Muslims in Action
Holding the Rope of Unity Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago celebrates 20 years of visionary work By Feras Abdelrahman
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Without any hesitation of what challenges were ahead, the Council worked diligently to unite Muslim organizations under one umbrella while forming long lasting relationships with interfaith partners and government officials. Along the way many community members lost sight of the purpose of the Council because unlike weekend schools, community centers, or relief organizations, it was unclear how to determine measurable success. The need for representation and unity was a foreign concept for immigrant and indigenous Muslims, much more so for immigrants who were ethnically and reli-
Some of the founders and former chairmen of CIOGC include: • Dr. Ibrahim Elgindy • Talat Othman • Dr. Abdul Rahman Amine • Dr. Bassam Osman • Dr. Mohammed Kaiseruddin • Dr. Talal Sunbulli • Syed Shanawaz Khan • The Late Mary Ali • Jabir Herbert Muhammad • Tawfik Nassar • Dr. Abdul Waheed Fakhri • Dzafer Kulenovic • Dr. Zia Hassan • Kareem Irfan • Dr. Abdul Malik Mujahid.
uslim Americans need to influence those in power: politicians, advocacy groups, and political action committees, reminded Azeem Ibrahim, a Muslim Scottish business tycoon and social activist. Delivering the keynote address at the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago Unity was no longer scoffed at as wish(CIOGC) in Chicago on Nov. 3, 2012, Ibraful thinking but a religious duty for the security of Muslims in this country. The him said that if one feels strongly about an issue, there is a likelihood that others feel the Council leadership exercised the tools that same. Herein, he added, lies the opportunity previous communities had at their disposal, to organize advocacy groups to move community, interfaith and political towards goals of creating change. coalitions, and the media. Moving forward, the Council relied on disMuslim organizations, he seminating their message of peace reminded, are underfunded and understaffed, and stressed the and other qualities akin to other need to make it an obligation to religious communities in an effort finance initiatives for the future. to show that despite our differences Ibrahim said that it was important we share common ground. to involve the youth in the commuThe Council has instilled civic nity through political activities and engagement, interfaith and intraallow them to shape debates. community partnerships, and media relations as the pillars of “It’s great to see 20 years later that their ongoing work. Ignorance this [the Council] is the new forum Safaa Zarzour presents the Visionary Leaders Award to CIOGC Chairman Dr. Zaher Sahloul. about Muslim Americans confor mobilizing the community,” said Safaa Zarzour, ISNA’s secretary general. giously homogeneous most of their lives. tinue to threaten the collective ambition of The CIOGC, founded in 1992, has held While in America Islam and Muslims were the community. In the last several months, onto the baton passed by previous com- unfamiliar terms to the majority of Ameri- Muslims were subjected to McCarthyesque munities who faced trials and tribulation. can so Muslims families fit seamlessly into hearings with Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) leading the charge. His type of rhetoric The organization was shaped after years the fabrics of society simply as foreigners. of formulating ideas; Muslim communiThe necessity for Muslim representation potentially fueled hate crimes such as the ties across the Chicagoland area decided a was met after 9/11 when Muslims in Amer- Joplin, Mo. mosque burning and the multiple Muslim federation was imperative for their ica were investigated by agencies, vilified attacks on mosques in the Chicagoland area. collective ambitions. through the media, and verbally, harassed, Through times of despair the Council never The 20th anniversary celebration hon- and physically assaulted. It was in this situ- wavered about the implications of defending ored the Council’s founders and the vision ation that the Council filled the void for the the rights of the community. they inspired others to share. Muslim community seeking protection and Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The “They [founders] sacrificed their time, guidance against the onslaught. Overnight ultimate test of a man is not where he stands their wealth and their energy,” said CIOGC the Council evolved from a visionary orga- in moments of comfort and moments of conchairman Dr. M. Zaher Sahloul. “They were nization to an organization of practicality. venience, but where he stands in moments not pursuing personal gain or to reach certain “Our message as Muslim were to be a of challenge and moments of controversy.” positions or to try to make connections that peaceful community and to change our Although detractors will always stand to would progress their career. They did not say image,” Ibrahim El-Gindy, one of the stagnate change, there is comfort in having what’s in it for me. They said what’s in it for founders, said of the Council’s message. an organization with the grit to accept injusthe community. They persevered in spite of “We aspire to the good of all—Christians, tice as an inevitable challenge to progress. the failures. They are unifiers. They protected Muslims, Jews and to all mankind. Our true us all and connected us to our faith partners.” faith is through unity and collective efforts.” Feras Abdelrahman is editor of CIOGC’s Chicago Crescent.
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Islamic Horizons January/February 2013
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