The Muslim Civic Coalition hosted its annual State of the Coalition Brunch on Saturday, marking a yr of historic firsts for the group and its achievements over the previous yr.
The celebrations acknowledged the election of 23-year-old Palatinate Nabeela Syed, the primary Indian-American lady, and together with state representative-elect Abdelnasser Rashid of Justice, one of many first Muslims, to the General Assembly. Syed will characterize the 51st State House District. Rashid is the primary Palestinian-American elected to the state legislature, representing the twenty first House District.
The coalition additionally famous the publication of its first complete Illinois Muslims Report and the systematic passage of a number of new legal guidelines created by Muslims to learn all Illinois residents. These legal guidelines embody these making certain that student-athletes can’t be penalized or prevented from enjoying by selecting to put on a head overlaying (hijab) or different spiritual clothes throughout sporting actions and video games; Recognizing the contributions of Muslims within the schooling system via an inclusive curriculum; and the introduction of January 17 as Muhammad Ali Day in Illinois.
The coalition is now taking its social and civil society efforts throughout the nation, working for Muslims and numerous and underrepresented faiths, races and communities.
Dilara Sayeed –
“2022 has truly been a historic year not only for the Coalition and for Muslim communities across Illinois, but for many other groups that are too often invisible,” mentioned Dilara Sayeed, President of the Coalition. “Our achievements have been no small feat, which we have now achieved via collaboration with our many companions within the Illinois state legislature, religion communities, philanthropic organizations, attorneys, allies and extra. As we mirror on these victories, we acknowledge the laborious work that lies forward and look ahead to all that we are able to obtain collectively in 2023 and past.”
shield migrants
Haitian-American Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is asking the US Department of Homeland Security to re-grant Haiti short-term protected standing to forestall forcing US residents to return to probably life-threatening situations.
“Conditions in Haiti have deteriorated due to government instability, public health concerns and violence,” Raoul mentioned. “Haitian immigrants risked their lives to escape these dangers.”
Federal legislation supplies short-term lawful standing for aliens within the United States from international locations affected by armed battle, pure catastrophe, or different extraordinary circumstances that forestall their secure return.
On August 3, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security designated Haiti a TPS. This designation has been prolonged to June 2024. She protects sure Haitian migrants from deportation and approves work permits whereas they’re right here. However, migrants who entered the US after August 2021 usually are not eligible.
Construction of the Naperville Islamic Center’s new mosque on 248th Avenue has begun. -Robert Sanchez | Staff Photographer
mosque venture
The Naperville Islamic Center is asking for donations to help its Masjid Al-Nur building venture.
The middle’s first mosque can be constructed from scratch after overcoming unprecedented opposition, officers mentioned.
Officials broke floor in September for the five-phase, 40-year building venture on the south aspect of the town. They envision it can accommodate the fast-growing Muslim inhabitants within the Naperville space, which has elevated by greater than 20% within the final three years.
The 13-acre website at 3540 248th Ave. will home a 28,000 sq. meter mosque, a multipurpose middle, a college and a health club. The whole value of the venture is round $11.5 million, of which officers have $3.9 million in money. To sponsor a $100 brick, go to islamiccenterofnaperville.org/bricks/.
DEI moderator needed
The City of Geneva is in search of aggressive proposals for a facilitator to help its Diversity Equity and Inclusion Task Force.
The chosen firm or particular person would help the duty power with a roadmap, take into account key areas of focus, develop objectives and motion factors, and formulate an total imaginative and prescient of the work.
Areas of focus embody ADA accessibility, metropolis practices, group partnerships, group policing, financial empowerment, gender/sexual orientation, well being care, housing, language entry, public engagement, race and ethnicity, seniors and youth.
The job power would create a DEI plan that will deal with inner-city practices, the composition and insurance policies of councils and commissions, and total group methods.
See geneva.il.us/Bids.aspx for particulars? Bid ID=261.
Lincoln Prize Winner
Two suburban college students — Elmhurst University senior Hiba Anees of Woodridge and Benedictine University senior Hiba Durrani of Aurora — obtained the 2022 Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement and Student Laureate Award.
They had been among the many excellent college students representing Illinois schools and universities not too long ago acknowledged by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
Each scholar honoree obtained a $500 Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, a Lincoln Medal, and a Certificate of Merit signed by Governor JB Pritzker.
dr Annette VanAken, from left, Hiba Anees, and Elmhurst University President Troy D. VanAken have fun Anees’ election because the college’s Lincoln Student Laureate. – Courtesy of Elmhurst University
Anees, a particular schooling main, has served as President of the Student Government Association, is a member of the Union Board management group, and is a scholar ambassador. She can also be a member of the Muslim Student Association, a peer counselor for freshmen and a life coach and advisor to college students on the Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy.
After graduating subsequent May, Anees plans to grow to be a particular schooling instructor and do extra to serve college students with disabilities.
Aurora’s Hiba Durrani is the Lincoln Student Laureate at Benedictine University. – Courtesy of the Benedictine University
Durrani is finding out well being sciences and plans to enter medical faculty after graduating subsequent spring. She is concerned within the Benedictine University Doctors Without Borders affiliation and is concerned in a analysis venture on the consequences of probiotics on bile acid-induced dysfunction. The intention is to determine new therapeutic methods to fight diarrhea signs in sufferers with irritable bowel and inflammatory bowel ailments.
Santa Claus in signal language
Educators dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus will use American Sign Language to “speak” Christmas needs to 35 deaf and laborious of listening to suburban kids Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Aurora Noon Lions Club is internet hosting its twelfth Annual Party for college kids and workers from the East and West Aurora Public School Districts at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 28 S. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora.
Mrs. Claus and Santa are performed by Shelley and Keith Strnad from Oswego. Shelley teaches deaf and laborious of listening to college students in grades three via 5 at Prairie Point Elementary School in Oswego. Keith teaches sixth via eighth grade deaf and laborious of listening to college students at Traughber Middle School in Oswego.
Each baby receives a present from Santa Claus. Children and caregivers are invited to take part within the pizza dinner, mentioned Aurora’s Dick Schindel, get together coordinator and retired instructor from East Aurora High.
The annual celebration is a partnership of Noon Lions and the Sycamore-based Northwestern Illinois Association, a regional particular schooling cooperative.
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