Charity Without Fear Press Conference

A press conference was held at the Thompson Center announcing the introduction of the 'Charity Without Fear' resolution to the Illinois state senate. Director of the Council's Executive Board, LaDale George, spoke on behalf of the Council emphasizing Muslims' right to donate for charitable purposes without fear, as Christian, Jewish and other communities are able to do. Illinois State Senator, Jacqueline Collins, the chief sponsor of the resolution, Joshua Hoyt, the executive director of Council partner, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Rev. Michael McConnell, the executive director of the American Friends Service Committee, Jane Ramsey, the executive director of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs and Bill Justice of the Chicago Archdiocese also spoke at the press conference.

The press conference was attended by Itedal Shalabi, the executive director of Arab American Family Services, Imam Jamal Said of the Mosque Foundation and several other community members. The Council was represented by Chairperson Abdul Malik Mujahid, LaDale George and Vice Chair Zaher Sahloul.