As the first non-Muslim, and American Jew, to head one of CAIR’s 33 chapters across the country, my hiring was, of course, an experiment. Yet, as I came to know many of you, and as you came to know me, I was quickly welcomed with open arms by the diverse Muslim communities all across the Greater Delaware Valley region. I now turn to you in a moment of need, in a time of turmoil, to ask for your help in supporting the wonderful organization that I am privileged to lead, and which means so much to the Muslim communities of my new city. Day in and day, month in and out, CAIR provides invaluable services to thousands of Muslims and others all across the region...
On or about Tuesday, June 4*, the Muslim community in America will celebrate the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan with communal prayers and festivities around the country. The prayers mark the beginning of the Eid ul-Fitr or “feast of fast breaking” holiday, in which Muslims exchange social visits and seek to strengthen family and community bonds...
As we are experiencing the last days of Ramadan, we at CAIR-Philadelphia wanted to provide you with an accommodation letter you may send to your school to request accommodation for your children. Please feel free to reach out to us with any concerns regarding this matter.
Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, CAIR- Philadelphia's Education and Outreach Director conducted dozens of diversity trainings on Islam, Muslims and religious accommodations, including for the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunities Commission), the Federal Executive Board, and the Please Touch Museum. He worked with Muslim youth in empowerment programs such as MYLP and Muslim Civic Activism Fellowship projects.
Timothy N. Welbeck, Esq., CAIR- Philadelphia's Civil Rights Attorney, responded to more than 150 incidents of hate speech, workplace harassment, and bullying of school-age Muslim children in 2018. He is on pace to field the same amount, if not more, prospective clients in 2019.
There are only 7 days left in Ramadan – still time to make a zakah-eligible, tax-exempt donation to CAIR-Philadelphia. Please help us secure the Muslim future.
Over 500 people showed up last Sunday night, May 19, for CAIR-Philadelphia’s 4th Annual Interfaith Iftar Dinner at Masjidullah. Co-sponsored by Masjidullah and Philadelphia Masjid, the participants included Muslims, Christians, and Jews from all over the Philadelphia region, and included imams, ministers, rabbis, and local and national elected officials.
Supported with a generous grant from SEAMAAC, CAIR-Philadelphia conducted a comprehensive Get Out the Vote Campaign in four counties (Philadelphia, Delaware, Bucks, and Montgomery), five locations (Masjid Al-Falah, Muslim Youth Center of Philadelphia, Zubaida Foundation, North Penn Mosque, and Masjid Al-Madinah/Upper Darby Islamic Center), and in five languages (we distributed a sermon that emphasized the importance of voting from an Islamic point of view in Bangla, Urdu, Hindi, Indonesian, and Burmese).
Unity and compassion was the goal of an interfaith meal held at a Philadelphia mosque on Sunday night. At 8:12 p.m. prayers were said and a day-long fast was broken. Dozens gathered for the traditional Iftar meal at Masjidullah in West Oak Lane.
