Recently Mr. Munir Muhammad was appointed to the Board of Cook County Jail. A well deserved position. Mr. Muhammad has a track record that speaks for itself. Through the life giving teachings of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad, Mr. Muhammad not only helps to reform ex-convicts he also helps to free “prisoners of the mind.”
I was a little skeptical and afraid before I entered the doors of C.R.O.E. (Coalition for the Remembrance Of Elijah) back in February 2000. The person that extended the invitation let me know off the bat that C.R.O.E. is an Information Center and a non-for-profit organization. He also advised me to listen to W.V.O.N. A.M. 1450 and watch “Muhammad and Friends” Sunday on channel 19.
I watched “Muhammad and Friends” and was impressed with Mr. Munir Muhammad’s mannerism. He had a way of making his guest feel comfortable while interviewing them. Before he went to break he said, “Brother’s and sister’s don’t touch that dial.” During the break, pictures appeared: the Salaam Bakery, Muhammad University of Islam, Your Supermarket, banks and the Mosque. The pictures were fascinating. With the exception of the Mosque, I never knew that the other buildings existed once upon a time.
Midnight came and I listen to W.V.O.N. C.R.O.E. was promoting a Domestic Violence Seminar and encouraged people to come out and participate. A woman by the name of Lillie was released from the Cook County Jail. Lillie was giving her verbal appreciation to C.R.O.E. for working with the sisters in the Women’s Division. As the program progressed, the public started to phone the station. One caller asked Mr. Munir Muhammad why was he in the Robert Taylor Homes? His response was C.R.O.E. is an independent organization that doesn’t need permission from people (like that caller) to come into the community and have discussions or interview people. He stated that, “Mrs. Dennis loves us.” Mrs. Mildred Dennis was the Local Advisory Council (L.A.C.) President of The Robert Taylor Homes. C.R.O.E’s production team did some filming on the importance of the U.S. Census in the development and interviewed some residents. At this time I was residing in the Robert Taylor Homes and was employed by the Chicago Housing Authority (C.H.A.). The Census Bureau used our office space as a testing site.
I went to C.R.O.E. the following Sunday and was in “aw” by the way this organization handle their business. The work was outstanding and they moved beyond the rhetoric. I saw action with immediate results. I return the next Sunday and got a membership. I wanted to be apart of this organization. I quickly got involved and participated in the Domestic Violence Seminar called,” If the walls could talk.” Mr. Muhammad didn’t know me from Adam or Zechariahs but he invited me to be a guest on one of the television shows and W.V.O.N., giving me an opportunity to share my experience.
I spent 28 years living in the Robert Taylor Homes. As a child I loved where I lived before the harsh reality of poverty sat in. C.H.A. started out as temporary low-income housing and became a haven for drugs, gangs and murder. A vicious circle of life and if you made it through with your health and halfway sane, you are considered blessed. The public school system emphasizes on completing your education and getting a good job. This was their measurement of success. The irony of this cliché is the obstacles you had to overcome and hurdles you had to jump across in the face of danger. In reality most of us became young parents before we completed high school. You were considered smart if you worked the public aid system and not let it work you. Either finished your education and become employable while renting an apartment from CHA or get a nickel and penny gig working in one of the Korean or Arab stores. Frustration led to instant gratification and the majority opted out for hustling. The only way to “come up” and make lots of money was off the demise of your people. Without the proper guidance and working with limited resources I played the hand I was dealt. Living in an unhealthy environment I chosed to be in negative relationships. My risky lifestyle lead me to a deep well of depression that I thought I would never climb out of. Not only was I held hostage as a tenant in the community; my thoughts kept me a mental prisoner. I didn’t know how to cope with situations I’ve often got myself into.
February will be my fifth year as a member of C.R.O.E. The Messenger said, “It is actual thought that changes you.” We can’t choose our circumstances, but we can choose our thoughts and indirectly shape our circumstances. By changing my thoughts I learned to love myself first. I submitted to the will of Allah and learned to purify myself by praying and fasting. I stop putting poisonous food and intoxicating drinks in my body. I stop spending money unnecessarily and pay myself first. I can build a nest egg for retirement. Become a homeowner and leave something in place for my children. The Hon. Elijah Muhammad taught me how to re-orient my thinking. Literately freeing me from a mental prison.
Holy Qur’an, 32:17 So no soul knows what refreshment of the eyes is hidden for them; a reward for what they did. Footnote 1961 – “Allah says, I have prepared for my righteous servants that which no eye has seen and no ear has heard, and which the heart of man cannot conceive…”
“Do you remember this man?” This was the question Mr. Munir Muhammad wanted to ask the public by advertising it on a billboard. The Coalition for the Remembrance Of Elijah (C.R.O.E.) humble beginnings started inside the home of Mr. and Mrs. Munir Muhammad. This was 18 years ago. What started out as a thought came into fruition as the archives for the Nation Of Islam (N.O.I), the record keeper of community news and events. The founders of C.R.O.E.: Mr. Munir Muhammad, Business Manager; Mr. Halif Muhammad, Secretary and Mr. Shahid Muslim, Director. Living examples of successful men. They are successful because they defend the Hon. Elijah Muhammad and point us to him as the greatest example of success. He has all of the answers to our questions and solutions to our problems. “Oh come let us adore him,” the Messenger of Allah.