(ANAHEIM, CA, 7/29/16) – On Monday, August 1, the California chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) will join Assembly member Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) in the presentation of House Resolution 59, which recognizes the month of August 2016 as “Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.”
WHAT: A presentation of HR 59, to Recognize August 2016 as “Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month"
WHEN: Program begins at 11:30 a.m.; Resolution Presentation, 1 p.m.
WHERE: Program – Capitol Room 2163; Resolution Presentation – Assembly Floor
CONTACT: CAIR-Sacramento Valley Programs Consultant Maheen Ahmed, 916.605.6099, mahmed@sacval.cair.com; CAIR-Sacramento Valley Executive Director Basim Elkarra, 916.441.6269, belkarra@cair.com
“I am proud to celebrate the first ever Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month by honoring generations of Muslim Americans for their many social, cultural, and economic contributions to California,” Assembly member Quirk stated. “The rhetoric surrounding this election makes the presentation of this resolution more important for me,” he said. “It is appropriate to acknowledge and promote awareness of the myriad invaluable contributions of Muslim Americans in California and across the country, and extend to them the respect and camaraderie every American deserves.”
CAIR-CA’s recently-released Civil Rights Report indicates that bias incidents spiked by 58 percent between 2014 and 2015, which is attributed to public hostility generated by international acts of violence and hateful rhetoric utilized by candidates since the start of the election cycle.
A total of 1,556 incidents were reported to CAIR-California over the course of the 2015-year. These included complaints involving: employment discrimination, federal law enforcement questioning, housing discrimination, immigration issues, hate crimes, school bullying, and several categories.
SEE: 2016 CAIR-CA Civil Rights Report
“During these difficult times of increased anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate incidents, Assembly member Quirk’s resolution and recognition of Muslim Americans is uplifting for our community and immensely appreciated,” said CAIR-Sacramento Valley Executive Director Basim Elkarra. “It is truly a historic moment for all Californians.”
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, 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.
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