LOS ANGELES: On Sunday, June 22, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Greater Los Angeles Area office (CAIR-LA) organized a half-day conference and benefit dinner featuring Dr. Jamal Badawi, a leading scholar on Islam in North America, at the Islamic Center of Northridge in Granada Hills.
Themed “An Alliance for Virtue,” the half-day conference included various workshop sessions covering the areas of civic engagement, community organizing, and messaging and communication in an effort to empower community members with effective advocacy skills.
“Our goal was to help mobilize and empower activists and volunteers with the tools to make them better and more effective advocates on behalf of the American-Muslim community,” said Hussam Ayloush, Executive Director of CAIR-LA. “We feel it’s important to engage the San Fernando Valley community and provide them with the same tools we provide the rest of Southern California Muslim community.”
Ayloush opened the conference by welcoming attendees and spoke to the importance of civic participation, detailing the steps members can take to make their voices heard through various civic institutions at the local and state levels. Communications Coordinator Yasmin Nouh discussed the elements of effective messaging on critical issues of concern to American Muslims and the broader community.
The conference concluded with a session by Dr. Jamal Badawi about our moral and spiritual obligation to play a role in advancing our society through civic participation and through forming coalitions with allies who wish to achieve shared goals of justice, equality, and peace.
American Muslim families of all backgrounds actively participated in the conference and shared positive feedback that they were better equipped and empowered with the leadership skills needed to be more effective spokespersons and activists for the American Muslim community.
Following the conference was an interactive session during dinner in which the attendees asked Dr. Badawi questions relevant to today’s Muslim communities. He addressed the social barriers that inhibit community members from fully engaging in society, and reflected on the Prophetic legacy of public service and building alliances in order to achieve justice. With Dr. Badawi’s knowledgeable, eloquent, and genuine responses, the last part of the event went well into the evening.
India Post News Service
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