Group’s banquet honors courageous Muslims
“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.
A local Libertarian commentator recently caused a stir when he asked freshman U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, R-7, of Upper Darby, if he is “with us or against us” regarding a Pennsylvania chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations annual banquet being held in Springfield March 12.
CAIR-Philadelphia along with the Interfaith Walk for Peace and Reconciliation sponsored a screening and interfaith dialogue of the documentary film, Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think last week. About 45 people of different faiths came together to have a real conversation on Islamophobia, American Muslims and the war on terror. Inside Islam debunks common stereotypes of Islam and Muslims based on hard facts. Research experts featured in the film discuss controversial issues highlighted by a world-wide Muslim public opinion poll conducted by the Gallup organization. Muslims in more than 35 Muslim majority countries and American Muslims reveal personal thoughts on terrorism, democracy and women’s rights.