Chicago, Illinois – July 11th & 12th, 2009 – The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago staff and leaders actively engage with its member mosques. On a recent weekend Council staff members Junaid Afeef, Executive Director, Ahmed Khan, Associate Organizer and Amal Ali, Youth Organizer were out and about. One Saturday Afeef and Khan visited the newly built mosque of the MCC in north suburban Morton Grove. Arriving very early Afeef and Khan were able to network with the MCC’s past and present leaders and with guests as they arrived. For a second year in a row the MCC held a fundraising dinner on its property under a big tent with tikki torches lining the perimeter. In addition to MCC members there were also community leaders from other mosques. Two executive committee members of the Council were also in attendance this evening. Saleem Shaikh, a longstanding board member of Islamic Foundation and the Council’s current Treasurer was on hand as was Maqsood Quadri, board member of the Downtown Islamic Center and a director at large with the Council. Overall the Council had a very strong presence at the MCC Expansion Fundraiser as the current MCC president, Tariq Malhance, is also a director at large within the Council. On Sunday Afeef and Ali headed way down south to Frankfort, Illinois for the annual American Islamic Association Community Fair. Like the day before the weather was very cooperative and the day was warm and sunny with just a slight, intermittent breeze. Like MCC the night before, AIA graciously welcomed the Council as its guest. The Council had a booth in the bazaar area where it set out brochures of the United Muslim Fund of Illinois as well as copies of the latest Chicago Crescent newspaper. For over 4 hours the Council both was visited by community members, friends and supporters and even a local non-Muslim couple who were visiting with AIA. Drs. Afzal and Shireen Ahmad both dropped by the Council booth to chat. Several youth at the community fair recognized Ali for her several years of solid youth organizing as well. The Council is committed to serving its members. In order to understand each member organization’s needs staff members try to visit as many mosques as possible every week. |