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 The staff and board of the Shura Council extends our immense gratitude for your participation at the banquet and we appreciate your support. Hosting more than 400 guests including leaders of over 40 different organizations was a joy. And equally joyous was the celebration of the following honorees for 2012:
- Imam Abdul Karim Hasan of Bilal Islamic Center received the Lifetime Service Award
- Sr. Khadija Galedary of the Los Angeles Latino Muslim Association (LALMA) received the Outreach Award
- ACLU-Southern California, received the Justice Award
We congratulate all the honorees and applaud them for their myriad contributions to their respective constituencies and the society at large. We pray that they be blessed with the best of health and strength to continue their selfless work for the greater good.
Thanking God at the occasion, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Chairman of the Shura Council said, this organization continues to thrive and is able to serve only because of consistent support from its member organizations and the community at large. He also recognized the Majlis and Staff for advancing Shura Council's mission of "assisting, representing, coordinating and advocating" on behalf of its member mosques and organizations.
Referring to a comprehensive survey of
Southern California mosques and the community commissioned by Shura Council, Dr. Siddiqi said that the number of Masajid in Southern California has grown by nearly 40%. This growth makes Shura Council's role even more important he said and asked the community to support generously and designate a part of their zakat to Shura Council.
Dr.Sherman Jackson delivered a keynote talk on "The Mosques' Role in the 21st Century" and invited the leadership to make mosques focus on being more inclusive and that community leaders must also work to create "third spaces" outside of the home and mosque where young Muslims feel comfortable being themselves and exploring their identity. Dr. Jackson's talk will be made available online very shortly.
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