Metro
January 2022, first-ever Muslim American Heritage Month in Illinois, wraps up after Muhammad Ali Day celebration
That’s as a result of the nonprofit group, the Muslim American Management Alliance, didn’t have a lot time to organize after pushing for the heritage month.
Governor Pritzker issued the proclamation final December to have a good time the contributions of Muslim Individuals in Illinois each January beginning in 2022.
“I’d say at first it was a shock,” stated Ahmed Flex Omar, cofounder of MALA. “However then after that you simply begin processing what this really means, not only for us, however for generations to come back.”
MALA started in 2015 in Chicago to have a good time Muslim American heritage.
“We thought it was necessary to teach our fellow Individuals in regards to the contributions of Muslim Individuals,” stated Omar, who got here to the U.S. as a refugee from Somaliland when he was 19.
A brand new state regulation went into impact this yr requiring faculties to show the contributions of Individuals of various religion teams, together with Muslims. And final week the state noticed Muhammad Ali Day for the primary time.
Former radio cultural commentator Narimon Safavi stated there are a lot of misconceptions in regards to the Muslim American group.
“This can be a nice alternative to point out the higher a part of the Islamic heritage and the peace-loving and the extra of the celebration of the cultures and the range,” stated Safavi, who’s Iranian American and serves on the adviory board of MALA.
Omar stated MALA could have a number of packages and occasions to have a good time the Muslim American Heritage Month every year begininng in 2023.
“Positively going to be bigger efforts subsequent yr, however we’re very completely satisfied we now have welcomed the brand new yr with Muslim American Heritage Month,” he stated.
Omar stated he hopes each state will put aside a month to have a good time the Muslim American group.
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