Charity Without Fear Update
| Related Links |
Table of Contents
|
CHARITY WITHOUT FEAR The Council of Islamic Organizations has launched a campaign called Charity Without Fear. To learn of the most recent updates on this resolution read on. May 12, 2005 Assalamu alaikum, The Council congratulates you for yesterday’s extremely successful Lobby Day for the Charity Without Fear resolution. An unprecedented 70 Muslims from all over Chicago and its suburbs were the largest delegation among the 300 people from the Council’s coalition partners in the state capitol lobbying for immigrant rights, expanding access to health care and the Charity Without Fear campaign. The Council warmly thanks the following organizations that sent representatives to lobby legislators in Springfield. The Mosque Foundation, Islamic Center of Chicago, Islamic Community Center of Illinois, Muslim Community Center, Muslim Educational Center, Islamic Foundation, Islamic Center of Naperville, Mosque of Umar, Muslim Civil Rights Center, the Organization of Islamic Speakers, Sound Vision Foundation and the Arab American Family Center sent representatives who all did a brilliant job with their legislators. The Council thanks the representatives from the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs for joining our delegation on Wednesday and supporting the Charity Without Fear resolution. The AP US History class from Aqsa School did a fantastic job in the first civic experience of their young lives, and we would like to thank them and their teachers for lobbying in Springfield with the Council. The Council also thanks our coalition partners, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and United Power for Action and Justice, for their tremendous work in support of the Charity Without Fear resolution. Highlights: - Council board members Mohammed Sahloul and Saleem Shaikh met with top senate leadership and briefed them on the background of charity in Islam and the fear American Muslims have had concerning donating to Islamic charities in the post September 11 climate
- Two more senators sponsored the resolution; the total number is now 16 sponsors, representing both parties and including some of the top leadership in the Senate
- The resolution was placed on the Calendar Order of Secretary’s Desk Resolutions for today May 12, 2000
- ICIRR, JCUA and a representative of the National Catholic Church joined Dr. Sahloul in a press conference supporting the Charity Without Fear campaign, urging the Illinois senate to adopt the resolution
- The Council and the Aqsa School AP US History class were both recognized on the Senate floor by Senator Jacqueline Collins, the chief sponsor of the Charity Without Fear resolution
- Yesterday’s Lobby Day was the first time the Council mobilized its membership to lobby in Springfield and it was a huge success thanks to you
We expect that the Charity Without Fear resolution will be voted upon today, and of course we will update you as news comes from Springfield. The Council again thanks everyone for all the hard work and support on Lobby Day. Although this resolution is just the first step on a long road, it was a tremendous and fruitful effort from the Muslim community. Thank you. Ms. Muneer Aliuddin
Director of Outreach
|
