(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 4/16/18) – The leadership of the Pennsylvania Muslim community and their non-Muslim allies from the Jewish and Christian communities will participate in the Third Annual Muslim Capitol Day (MCD) at the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg.
On Tuesday, April 17, 2018, over 100 MCD participants will visit the offices of their elected state senators and representatives. During these meetings, the participants will make clear to their representatives the degree to which anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate crimes have affected Muslims’ daily lives and the lives of their children throughout Pennsylvania, especially since the onset of the Trump campaign and presidency, and demand that their representatives speak out against any hate speech directed at any group.
WHAT: 3rd Annual Muslim Capitol Day
WHEN: Tuesday, April 17, 2018, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
WHERE: Harrisburg Capitol Building
PRESS CONFERENCE AND RALLY: Capitol Rotunda Steps, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
The goals of Muslim Capitol Day are:
- To raise the awareness of elected officials about Islamophobia stemming from certain politicians and media outlets.
- To encourage and increase the participation of American Muslims in the democratic political process.
- To work together with other groups and communities in building of a more equitable society, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, or racial background.
Rabiya Khan, a member of the Advisory Board of CAIR-Philadelphia, said, “Muslim Capitol Day is an invaluable opportunity for American Muslims to make our voices heard in the halls of government and to assert that no amount of hate speech will deter our community from peacefully approaching our government for redress of grievances.”
A press conference and rally will take place on Muslim Capitol Day from 10:30 am – 11:30 am on the Capitol Rotunda steps with speakers from both government and representatives of different faith communities.
This year, Muslim Capitol Day participants will focus on supporting one bill: SB942/HB135, “PAROLE ELIGIBILTY FOR LIFE SENTENCES.”
The sponsors of the bill are State Senator Sharif Street and State Representative Jason Dawkins. We support this bill because we believe it to be in the best interests of all the people of Pennsylvania.
The sponsors of Muslim Capitol Day are the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia), Emgage Pennsylvania, and two Philadelphia mosques: Masjidullah and Philadelphia Masjid.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Outreach Director Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, Office: 267.515.6710, Mobile: 617.401.5397; CAIR-Philadelphia Advisory Board Member Rabiya Khan, 717.817.5906.
