Chicago Roundup
More than 2000 Chicagoans Rally to Support Egyptian Uprising . Chicago to Lahore, Connecting Edge: A Well-designed Exhibition of Culture and Arts . CCN Providers Discuss How Healthy Halal Eating Can Combat Obesity Problem . Federation of Indian Associations Celebrates Republic Day
By Dr. Mujahid Ghazi
More than 2000 Chicagoans Rally to Support Egyptian Uprising
Chicago: “Brick by brick, wall by wall, we will see Mubarak fall,” was chanted again and again as more than 2000 protesters rallied last Saturday in front of the Egyptian Consulate on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
There were men, women and children, from all races, all ethnicities, and all religions united against the tyranny and in support of the oppressed people of Egypt. They chanted “Hey Mubarak you will see, all Egyptians will be free.”
Addressing the rally, Christina Abraham with the Council on American-Islamic Relations conveyed the message of Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR Chicago, who is at present in the midst of the protests at Tahrir Square in Cairo. Rehab has been writing his blog from there by dictating it to his staff in Chicago.
Dr. Zaher Sehloul, Chairman, CIOGC; Osama Jamal from Mosque Foundation; Professor Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni, Research Professor of Law Emeritus at DePaul University; and President of Egyptian American Association and many other community leaders and activists spoke at the rally.
The speakers demanded that Washington should stop helping dictators like Hosni Mubarak and instead should support the people of Egypt.
Chicago to Lahore, Connecting Edge: A Well-designed Exhibition of Culture and Arts
The Lahore Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International presented From Chicago to Lahore : Connecting Edge at the Chicago Cultural Center recently. It was a premier exhibit of drawings, films, photographs, writings and paintings by artists from two differing regions whose work collectively revels in making connections – focusing on influences and inferences. The works ranged from renowned masterpieces to contemporary explorations in various media, which revealed distinctive symbolism and style.
The exhibition showcased the works of prominent artists including Abdur Rahman Chugtai, Adam Siegel, Bashir Ahmed, Khalid Iqbal, Meher Afroze, Tassaduq Sohail and local artists Zafar Malik and Huma, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker John Lyons, MacArthur Fellow Shahzia Sikander and Berlin Today Award-winning filmmaker Maheen Zia.
The reception was held in Sydney R. Yates Gallery. Sadia Uqaili, the curator of the exhibition, welcomed the guests and acknowledged the support of Ms. Farhat, Dr. Tariq Butt and Mr. Zafar Malik. Secretary of State Mr. Jesse White commended the work of Sister Cities International in organizing such a great event. He also talked about his long relationship with the Pakistani-American community in Chicago. Dr. Tariq Butt spoke about the Sister Cities International’s Chicago Lahore project and asked the community to come forward and get involved in making the relationship between these two cities stronger and viable.
Later, poetry readings, music and film screenings were done in Claudia Cassidy Theatre. Among the presenters were famous Pakistani novelist, writer and poet Razia Faseeh Ahmed, poet Hashmat Sohail, Dr. Nushmia Zia Khokar and Dr. Zafar Malik.
CCN Providers Discuss How Healthy Halal Eating Can Combat the Obesity Problem
The spotlight was on America’s growing obesity epidemic at Compassionate Care Network’s Quarterly Provider Meeting on Friday, January 28, 2011, at the Holiday Inn Northshore in Skokie, IL. Compassionate Care Network (CCN) formally introduced its 2011 Weight Management Project that will consist of a series of weight management workshops aimed at training counselors who will act as personal coaches for individuals interested in weight management. Workshops will be open to the public as well. CCN’s initiative aims to address the surge in obesity and to educate people on healthy eating with a focus on ethnic food preparation.
Yvonne Maffei, founder of My Halal Kitchen (www.myhalalkitchen.com), gave a presentation on the best methods to prepare healthy halal food and Dr. S. Farhathullah Quadri, PhD, and Asma Ahad from the Islamic Food & Nutrition Council of America (www.ifanca.org ) provided detailed information on how to determine if common prepackaged foods are halal. The need for healthier alternatives on the menus of Islamic School lunches was considered an immediate priority.
The evening program and dinner was sponsored by Home Healthcare Renewal Services, Inc. (HHRS) www.hhrsinc.com.
Federation of Indian Associations Celebrates Republic Day
Hundreds of Indians gathered in a local banquet hall to celebrate the Indian Republic Day. Besides the flag hoisting and singing of the national anthem, local dance and music groups performed to reflect the rich cultural heritage of Indian Americans. The festivity was organized by the Federation of Indian Associations in Chicago. Although the president of the Federation was attending a family emergency in India the organizing committee did a phenomenal job under the leadership of people like Sohan Joshi, Iftikhar Shareef and Sher Rajput to make the event a success.
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