215474_01-64.qxd:IH
6/11/10
12:35 PM
Page 38
COVER STORY not love those who waste” (7:31) and “Now, behold. Your Lord said to the angels: ‘I am placing upon Earth a human successor to steward it’” (2:30). Consequently, Chicago mosques have switched to LED lights and spread awareness of shrinking ecologic footprints through khutbahs and electronic and print media. Imam Jamal Said (the Mosque Foundation), said: “The Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) taught us to be environmentally conscious and to protect this Earth, and that is apparent in many of his traditions. He told us to never waste water even if you have a river flowing at your door. We will be mindful of his teachings as we wash for prayers with this water warmed naturally by the sun.”
Three Invitations Every Weekend This is the story every community activist talks about in Chicago. Especially in the spring and fall, there are multiple fundraising dinners, conventions, lectures, and interfaith events every weekend. Many a time patrons go from one event to another, as they support both causes. Other times they attend one event
38 ISLAMIC HORIZONS JULY/AUGUST 2010
CIOGC chair Dr. Zaher Sahloul leads fellow Muslims in meeting with state Sen. Christine Radogno during the Second Annual Muslim Action Day
and send a check to another. Add social gatherings and parties to the mix, and you have one very active calendar for Chicago Muslims. Pick up a copy of the popular “Chicago Crescent” or read it online at www.chicagocrescent.com to get a glimpse of teenagers hosting skating parties to raise funds for Haiti, a local mosque seeking support to expand, and out-of-town organizations hosting events to tap into
Chicago’s generous pockets. The Council provides the “Chicago Crescent” as a free community service to more than 100 mosques, Islamic schools, ethnic stores, and other venues. On top of that, several libraries, state representative offices, churches, and law enforcement agencies also receive a copy each month.
_______________________________ Kiran Ansari is interim executive director of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago and editor of its “Chicago Crescent” newspaper.