CAIR-MI BANQUET A SUCCESS
(SOUTHFIELD, MI - 3/29/10) - Some 1,000 people yesterday attended the 10th annual banquet of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) in Dearborn, Mich.
Several government officials including Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero as well as Jewish, Catholic and Baptist clergy members were present.
Keynote speaker Rev. Jesse Jackson, founder of Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, discussed the need for coalition building among various ethnicities and religious groups to address contemporary challenges within our society such as the housing foreclosure crisis and the rise of bigotry in America seen within radical elements of the Tea Party movement. Rev. Jackson also addressed the need for repealing provisions within the USA PATRIOT Act that run counter to civil liberties.
Prior to the banquet, Rev. Jackson expressed concerns over the shooting last year in Dearborn of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah, who suffered 21 gun shot wounds during an FBI sting.
SEE video at 2:57 mark:
http://ginnnahmuhammad.ning.com/video/ginnnah-muhammad-talks-with
CAIR National Director and co-founder Nihad Awad also addressed the need for American Muslims to do more in supporting their community organizations and the importance of coalition building.
Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) was presented with the Civil Rights Defender Award for championing civil rights issues in Congress for over four decades.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-559-2247, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com