American Islamic Congress Holds 'Massachusetts' Salute to Ramadan' Ceremony at the State House

BOSTON, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Islamic Congress (AIC) and its student-led Project Nur campus initiative will host the second annual "Salute to Ramadan" today at 3PM in the Nurses' Hall of the Massachusetts State House. The brief civic ceremony will feature diverse Muslim community leaders, student activists, and musical performers.

Both houses of the legislature recently passed resolutions marking Ramadan, and Governor Deval Patrick has issued a proclamation saluting the American Islamic Congress' "Help End Hunger" drive to help feed the homeless in Massachusetts. A donation of 500 pounds of rice will be made to the Pine Street Inn at the ceremony.

"Ramadan is a time when Muslims are reminded to be humble," noted Dina Abkairova of the American Islamic Congress' New England Council. "We stand in the State House humbled by the weight of the history and proudly celebrating the religious freedom our founding fathers enshrined centuries ago in this city.

Last year's inaugural "Salute to Ramadan" ceremony was the first in the history of the Massachusetts legislature, and this year AIC continues the tradition of celebrating the founding values of the United States and of the Commonwealth.

"Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Baha'is, and those of other faiths must unite to show in difficult times and in the face of adversity that Americans remain committed to our basic liberties," explained Abkairova.

Speakers include Dr. Fatai Illupeju of the Nigerian Islamic Society of Massachusetts; Wajida Syed of Brandeis University's award-winning Project Nur chapter; and Asma Bhindarwala representing the local Dawoodi Bohra community. Performers include Iraqi violinist Ali Abdalkadir and Berklee percussionist Ehssan Karimi.

Special guests include members of the diplomatic corps, civic leaders from diverse non-profit organizations, and a delegation of Iraqi officials visiting Boston on an international visitors' tour.

The American Islamic Congress (AIC) is a civil rights organization promoting tolerance and the exchange of ideas among Muslims and between other peoples. As Muslim-Americans thriving in a multicultural society with civil liberties, the organization's members promote these values for the global Muslim community. With the motto "passionate about moderation," AIC maintains offices in Washington, Boston, Egypt, and Iraq. For more information, visit: http://www.AICongress.org/.

SOURCE American Islamic Congress