Press Conference in the Capitol Building will Discuss Goals of the Muslim Community
(CHICAGO, 4/21/10) Over 1,200 Muslims from across Illinois will be assembling in Springfield tomorrow for the second annual Illinois Muslim ACTION! Day (IMAD). Muslim youth and adults will ride buses to the state capitol to meet with Governor Pat Quinn and legislators. Over 20 American Muslim high school students will also be serving as Senate Pages.
Participants will be advocating for policies that will help Illinois' families and most vulnerable residents. Illinois Muslim ACTION! Day aims to address four main issues:
1. Equitable Access to Healthy Food in the inner cities
2. Foreclosure Prevention and Counseling
3. Introduction of Arabic into the Illinois public schools
4. Preserving Immigrant Integration Services such as English and Citizenship classes
A press conference in the Capitol Building will discuss these goals in greater detail:
WHAT: Press Conference on Illinois Muslim Action! Day
WHERE: Mezzanine Press Room, Illinois Capitol Building
WHEN: Thursday, April 22nd, 2010, 10:00am
"All Politics is local. In order to affect policy we need to work locally first and build strong relationships with our legislators," said Dr. Zaher Sahloul, chair of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago - who are leading the effort. "We are encouraging Illinois Muslims to contact their legislators and ask for a meeting on April 22 to listen to our concerns. They are elected to serve all of us. They are accountable to their constituency. This is our chance to reflect the great values of unity, solidarity, advocating for good and abhorring evil."
"Being civically engaged is an important milestone the Muslim communities of Illinois have worked hard to reach" emphasized CAIR-Chicago Government Affairs Coordinator Reema Ahmad. "It is not only a need, but a responsibility for Muslim Americans to be active participants in the process of government that impacts our daily lives. Meeting with our elected officials to convey the issues we care about and exhibiting our willingness to work hard for these causes is a critical step towards greater civic involvement from current and future generations of Muslim Americans."
With its estimated over half a million Muslim residents, Illinois continues to serve as a crucial hub for mobilizing the emergent American Muslim community. Illinois Muslim ACTION! Day signifies the Muslim community's integration and increased participation in American politics. Through proactive initiatives such as this, the American Muslim community endeavors to move from the fringes of the American political narrative, to the forefront of the dialogue.
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(CHICAGO, 4/21/10) Over 1,200 Muslims from across Illinois will be assembling in Springfield tomorrow for the second annual Illinois Muslim ACTION! Day (IMAD). Muslim youth and adults will ride buses to the state capitol to meet with Governor Pat Quinn and legislators. Over 20 American Muslim high school students will also be serving as Senate Pages.
Participants will be advocating for policies that will help Illinois' families and most vulnerable residents. Illinois Muslim ACTION! Day aims to address four main issues:
1. Equitable Access to Healthy Food in the inner cities
2. Foreclosure Prevention and Counseling
3. Introduction of Arabic into the Illinois public schools
4. Preserving Immigrant Integration Services such as English and Citizenship classes
A press conference in the Capitol Building will discuss these goals in greater detail:
WHAT: Press Conference on Illinois Muslim Action! Day
WHERE: Mezzanine Press Room, Illinois Capitol Building
WHEN: Thursday, April 22nd, 2010, 10:00am
"All Politics is local. In order to affect policy we need to work locally first and build strong relationships with our legislators," said Dr. Zaher Sahloul, chair of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago - who are leading the effort. "We are encouraging Illinois Muslims to contact their legislators and ask for a meeting on April 22 to listen to our concerns. They are elected to serve all of us. They are accountable to their constituency. This is our chance to reflect the great values of unity, solidarity, advocating for good and abhorring evil."
"Being civically engaged is an important milestone the Muslim communities of Illinois have worked hard to reach" emphasized CAIR-Chicago Government Affairs Coordinator Reema Ahmad. "It is not only a need, but a responsibility for Muslim Americans to be active participants in the process of government that impacts our daily lives. Meeting with our elected officials to convey the issues we care about and exhibiting our willingness to work hard for these causes is a critical step towards greater civic involvement from current and future generations of Muslim Americans."
With its estimated over half a million Muslim residents, Illinois continues to serve as a crucial hub for mobilizing the emergent American Muslim community. Illinois Muslim ACTION! Day signifies the Muslim community's integration and increased participation in American politics. Through proactive initiatives such as this, the American Muslim community endeavors to move from the fringes of the American political narrative, to the forefront of the dialogue.
