23 American Muslim Students taking in the experience of citizen advocacy
Last Modified:
Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:59:41 GMT
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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release For Interviews, Contact:
April 19, 2010 Kiran Ansari 630.544.9377
Amani Ghouleh 708.601.3713
Press conference in Springfield: 10am in Press Room on Mezzanine Floor, Capitol Building
23 American Muslim Students taking in the experience of citizen advocacy
(Springfield, IL) - 23 American Muslim high school students will be serving as Senate Pages during Illinois Muslim Action Day (IMAD) on Thursday, April 22, 2010. More than 1,200 Muslims are going to Springfield to advocate for issues for the common good. The young Senate Pages will have the privilege to see the legislative process from the legislator's perspective. This experience will inspire young Muslims to be involved in government and public service in a way that paves an unprecedented path in the future of Muslim-American Civic engagement.
“The youth in the community are especially energized to tour the Capitol Building and 23 Muslim students will serve as Senate Pages," said Kiran Ansari, Interim Executive Director of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC). "Our Youth Department has reviewed application essays and the excitement is contagious."
Siddiq Ather, Senate Page for IMAD 2009 and a 12th grader at the Islamic Foundation School in Villa Park said, "It was a very enlightening experience, ...was a day when the Muslim community seized and acted upon its democratic responsibility of letting its voice be heard; ...this event, this action is more powerful than any word is a symbol of progress and growth."
"I was privileged enough to be an Honorary Senate Page for the great and humble Senator Dave Koehler last year," said Dana Jabri from Universal School in Bridgeview. "I was able take part in a Senate Session. The Senators are great people who really do care and take interest in what is best for our state."
The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, have assembled for the second Muslim ACTION! Day to advocate for issues for the common good. More than 1,200 Muslims from all over Illinois, both youth and adults, will meet with Governor Pat Quinn and legislators in the state capital, and advocate for the issues that affect Illinois residents.
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