250 Activists Trained at CAIR-LA Leadership Conference
Glimpses of the leadership conference organized by CAIR-LA. Pictures by Anwar Khawaja
Anaheim, CA: On Saturday, April 23 some 250 Southern California activists enhanced their leadership skills at a training conference held by the Greater Los Angeles Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA).
CAIR-LA's day-long "Transforming Our Communities: Leadership Conference 2011" offered workshops on civic engagement, media relations, the use of social media, civil rights advocacy, public speaking, and other topics relating to being an effective community leader or activist.
Conference participants included members of the state's Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities.
"Members of the Muslim and other faith communities are in a unique position to lead positive social change in society and strengthen the American democratic spirit by learning and adopting grassroots activism tools," said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush.
SEE: Transforming Our Communities: Leadership Conference 2011
Nationally-respected civil rights attorney Linda Moreno offered the keynote speech at an evening banquet at the conclusion of the conference.
Moreno previously represented Dr. Sami al-Arian, a Palestinian professor, in the case of United States v. Sami Amin al-Arian, et al.
After a six-month trial, which garnered international attention, the jury refused, in a 53-count indictment, to return a single guilty verdict against Dr. al-Arian and acquitted him of several of the most serious charges.
CAIR is 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.
