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COVER STORY member is ill may mean lost opportunities. Options are often limited by a lack of information, and a sense of urgency during a crisis makes the wait for answers even worse. We may even find there are insufficient resources to pay for preferred services,” says Dr. Khan. Since its inception, AARA has located translators and interpreters, made referrals, and arranged for compassionate companionship to elders through home
and nursing home visits. Long-term goals include planning and creating a culturally sensitive multipurpose facility, including a permanent Senior Community Center and Assisted Living Facility. ^
Refugee Assistance Programs:
Another recently incorporated nonprofit, Refugee Assistance Programs (RAP; www.refugeeassistanceprograms.blogspot. com), is a fully volunteer effort designed to disburse emergency financial assistance
for rent, kitchen kits, and personal care items. Over the last six years, it has often been new refugees’ first point of contact with Chicago-area Muslims. Based on the philosophy of “wings not crutches,” the organization contributes toward driving lessons and school tuition, connects refugees to existing resources, helps them find work, and offers friendship. Knowing that collaboration is key and that actions, not just intentions, change
faith dialogue, the CIOGC became synonymous with civic life by embracing immigration reform and joining various coaliMuslim communities are benefitting from the Greater Chicago Muslim tions. It also witnessed the largest expansion in its budget, experience in collaborative working. BY DR. MOHAMMED ZAHER SAHLOUL members, and staff. Gov. Howard any people consider Dean (chairman, Democratic Natheir eighteenth birthday tional Committee) addressed a to be a landmark. And large audience of Chicago Musyet as we celebrate the eighlims at the council chair’s invitateenth year of working together at tion and praised its role in advothe Council of Islamic Organizacating political empowerment. tions of Greater Chicago (CIOGC; In 2009, attorney Junaid www.ciogc.org), we have many Afeef led 450 Muslims to the other and more important landfirst Muslim ACTION! Day. This marks to highlight and celebrate. year more than 1,000 Muslims, In the summer of 1989, I arrived including 650 high school stufrom Syria to pursue advanced dents, participated in the second training in medicine. In my mind Muslim ACTION! Day in SpringChicago was the city of Al Capone, field. The icing on the cake was crime, gangs, and skyscrapers. Resolution SJR 0785, introBut I soon discovered an ever-welduced by State Sen. Mattie coming neighbor: one of the city’s Hunter, to designate Ramadan oldest mosques—in fact, its Mothas a “green month” in Illinois in CIOGC component organizations meet every two months er Mosque—the Muslim Commu- SHURA: order to promote awareness _______________________________________________________________________ nity Center. During my first few among faith communities about months in the city I also visited the of uniting this growing community along with the Chicago archdio- environmental issues. Those under a common umbrella. An ad cese, and other groups. area’s oldest mosque, Northearly visionaries who sought to hoc committee was formed to inbrook’s Islamic Cultural Center, In the aftermath of 9/11, attor- set up a basic coordinating orgavestigate this ambitious project. home to the Bosnian community; ney Kareem Irfan (2001-2004), nization could not have fathits largest mosque, Villa Park’s Is- The CIOGC was officially formed who led the CIOGC through one omed a day when “their council’ lamic Foundation; and a few small- in 1992, with twenty member of the community’s most crucial would comprise more than sixty mosques and organizations. er mosques near Devon Avenue. moments, was assisted by Amina member organizations and many Dr. Mohammed Kaiseruddin Although the community looked Saeed, a young outreach direcmore would be waiting to join. (1993-1996), a nuclear engineer tor. Council leaders met with vibrant, diverse, and entrepreThey probably did not dream of a with a great passion for Islam and public officials and law enforce- day when it would take 1,000 neurial, it had no central leadercommunity service, led the coun- ment representatives, and mem- Muslims to Springfield to advoship or official spokesperson. Everyone was working without co- cil in its formative period. Around bers were invited to meet with cate for the common good, serve the same time the war in Bosnia ordination, networking, or planFBI and DHS representatives at as a role model for other regional ning. Thus when a crisis hit, televi- broke out. The Chicago Muslim the Chicago Roundtable to adcouncils, coordinate care for response represented a true sion stations and news reporters dress the mounting cases of civil Muslim refugees, empower Musdemonstration of unity, and the would scramble to find any rights violations. Under the lead- lim youths and women, train Bosnia Task Force, USA helped “Moslem or Arab or something” ership of the council and United leaders, and present a positive create national awareness about Power, more than 2,000 Muslims Muslim face to the media. who happened to be near a mosque. They would then ask that this holocaust. Over the following met with 2,000 Christians to The CIOGC has come a long four years (1997-2000), Dr. Talal demonstrate their commitment “expert” what Muslims thought way and, with the Almighty’s Sunbulli, a physician, led the about what was happening. Of to mutual understanding, and blessings and continued commucourse the victim spoke, and most council with humility and sinceri- good neighborliness. nity support, faces a bright future. _______________________ ty. During his tenure, it became a of the time it was not pretty. Under the relentless leaderDr. Mohammed Zaher Sahloul, a pediatrician, is founding member of United Pow- ship of Abdul Malik Mujahid In 1990, Muslim visionaries president of the Mosque Foundation, Bridgeview, IL, er for Action and Justice (United (2005-2008), a seasoned from across the greater Chicago and chairperson of the CIOGC. area met to discuss the possibility Power; www.united-power.org), champion of activism and inter-
Rich History — Promising Future
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