(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 3/7/2013) – The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Pennsylvania (CAIR-Philadelphia) will hold its 7th annual banquet, themed ‘Upholding Our Constitution, Embracing Our Faith’ on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at Springfield Country Club.
CAIR-Philadelphia’s banquet is one of the largest gatherings of American Muslims and people of all faiths in Pennsylvania. Community members come to celebrate their participation in democracy, to hear from local leaders and to celebrate the accomplishments of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization.
CAIR-Philadelphia will also award members and supporters of the American Muslim community for their outstanding service and contributions to the betterment of the Delaware Valley.
WHAT: CAIR-Philadelphia 7th Annual Banquet Fundraising Dinner
WHEN: Saturday, March 16th at 6:30pm
WHERE: Springfield Country Club, 400 W Sproul Rd, Springfield, PA 19064
CONTACT: Please email info@philadelphia.cair.com for complimentary media passes
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Zarqa Nawaz, independent filmmaker and creator of Canadian Broadcast Corporation’s (CBC) top-rated television series, Little Mosque on the Prairie, will be the keynote speaker. In 2007, Nawaz created the the sitcom and it premiered to record viewership and ultimately became CBC’s highest rated sitcom. The show airs in over sixty countries around the world and has garnered many national and international awards.
AWARDEES
Imam Muhammad Abdul-Aleem, former resident Imam of Masjidullah Philadelphia (a mosque), will be honored with CAIR-Philadelphia’s lifetime achievement award. Abdul-Aleem has been involved with on-going Islamic projects since his conversion to Islam in 1968. That year, he also began the development of the five-volume concordance to the Holy Qur’an. He currently serves as a visiting guest lecturer at mosques throughout the country. Imam Abdul-Aleem continues to present Islam and its impact on African-Americans at various universities and colleges.
Aadil Malik, founder and editor of the website, Truth From a Teen, will receive CAIR-Philadelphia’s Youth excellence award. Aadil developed the website when he was 14-years-old with the goal to promote the voice of an important demographic that is often overlooked. Through his website, spoken word poetry and position as Student Body President at his high school, Aadil has made an effort to use his societal circumstances as opportunities to prove a stark disparity to the negative narrative surrounding those of his religion and age.
Khalil bin Brown, founder of Islamic Heritage Foundation (IHF), will receive CAIR-Philadelphia’s community service award. IHF is a non-profit organization that promotes educational and leadership development for youth ages 13 to 25. The organization began as an extension of the Muslim Student Alumni Association at Community College of Philadelphia in 1992, and was incorporated a few years later.
Click here to read more about the event speakers and awardees.
