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PRESS RELEASE
Chicago - Wednesday, January 15, 2003

CHICAGOLAND MUSLIMS HONOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND JOIN IN SOLIDARITY TO PRESERVE CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL

Put text of Press Release here.

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), an umbrella organization representing over 400,000 Muslims throughout Chicagoland, proudly celebrates with the nation on January 20, 2003 the life and achievements of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Council recognizes the tremendous importance of Dr. King’s legacy of safeguarding civil and human rights in a manner that transcends race and religion, especially in the challenging times facing our nation.

During Dr. King’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech on December 10, 1964 he said, “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.” Dr. King realized that in order to gain justice you must work for peace. With his commitment and vision, truth did ultimately prevail and racial barriers were removed from people’s minds and hearts.

Conveying the Council’s stand on this important celebration, Kareem Irfan, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago said, “The birthday of Dr. King is an ideal opportunity to remember his great work and sacrifices for the noble causes of peace and justice. We must, as a nation, strengthened by a marked diversity of cultures, religion and ethnicities, resolutely dedicate ourselves to continuing Dr. King’s remarkable legacy. We must particularly combat hateful and divisive comments as well as xenophobic actions against any religion (Islam or others), and the disturbing increase of selective racial and ethnic profiling in our Government’s law enforcement initiatives. Such approaches run counter to long-standing American ideals as well as all that Dr. King stood for. Muslim-Americans look at the upcoming holiday honoring Dr. King as an ideal time to reflect and rededicate our efforts for peace and justice for all.”

Council leaders will once again be actively participating in commemorations of Dr. King and his achievements. These include the Council’s Inter-faith Committee Chair, Dr. Shakir Moiduddin, who will speak at Mayor Daley’s Annual Dr. King Unity Breakfast at the Chicago Hilton, and Community Relations Director Amina Saeed, who will speak at a major NAACP event at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago.

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