CAIR-Sacramento Valley 17th Annual Banquet a Huge Success
By Ras H. Siddiqui
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Sacramento Valley (SV) Chapter held its Annual Banquet at the Sacramento State University Student Union on Saturday, November 16, 2019 with the theme of “Building Power – Overcoming Injustice”, a reflection of just some of the valuable work that the organization is doing at this time.
It needs to be noted that this annual fundraising affair held by CAIR-SV is the largest event held by the Sacramento Muslim community annually (Eid prayer participation aside), and is an opportunity for other prominent individuals and organizations from the region to join with us on local, national and international issues that we mutually embrace.
Event emcee Dr Masood Cajee conducted the proceedings with his usual flair. The formalities started with a beautiful Qur’an recitation by Khalid Sayedi. And since we were all at Sacramento State University (Cajee also pointed out that this recently renovated building now has a Wudu station), Abdelrahman Mohamed, the President of its MSA, welcomed us and he was followed by the ever popular leader of this esteemed place of learning President Robert S. Nelsen who took the opportunity to add his words of encouragement. It was interesting to see the large number of graduates or parents of Sac State students that were present at this event when Nelsen asked them to stand up. And following him to the stage, the Mayor of Sacramento, Darrell Steinberg, also gave a short speech highlighting our region’s diversity and its unity when faced with issues of racism or bigotry. Sacramento is Number One. “Thumbs up,” he said. When the Jewish Mayor of our city addresses a CAIR event it should be considered nothing less than inspiring.
CAIR-SV President Wasim Ali next officially welcomed everyone. In his short address Wasim said that this was a very special evening and elaborated further on the event theme. He said that over the past year CAIR-SV has handled over 100 civil rights cases, over 150 immigration cases and has been critical in two major victories in the fight against injustice. One was the reunification a family torn apart by the Muslim Ban and the other case, one of reuniting an innocent young Muslim man with his family after many years of being incarcerated (that case is still not over so no further details will be provided here).
CAIR-SV did not hold back on serving dinner (till the fundraising is over either). A sumptuous Halal Mediterranean meal from Crest Café was served buffet style and it was extremely well-received. During this time CAIR-SV Executive Director BasimElkarra took the opportunity to introduce many local dignitaries and organizations present. He also thanked the sponsors of this event without whom we would probably not be holding this program. Basim also pointed us to the tables outside that one should visit including one highlighting the current plight of the Kashmiri people under Indian occupation.
An Award Ceremony followed during which Olga Trevizo received one for Distinguished Service and SaadSweilem, Marta Friedman, ShaimaSwileh and Ali Hassan received their recognition for Courage and Inspiration. And last but not least the CAIR-SV award for Lifetime Achievement was presented (In Memoriam) to the family of the late Imam HaazimRashed. This award was presented to Janice Rashed by Hana Ali, the daughter of The Greatest Muhammad Ali. The family also received other recognitions on stage from elected officials and local organizations which highlighted the great work that was done by Imam Haazim during his lifetime. We have certainly lost a pillar of our community.
CAIR-California CEO HussamAyloush spoke next. He praised the work that CAIR-SV has done since its inception and looked back over the years as the Sacramento Chapter of the organization was formed and subsequently under the able leadership of the local Muslim community who hired BasimElkarra as its Executive Director. It has certainly blossomed since then. If we praise Br Basim here it has a great deal of validity. He has been an alliance builder and the outreach of our community into the political mainstream of California’s Capital City since he came to Sacramento has never stopped. Ayloush also mentioned that there are now approximately 1 million Muslims in California and their strength matters.
A video showing the work that the Sacramento Chapter has done over the past year (and some before) was shown next. It had a dual message associated with it including “Let us come together and build for 2020” while our community readies itself for the US elections next year, and the challenges that it currently faces. Plus, let us not forget that the work that is being done by CAIR requires resources. That set the stage for the fundraiser as Executive Director BasimElkarra spoke briefly about important issues that the organization has dealt with recently. The fundraiser itself was carried out with the help of Special Guest Speaker MunirIqtish who certainly has a humorous way of helping people part with their money!
The keynote speech at this year’s banquet was delivered by academic, author and activist Dr Marc Lamont Hill. It was a memorable delivery too which included strong support for the rights of the Palestinian and Kashmiri people along with a condemnation of anti-Semitism. Hill also briefly spoke about the changes that have impacted America since the current administration came into office and he did not have anything positive to add about them. Space constraints here do not allow further elaboration on Dr. Hill’s inspiring delivery at this event. One just had to be there and hear it live to be really moved.
An auction followed where donated items and services went to the highest bidder. Two items of great interest were a signed painted portrait of boxing great Muhammad Ali which went for around $8,000 and another, a book also signed by him, was auctioned for over $4,000. Both items were brought here to help with the fundraising by Hana Ali. The concluding remarks were presented by CAIR-SV Deputy Director Summer Hararah and a closing prayer by Imam Yasir Khan ended the proceedings.
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