CIOGC Presidents

Dr. Mohammed Kaiseruddin, co-founder of CIOGC

Talal Sumbli, MD

Irfan Kareem

Abdul Malik Mujahid, co-founder of CIOGC

Zahir Sahloul, MD

Bassam Osman, MD, co-founder of CIOGC

on a regular basis and make decisions that are critical for the community.” One of their past decisions was to work with a coalition known as United for Power. After joining forces, they influenced Illinois to cover the healthcare of all children under the age of 18. These are just some of the milestone achievements that CIOGC has accomplished on a civic and legislative level.

Members of CIOGC’s interfaith program work closely with leaders and representatives fund of $1.4 million to financially assist refugee families. In addition, CIOGC worked with city officials to help create jobs and employ them in the community. The organization’s quick action and decision to step up led to people being more alert and aware, as well as to obey the experts’ protective measures.

CIOGC’s Task Force also works with relief organizations, medical professional associations and social service groups to

OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS, CIOGC HAS GROWN BIGGER, AND MORE MOSQUES AND ORGANIZATIONS HAVE PARTNERED WITH IT. CIOGC STARTED AS A SMALL ORGANIZATION WORKING TO AID, CONNECT AND UNIFY THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY.

of other religions. Building open communicative relationships with them is essential to resolving pressing issues. Over the years, CIOGC has built relationships with the members of the Archdiocese of Chicago through interfaith dialogue and community events, such as hosting iftars. Being able to work “Shoulder to Shoulder,” as Khan puts it, is crucial because it’s much more beneficial to find common ground and work together to address many social issues.

Another part of this interfaith program is sponsoring the Mustard Seed project, which aims to combat religious and cultural polarization by promoting and facilitating open discussion among different groups. The CIOGC interfaith committee promoted this project at one of its components, The Mecca Center. The event brought Christians and Muslims together for discussions and conversations about their beliefs, as well as about themselves. CIOGC and the interfaith committee hope to host more such events to strengthen relationships.

CIOGC worked with local officials and, as Khan said, “ensured compliance of the mask mandate, organized mass vaccination sites and was the first group to have all clergies vaccinated to ensure the safe reopening of mosques across Illinois.” Members also joined forces with the Illinois Department of Human Services and received an emergency aid the needy. They help with Covid-19 testing and screening and providing access to non-emergency medical care, dental care, food and financial aid. Covid-19 was a difficult time for many; however, CIOGC, with determination and planning, was able to assist those in need and emerge as an organization.

This past March, CIOGC hosted a luncheon to celebrate its 30-year anniversary. Many important people, including the governor, mayors, attorney general, senators and others, were invited to a huge event focusing on the organization’s large network. CIOGC’s interfaith partners and police officials also attended. The event both showcased the organization’s wide-reaching network of notable people and acknowledged and commemorated its work and milestones. This was a historic event, because for the first time CIOGC gained major recognition from government officials and a large amount of social media attention.

After 30 years of CIOGC serving the community, Irshad vocalized that moving forward, he hopes to continue working and communicating together, building relationships and representing, serving and aiding the Muslim communities of the Greater Chicagoland area. ih