‘The Muslim-Latino Collaborative’ Formed
Anaheim, CA: On Friday, January 20, the Greater Los Angeles area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) joined local Muslim and Latino leaders and community activists in a press conference to announce the formation of The Muslim-Latino Collaborative.
The members of the collaborative included IIOC, OCCCO, OCCORD, Los Amigos of Orange County, UniteHere! Local 11, and many other leaders, clergies and activists from OC.
The Executive Director of OCCORD, Shakeel Syed, began the press conference with welcoming remarks and announced that the collaborative aims to support and unify both communities by encouraging mutual learning, developing meaningful relationships, and promoting solidarity in action.
Arturo Ferreras, a priest at St Matthew Ecumenical Catholic Church in Orange and resident of Anaheim, spoke to how the collaborative will help to foster solidarity with one another and renew hope for empowerment and justice for both underrepresented communities.
DrMuzammil Siddiqi, the Religious Director of the Islamic Society of Orange County, welcomed the initiative, stating that embracing each other’s commonalities will help achieve the well-being for all.
President of Los Amigos of Orange County and Anaheim City Councilman of District 3, Dr Jose Moreno, expressed excitement about how the collaborative will help build a stronger Anaheim and Orange County.
“Local politics plays a considerable role on the well-being of its communities. Strengthening the partnership between the local Muslim and Latino communities will help shape a future where all people are respected,” said CAIR-LA Executive Director HussamAyloush. “We hope this collaborative in OC will lead the way for others across the nation to follow suit in promoting unity and justice for minorities.”
“Today I’m proud to stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters especially during the divisive presidential campaign”, said Ada Briceno, Secretary Treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 11. “We are not giving up by going back to the shadows – we will uplift our rights in the streets, in the courts, in the hill and in state and local levels. We are here to stay.”
“Friday is considered to be the most blessed day within the Islamic faith,” said Shaykh Mustafa Umar, the Education Director and religious scholar of IIOC. “It’s a blessing have the formation of the Muslim-Latino collaborative be on this Friday, when many are in fear of the uncertain political climate that is to come.”
Also in attendance were: Al Jabbar, Anaheim Unified school district board member; Marisol Rivera, Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Miguel Hernandez, Orange County Community Congregation Organization (OCCCO); MirvetteJudeh, Arab American Civil Council; Sandra Ortega, Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) and Waqas Khan, ICNA OC.
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