it helps us to strengthen them to get information out to our people and serve them properly.”
Co-founder Halif Muhammad told The Final Call that the pandemic never stopped CROE from preserving the work of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
“The clock is still running,” he said. “It represents the establishing of the organization by the three of us, Brother Munir Muhammad, my brother (now deceased); Shahid Muslim; and myself, Halif Muhammad. And 36 years ago, we decided to have an organization about the Messenger, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, and that’s what we celebrate, our union of following that example that he set for us.”
After years of working cheerfully as the Hon. Elijah Muhammad teaches his followers, CROE was able to launch CROE Media which includes CROE TV and CROE Radio. Both outlets stream seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Co-founder Munir Muhammad passed away a year before the pandemic, but his brother Halif Muhammad and helper Shahid Muslim carried on the mission with the help of supporters.
Munir Muhammad’s wife Aminah Muhammad said she was pleasantly surprised to see Founders’ Day a success.
“I would say now, CROE’s atmosphere was as it was in the beginning when it started. We want to make sure that we connect with everyone and that we have friendship in all walks of life,” she said.
Munir Muhammad’s daughter, Dr. Aginah Muhammad, said, “I think that bringing Founders’ Day back was a great decision on our part especially because this is the one event that my father, the late Munir Muhammad, was always able to pull everyone together from different paths.”
Actor Harry Lennix, known for a variety of film and television roles including, “The Five Heartbeats,” “Man of Steel,” “Blacklist,” and many more was very proud to be a part of Founders’ Day and is a consistent supporter of CROE.
“I’m so glad to, after one year of not being able to do this, that we can be back and to see such a strong, robust coming out for a lot of the people who have been here before, since the beginning, and of course, those who are just new,” he said. “I think it’s just a testimony to the legacy that Brother Munir laid down that he was always making connections.”
Mr. Lennix was very happy to see support for CROE from city officials, community activists and those of different faiths.
“I just met a couple of teachers, a couple of young brothers who are teachers in the Chicago Public School system. It’s magnificent to see that; a student of mine is now running for state senate.” To learn more about CROE, visit croe.org
