Halif means “ally”. Even before he took the name, Halif, he functioned as an ally to his brothers as a young boy growing up in the south. With brothers as companions, he traveled around the country and in every segment of his community. Each interaction became a lesson of the “do’s and don’ts” as he managed to stay above board. He believed he had achieved a level of success that many Blacks had not achieved.
In the streets, there was much propaganda about The Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Nevertheless, an article by Charles 67X in the “Muhammad Speaks” newspaper would clarify for him who The Honorable Elijah Muhammad was and his offer of money, good homes, and friendship in all walks of life to his followers. Still skeptical, he would visit the Mosque at the request of his brother, Munir. He too would be overwhelmed by what he saw. Using his life experiences as a yardstick, he did not come across something that he could not measure, nor could he measure up to. Halif is quoted as saying, “I knew nothing. The teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, civilized me.” Halif shared the pain and suffering of the followers after the departure of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad. He struggled to find balance as he faced the world without his leader and teacher. Again, Munir urged him to unite in establishing an organization in remembrance of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Halif would initially resist because he felt someone else was representing the Messenger. But his allied spirit and personality would unite him with his brothers to form C.R.O.E. Today, Halif recognizes his decision to participate in establishing C.R.O.E. was correct. He acknowledges the need to educate our people about The Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Thus, he developed a correspondence network around the country and to numerous parts of the world. His ability to deal with people from every lifestyle especially the downtrodden is where he finds much comfort because he understands them. He loves to take the message of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad to them. The membership of C.R.O.E. values Halif’s keen ability to dissect facts, which sometime cut into the bone. More importantly, his talent has played a vital role in assisting cross-sections of people to understand the teachings of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad. As he looks back over the past nineteen years, Halif says that he is “…most grateful and most proud that the goal and the methodology of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s teachings have not changed. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s words are kept in tact and we don’t need any interpretation. The Messenger said what he meant and meant what he said.”
As-Salaam Alaikum
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, who came in the person of Master Fard Muhammad, to whom all praises are due forever. The Great God who was to come and indeed has come, seeking to find those who were lost, the so-called American Negro; and taking one from among those who were considered dead and raising him up; and that one is none other than the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah. I greet you in the Nation’s greetings of peace and paradise of As-Salaam Alaikum. The Holy Qur’an 8:63 states, “And He has united their hearts. If thou hadst spent all that is in the earth, thou couldst not have united their hearts, but Allah united them. Surely He is Mighty, Wise.” Unity within the Black community is undeniably one of our major challenges that have confronted us since we were brought to the shores of North America. All praises are due to Allah who appeared in the person of Master Fard Muhammad for raising up the Last Messenger, The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, for not only teaching us the true meaning of unity, but also being the living example of unity (of mind, body, and soul) that transformed his followers from a downtrodden state to one of self-respect, confidence, and steady progress. That unity was and is built on truth. I wish to thank the co-founders, Shahid Muslim and Halif Muhammad for recognizing the truth of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad which was the foundation that united us over nineteen years ago. I thank our members, sympathizers, and friends who have come to recognize the importance of unity that not only will elevate the Black community, but also “make us a better people for tomorrow.”<p>
Shahid means#ShahidMuslim “witness bearer”. A former Black Nationalist, he always admired the Muslims. He attended a meeting at the Mosque and joined the Nation of Islam in 1968. Shahid states that he joined the nation, because “the meek shall inherit the earth and I thought that Muslims were the meek. The Muslims always had a glow and I wanted what they had.” The teachings of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad reformed his life and he committed himself totally to the Nation. Shahid’s sincere desire to serve, working long hours, and ready to move at a moment’s notice earned him a promotion to First Lieutenant. He is the only co-founder to meet The Honorable Elijah Muhammad; a moment he will never forget. In recounting the feeling he had after meeting with the Messenger during a job interview, “I had a certain kind of fear…not fear in the normal sense, but fear of knowing whose presence I was in…”
He witnessed the fall of the Nation of Islam after the Messenger’s departure and found himself without direction. He listened to the misinformation and vilification of the Messenger and as one who had a significant role, felt powerless to respond. When Munir approached him about establishing C.R.O.E. it made perfect sense. C.R.O.E. allowed him to share his knowledge and experience with those who never met the Messenger nor heard the teachings. Ask Shahid a question about the Nation of Islam under the Messenger and it will spark a passionate and loving monologue of a time gone by. Shahid can take you from the present and place you in the past from his sheer ability to describe a period so important to himself and our people. He bears witness with even the minor detail. He works closely with the development of the men of C.R.O.E. and has provided training to other individuals outside the organization.
Shahid brings to the team and the organization much more than his witness bearing. His warm personality and beautiful smile gives the team the balance and serenity needed to address the various issues they face daily. His calming and balanced personality, even when he is chastising you, will bring a smile to your face.
Today, Shahid consistently shares with the members and visitors of C.R.O.E. that following the blue print of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad has enriched his life. In addition, it has been the most important piece contributing to the success of the organization. Shahid states that “serving as the Co-Founder and Director of C.R.O.E. was the best decision he made in reconnecting him to his leader and teacher, The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.”