Jump to content

Page:1965 FBI monograph on Nation of Islam.djvu/72

From Wikisource
This page has been validated.

in the September 25, 1964, issue of "Muhammad Speaks" a coupon to be clipped, signed, and mailed to the Chicago headquarters of the "3-Year Economic Plan." In fine print was the pledge:

"I am going to enclose 50¢ with this coupon, and every coupon hereafter that is printed in this Newspaper..."

Soon issues of the paper contained more than one coupon. The November 20 issue had five. Perhaps it was felt that if "every coupon" was forwarded to Chicago, Elijah's proposed bank could be started earlier than 1980.

D. Educational Center

Elijah Muhammad apparently desires to initiate programs frequently to show his earnestness in aiding the "so-called Negroes" in America. With his "3-Year Economic Plan" under way, he has renewed an earlier plan for an NOI educational center to be built in Chicago.

This earlier proposed center was announced in 1958. In the following two years, Elijah's constant appeal for contributions began with $3,500,000 and grew to $20,000, 000. Though land was purchased in Chicago, it was condemned later for city use by the Chicago Park District, and the NOI was compensated for its return. Whatever funds were collected in this two-year drive never have been publicly accounted for.

Now, Elijah has revived his drive for a new educational center. In January, 1964, the cult newspaper began the campaign with articles and drawings