Calif. Muslims Participate in Asian & Pacific Islander Policy Summit
Sacramento, CA: Members of the state’s Muslim community participated in the 8th annual statewide Asian & Pacific Islander Policy Summit themed “Fighting the Good Fight: Impacting Local, State, and Federal Public Policy” on May 2-3 at the Sacramento Convention Center.
The two-day summit, one of the largest Asian American civically engaged gatherings in the state, attracted some 350 people and featured skills building workshops that involved real community problems and gave an opportunity to participants to become stronger advocates, organizers and leaders.
Four policy tracks were covered at the conference: civil rights, education, health and human services, and housing and community development. Participants’ legislative visits with respective legislators were also held.
CAIR-LA Civil Rights Manager Affad Shaikh conducted one of the civil rights workshops. He discussed civil rights challenges faced by the American Muslim community and how the organization is working to address those concerns.
Los Angeles native Shahd Bahgat said she found the conference enlightening. Read more about her experiences here.
Additionally, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush addressed the main plenary session of the Summit. He spoke of the tremendous diversity within the American Muslim community, and how the Muslim and the API communities are united through their experiences and concerns for equality and fair opportunities for underrepresented groups in our country.
CAIR-LA Government Relations Coordinator Adel Syed said the Policy Summit provided an excellent opportunity for Muslim community members to get acquainted with the civic process and engage California legislators on key issues that affect all Californians. He informed that CAIR Community Network is an important grassroots effort for Muslim members who wish to be active in the political process and encouraged them to join the community network. To join, e-mail Adel Syed at info@losangeles.cair.com.
CAIR-LA would like to thank Asian & Pacific Islanders California Action Network (APIsCAN) and other local community groups for their partnership.
