CAIR-Philadelphia

"The truth is that every single woman I know that covers up does it on her own," said Moein Khawaja, executive director of the Philadelphia's Council on American Islamic Relations, who is married. His wife dresses modestly and covers her head, but she doesn't wear a niqab. "It's their way of saying, 'Forget what everyone wants me to do.' It's empowering for them to have control over their own style of dress."

“The American Muslim community has been through many challenges over the last couple of years and has persevered,” said Osama Al-Qasem, president of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Philadelphia Chapter. “It is crucial that we do not waver but remain confident, empowered and resolute in continuing the push for a more just, equitable and tolerant America.” The Council on American-Islamic Relations Philadelphia Chapter (CAIR) held its fifth annual banquet last Saturday at the Springfield Country Club. The theme was “Advancing with Confidence.”

Greater Pittsburgh has about 10 mosques, including ones in Oakland, Monroeville and Ambridge. Each of these mosques came into being as a Friday prayer group, then developed into a Sunday school for children and then into a community center, where families gather to celebrate festivals and mourn when calamities befall them.