Dear Friends,
(Philadelphia PA, Oct. 12, 2018) As Jacob Bender, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director, emphasized in his recent “Director’s Desk” article “On Losing a Battle,” despite the waves of sad and angering events in our country, we are keeping our spirits up by channeling our energies to serve and empower the American Muslim community in these difficult times. (Below, Dr. Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, CAIR-Philadelphia Outreach and Education Director, leading a “You’re your Rights” workshop at the Upper Darby Mosque/Masjid Al-Madina.)
Following is just a portion of CAIR-Philadelphia’s activities in the last month alone. Our Staff, Executive Committee, and Advisory Board members have engaged elected officials, presented workshops to both Muslim and non-Muslim audiences of all ages, and developed programs for interfaith events. As always, we are grateful for your support for our programs, for it is your dollars, prayers and support that enable us to serve our communities.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
September 15: Timothy Welbeck, Esq., CAIR-Philadelphia Civil Rights Director, led special screening of the documentary 13th, followed by a discussion on criminal justice reform, hosted by Restoration Church.
September 22: Jacob addressed the “International Peace Symposium” at Elizabethtown College, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg.
September 22: CAIR-Philadelphia organized a meeting of the Greater Delaware Valley Muslim Leadership Forum.
September 22: Timothy partnered with Christian Legal Services and Restoration Church to sponsor an expungement clinic for Philadelphia residents, particularly those in Northeast Philadelphia.
September 29: CAIR-Philadelphia participated in Muslim Community Day, hosted by the North Penn Mosque in Lansdale.
October 2: Ahmet addressed the weekly “Tuesdays with Toomey” Rally in Allentown, PA on the world-wide refugee crisis.
(Below, Osama al-Qasem, CAIR-Philadelphia President, addressing a meeting of the Greater Delaware Muslim Leadership Forum.)
VOTER ENGAGEMENT
September 27: Ahmet participated in the “We Are One” Interfaith Voter Engagement and Networking Dinner in Norristown.
September 30: Ahmet and Timothy participated in the “Voter Engagement Training and Registration” with “POWER Philadelphia” hosted by Masjid Al-Madinah/Upper Darby Islamic Center.
October 6: Ahmet participated in voter registration and training with PACRI in Mechanicsburg (below).
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
September 20: Ahmet led a workshop on American Muslim History, hosted by the Islamic Community Center of Lancaster.
September 11: Ahmet led a workshop on American Muslim History, hosted by POWER Philadelphia.
September 15: Ahmet led an “Anti-Bullying” workshop hosted by Masjid Al-Falah/Indonesian Community of Greater Philadelphia.
September 18: Ahmet led an “Islam 101” workshop hosted by POWER Philadelphia.
September 20: Ahmet led an Anti-Bullying workshop hosted by ICCL Lancaster.
September 21: Ahmet led an Anti-Bullying workshop hosted by Masjid Ar-Rahman in Coatesville.
September 26: Ahmet was MC on a panel discussion of “Young Muslim Americans,” hosted by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
October 6: Timothy participated in a “Know Your Rights” seminar (below), hosted by Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia.
