A Message from The Chair
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

My Dear Brothers, Sisters, and Friends,

Assalamu Alaikum (Peace Be Upon You),

On behalf of the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), thank you for your unwavering support of our efforts to promote a more just and inclusive nation. CAIR-CA continues to grow into a solid institution with a strong foundation that the community depends on and trusts.

At CAIR-CA, we have faith in the freedom afforded to all Americans by the Constitution, and the civil rights struggles of so many communities before us. We strive to protect these freedoms through our mission to enhance understanding of Islam, empower American Muslims and promote justice. As brave people in other parts of the world sacrifice their lives to gain freedom, we must intensify our efforts to guard the rights and opportunities we hold dear in our country.

With the news of the National Security Agency spying on millions of law-abiding Americans, we are now witnessing our freedoms being eroded more than ever. The increasingly vocal opposition to mosque construction locally and nationally, the gradual erosion of students’ rights to voice their opinions on college campuses, and Islamophobic rhetoric spewed by some public officials are all examples of why more work is needed.

Guided by faith and the principles of freedom, CAIR is at the forefront to stop these infringements on our constitutionally-protected rights. Your support, as it has in the past, will ensure that CAIR-CA continues to tackle these and other challenges to ensure our community thrives in a more equitable society.

Despite these obstacles, CAIR-CA has celebrated many successes this year. CAIR-CA’s proactive programs, designed to equip the community with the necessary tools for advocacy, continue to flourish. This year, over 150 Muslim community members participated in the second-annual “Muslim Day at the Capitol” where they advocated for issues of concern to lawmakers. Additionally, the “Muslim Youth Leadership Program” has empowered over 350 students with the skills necessary to grow into community leaders since its inception in 2005. This year, one of the program’s own graduates, Sadia Saifuddin of UC Berkeley, was appointed as the first Muslim to serve as student regent on the UC Board of Regents.

On behalf of the CAIR-CA Board and Executive Commi­ttees, I am grateful to all of our dedicated interns, volunteers, and staff who give their time and effort to serve the community.

Thank you for your prayers and tremendous support. If you have any comments or suggestions for improvement, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We are proud to serve you through our four offices in the Greater Los Angeles Area, Sacramento Valley, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Sincerely,

Safaa Ibrahim

Chair, CAIR-California

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