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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:
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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
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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
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The resolution was
placed on the Calendar Order of Secretary’s Desk Resolutions for today May 12,
2000
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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
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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
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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
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