CAIR Pittsburgh participated in the Public Action Meeting organized by PIIN (Pennsylvania Impact Interfaith Network) on October 18 from 6:30 PM at Temple Rodef Shalom, Shadyside. CAIR congratulates the Pittsburgh muslim community delegation who came out with more than 100-people strength largely organized by the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh (ICP). Imam Atef Mahgoub from the ICP opened the meeting with the prayer. An excellent organization by PIIN has produced a super productive meeting with more than 1000 enthusiastic attendance flooded the sanctuary of the Rodef Shalom temple. The meeting has resulted commitments by public officers and politicians to work with PIIN in the upcoming year in the critical areas such as public transportation, education, and water treatment. CAIR Pittsburgh would like to thank the muslim community from many different congregations for demonstrating the positive participation in this critical process of Pittsburgh regional development. Particularly, CAIR also want to thank both imams from ICP; imam AbduSemih and Atef Mahgoub and the ICP Board and EC members who have worked hard in bringing the community to this event.
Politicians attended the meeting
Mike Doyle, US House of Reps, Dist. 14
Matt Smith, PA House of Reps, Dist. 47
Michael Martin Schmotzer, PA House of Reps, Dist. 22
Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive
Bill Peduto, Pgh. City Council, Dist 8
Bruce Kraus, Pgh. City Council, Dist 3
Corey O’Connor, Pgh. City Council, Dist 5
Bob Casey, US Senate, (Representative only)
Mike Critz, US House of Reps, Dist. (Rep only)
Matt Drozd (maybe), Allegheny County Council, Dist. 1
Issues to address:
Transit
The hard work of PIIN and our partners helped avert the proposed 35% cuts in transit service in September but if the problem of insufficient transit funding is not resolved, the system will again be at risk. PIIN and our partners are coming together to kick-off a multi-year campaign to get sufficient dedicated local and state funding for public transit. We are better together!
Education
PIIN is seeking a commitment from Dr. Linda Lane, Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent, and Nina Esposito-Visgitis, President of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, to continue to work with PIIN and our partners to achieve equity for all of our students, which can only be achieved with a partnership of parents, community, administration and teachers.
Jobs and the Clean Rivers Campaign
ALCOSAN has proposed and plans to implement a multi-billion dollar fix to the sewer system. PIIN, as part of the Clean Rivers Coalition, wants this, the largest infrastructure investment in Allegheny County’s history, to do the maximum good in the community. We are pushing for good jobs, for green methods to help solve the storm water problem, and provide benefits to our communities and for strategies to reduce flooding.
Voter ID and Turnout
We will ask all present to not only commit to vote but to consider working the polls on November 6th, work to get people in our congregations and communities to the polls, and make sure that people have an acceptable form of ID so they can vote. Civic participation is a cherished value of each of the faith traditions represented in PIIN and we will put it into action by encouraging and protecting the vote this November.
