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PRESS RELEASE
Chicago - Thursday, November 11, 2004

CHICAGO MUSLIMS OFFER CONDOLENCES OVER PASSING OF PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT

Contact: Kareem Irfan, Esq. [Chairman of the CIOGC, 847-867-4304]

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), an umbrella organization representing over 400,000 Muslims throughout Chicagoland, expresses its sadness over the passing of the President of the Palestine Authority, Mr. Yasser Arafat. For over 40 years President Arafat led a monumental struggle for peace and freedom for the Palestinian people. His efforts were recognized in 1994 when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on bringing a just resolution to the struggle of the Palestinian people for the sovereign nation they have long strived for.

Kareem Irfan, Chairman of the CIOGC stated, "Muslims throughout Chicagoland have Mr. Arafat and his family in their thoughts and prayers. Our sympathies and condolences also go out to the Palestinian people for their painful loss of a globally recognized leader who stood resolutely as a symbol of hope in their struggle for a free Palestinian state. We also pray and hope that the ideals of Nationhood, democracy, self-determination, homeland rights, justice and peace that are critically integral to the Mid-East peace process remain in the forefront of the Palestinian-Israeli relationship and also be backed firmly and objectively by the US and the world in order that people of all faiths, including Christians, Muslims and Jews, in the Middle East may live in lasting peace and harmony."

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