IndiaPost.com - CAIR's Entertainment Night for Civil Rights

ANAHEIM, CA: More than 1,200 people attended the 3rd Annual Entertainment Night for Civil Rights hosted by the Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) on Saturday, May 19, at the Anaheim Heritage Forum. CAIR-LA honored three outstanding Muslim youths with "Muslim Youth Activism Award" for their efforts in civil, social and religious activities.

The award recipients are: 20-year-old Marwa Latif of Irvine, 22-year-old Joanne Eldeib of Anaheim Hills, and 15-year-old Tasbeeh Herwees of Cerritos. Additionally, special recognition was given to the "Axis of Evil" Comedy Troupe - Ahmed Ahmed, Aron Kader, and Dean Obeidallah - for their extraordinary efforts in building bridges and correcting stereotypes about Muslim and Arab Americans. Fawad Yacoob, CAIR-LA Executive Committee Member, served as the lively and entertaining master of ceremonies.

He expressed CAIR-LA's purpose behind organizing the event, saying "It provides clean, fun-filled entertainment for the entire family and is a nice break from the more traditional educational seminars and fundraising events." Later on, Yacoob introduced the highlight of the evening, "Axis of Evil" comedy troupe.

Comedians Ahmed, Obeidallah and Kader performed hilarious skits and kept their audiences laughing throughout the night. CAIR-LA originally expected 600 people, but the hall was packed Saturday evening, with attendees thoroughly enjoying the comedians' jokes.

People even came from as far away as Santa Barbara and San Diego to hear the "Axis of Evil" trio. The night also included an update on the status of civil rights by Hussam Ayloush, Executive Director of CAIR-LA. In his talk, Ayloush announced CAIR's new "Dollar a Day" Campaign, urging people to support CAIR and also thanked the community for its continued support.

Commenting on why CAIR-LA chose to combine comedy and civil rights, Ayloush stated, "It is so easy to feel depressed and disheartened during difficult times, especially for Muslims, who have to endure Islamophobia and civil rights violations. In response to that, such an entertainment night helps lift Muslim community's spirits and boost their morale."