Major Interfaith, Govt. Leaders Meet in DC to Protect Religious Freedoms in US, Abroad

Asst. Atty. Gen. Perez, Rabbi Saperstein, Cardinal McCarrick Attend Islamic Society of North America Convention

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Major interfaith leaders and government officials will come together this weekend at the Islamic Society of North America's 49th annual convention to address civil rights challenges faced by Muslims in the U.S. and uphold minority rights in Muslim majority communities abroad.

Thomas Perez, Assistant U.S. Attorney Gen. for Civil Rights, ISNA President Mohamed Magid, Prof. Sherman Jackson, and Sheikh Hamza Yusuf will focus their remarks on the conference theme, "One Nation Under God: Striving for the Common Good" at a plenary session on Saturday, Sept. 1st from 8:30 to 11:00 pm.

Rabbi David Saperstein of the Union for Reform Judaism, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, and Rev. Jim Wallis of Sojourners will highlight ways in which faith-based communities work together to address issues of common concern, such as poverty, discrimination, and human rights abuses. This session titled, "Faithful Alliances for the Public Good" will take place on Sunday, Sept. 2nd from 2:30 - 4:00 pm.

ISNA will also host its 15th annual Interfaith Unity Banquet, "A Pluralistic Vision: Upholding the Rights of Religious Minorities Across the World" on Sunday, from 6 to 9 pm. One of the highlights of the convention, the banquet will celebrate interfaith achievements within the American Muslim community and recognize interfaith leaders and institutions that have contributed to the advancement of inter-religious understanding.

NOTE: Media professionals interested in attending the sessions should contact Asra Rahman at [email protected] or 571-214-2518. To view a full copy of the program, please visit www.isna.net/convention.

WHAT:  ISNA Convention
WHEN: September 1st and 2nd, 2012
WHERE: Walter E. Washington Convention Center,
801 Mount Vernon Place NW,
Washington, DC 20001

About ISNA: Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is an independent American Religious organization registered in the state of Indiana. ISNA is governed by a 12 member democratically elected North American board of directors comprising of men and women, 3 appointed North American zonal representatives, and 7 North American Constituent organization representatives.

ISNA was originally founded in 1963 and is one of the largest and oldest Islamic umbrella associations in North America. Based out of Plainfield, Indiana, its mission is to provide Muslim organizations and individuals with a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good relations with other religious communities, and civic and service organizations.

Our office in Washington, DC works closely with the federal government and the interfaith community to build bridges of understanding with people of all faiths and to represent Muslims in the national discourse on issues of faith and public policy. These inter-religious projects have helped break down barriers of misunderstanding, form genuine partnerships of faith and ethics, and establish a platform to advocate for social justice issues for the common good.

SOURCE Islamic Society of North America