Each year since 2009, CIOGC has created an opportunity for the Muslim community to engage with Illinois Legislators in a meaningful way through the Illinois Muslim Action Day (IMAD). Last year, among other accomplishments, the Take-on-Hate Resolution was successfully passed by the State Senate, April 19th was proclaimed Illinois Muslim Action Day henceforth, and the Muslim American Advisory Council (MAAC) Bill was also successfully passed by the State Senate and is close to passing the House. More importantly, several youth civic leaders actively participated as Senate Pages.
We envision this year’s IMAD as a much broader scope that allows for our allies to join us for this day, with our leadership. With new political conditions, there is tremendous opportunity for strategic coalition building but also allowing many in the liberal and other faith communities to amplify our voices/demands. The 2017 IMAD should allow for those voices but it should all be done with our leadership and our leaders. If you are a CIOGC member organization and would like to participate in IMAD 2017, please contact Farah at farah@ciogc.org or call 312-506-0070.