WASHINGTON, March 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The board and staff of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today offered their sincere condolences to the family of Aminah Assilmi, a national Muslim community activist, scholar and leader who died earlier today in a car accident outside of Newport, Tenn. She was returning with her son from a speaking engagement in New York. Her son, who was injured in the accident, was taken to a hospital in Knoxville.

"To God we belong and to Him we return," said CAIR National Board Chairman State Senator Larry Shaw (NC). "We ask God to shower His mercy on Sister Aminah and to grant her loved ones strength and patience in this time of sorrow."

Sister Aminah, who was 65, served as the Director of the International Union of Muslim Women. She was an internationally-respected author, an advocate for women's rights and a renowned speaker on Islam.  

Despite health issues, Sister Aminah maintained a rigorous schedule of speaking engagements around the nation and the world. She was instrumental in the U.S. Postal Service's 2001 issuing of the "Eid" stamp, which marks the two main Muslim holidays. Her current project included a Center for Muslim Women's Studies that would serve as a resource center for new Muslims and as a summer camp for Muslim children.

Funeral arrangements are being made through:

Click Funeral Home

109 Walnut Street

Lenoir City, TN 37771

Tel: (865) 986-8013

She is survived by her daughter Amber, and sons, Whitney and Mohammad, as well as by several grandchildren.  

Donations are being accepted to offset burial expenses. For more information, visit the web site of the International Union of Muslim Women, http://www.IUMW.org. Any surplus donations will go to continue her work. The International Union of Muslim Women is a nonprofit, 501 c(3) organization.

Remembrances can be sent to IUMW@yahoo.com. Some of these may be published on the web site.

For additional information, contact Nadiah Beekun at (775) 762-4905 or e-mail nadiah@usa.com.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.cair.com
http://www.IUMW.org