IN THIS ISSUE
Alia Shah, Executive Director, Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) visited Michigan City, Indiana on July 14, 2006. She visited with Ibrahim Hakim, the president of the Islamic Center of Michigan City.
The Michigan City Islamic Center was damaged by vandals during the late night or early morning hours of July 2nd. Bullet holes were shot into the copper dome and almost every glass door and window was shot with BBs, resulting in $8,600 in damages.
Ibrahim Hakim, whose family emigrated from Lebanon and settled in the Michigan City area over fifty years ago, walked Shah around the property detailing the damage done to the property.
"Thrill-seeking teenage vandals wouldn't have been so methodical," states Hakim. He believes the way in which the crime was committed makes it obvious that this was a hate crime and not just a random act.
"People here were shocked and saddened. The positive side of this is that it creates an opportunity to increase awareness. We aren't running and hiding," says Hakim.
A planned press conference and ecumenical gathering at the Islamic Center is scheduled for July 30th. The diverse Muslim community will be joined by representatives of various faith-based organizations in the area to come together and talk about the incident and what can be done to protect the community from further hate crimes.
The center, which is only a few miles away from the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan, sits on 16 acres of wooded property. The FBI and local police continue to investigate the crime. They have not as yet been able to conclusively classify this crime as a hate crime.
Muslim Alliance of Indiana has contacted state and local officials and will continue to report developments as they unfold.
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FBI ASKED TO PROBE VANDALISM AT INDIANA MOSQUE
'KKK' reportedly scratched on sign, shots fired at dome, windows smashed
(INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 7/7/06) - A prominent statewide Muslim organization, Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI), today called on local and national law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism at an Indiana mosque as a possible hate crime.
Officials with the Islamic Center of Michigan City (ICMC) told authorities that vandals shot holes in the copper dome of the mosque, smashed a number of windows and scratched "KKK" on the center's sign. The vandalism was discovered on Sunday, July 2. ("KKK" refers to the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist group with a history of violence directed at racial and religious minorities.)
A representative of the Porter County Sheriff's Department said the initial police report did note the broken windows and other damage, but mentioned only "scratches" on the sign. An officer will be sent to the mosque to confirm the racist graffiti.
ICMC officials say their facility is the "first chartered Islamic center in the United States." It was established in May of 1924 and serves some 150 families.
"Given the type of vandalism reported and the growing level of anti-Muslim rhetoric in our society, it is important that these incidents be investigated as a hate crime," said MAI Executive Director Alia Shah.
Alia Shah has contacted Governor Mitch Daniels office for support. Shah also called on the FBI to add its resources to those of local law enforcement authorities. She also said there have been a number of similar incidents targeting the American Muslim community across the United States in recent months.
Just this week, a man was charged for throwing a pig's head into a mosque in Maine during evening prayers. Today, media reports indicate that investigators in Ohio are looking into the possibility that an arson fire and explosion at a business owned by a family of Middle East heritage was a hate crime. Last month, a hate message attacking the Prophet Muhammad and claiming "Muslims Worship Satan" was left near an Arizona mosque. In April, shots were fired into a Maryland mosque.
SEE: Feds Investigating Incident of Pig's Head in Mosque (AP)
SEE: Injury Fire Was Arson, Hate Crime Suspected (WCPO-TV)
Shah is urging Muslim individuals and institutions statewide to review security procedures. Organizations should access important advice contained in CAIR's "Muslim Community Safety Kit." Shah reiterated, "These hate crimes do not reflect Hoosier values. Indiana has been at the forefront of embracing the Muslim community and we hope that the evil actions of a few people will not reflect badly on the larger Hoosier family."
"Muslim Alliance of Indiana calls on all Hoosier Muslims to contribute funds for the repair of the mosque. The Indiana Muslim community will unite in the face of this heinous crime. We are one family and will reach out and assist the Michigan City Muslim community in every way possible," says Shah.
The Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) briefed Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels office about the recent vandalism of the Islamic Center in Michigan City. MAI called on the Governor's office to assist in any way that they can in insuring that Indiana be a safer place for faith-based institutions. MAI also requested the Governor's office to issue a statement against the vandalism.
MAI has called upon Muslims across the state to contribute to the Islamic Center of Michigan City to help them pay for the repairs to the damaged portion of the Islamic center. "This is a time when Muslim Hoosier's should come together and help a fellow Muslim community through a terrible tragedy," stated Alia Shah, Executive Director of MAI. "All faith communities are affected by attacks on faith and faith communities should come together in supporting each in times of need," state Dr Ibad Ansari, president of MAI.
Plainfield, IN-July 4, 2006: Muslim Community in Plainfield celebrated 4th of July in Hummel Park with outdoor barbeque, balloons, soccer and fun games. The party ended after the fireworks at 10:30 PM. It was a great outing and fun for the entire family. This will continue to be an enjoyable event for area Muslim Hoosiers.
Masjid Al-Taqwa, located on the south side of Indianapolis in Greenfield, Indiana, hosted its community picnic on Saturday, July 15th, 2006 onsite the masjid property. Said attendee, Alia Shah, "The picnic was wonderful - kids playing, sweet watermelon, grilled chicken and corn, and good conversation… can it get any better than that?"
The humidity and high temperatures notwithstanding, the event was a fun time for all.
Masjid Al-Fajr, located in Indianapolis at 2846 Cold Spring Road in Indianapolis, hosted its community picnic on Sunday, July 16th, 2006 at Northwestway Park located at 62nd and Moller Road. The event was well attended, even though the extreme heat did keep some indoors for the day. A large shelter provided some respite from the sun and the event proved to be a fun social event for those who braved the heat!
Muslim Alliance of Indiana has a busy schedule coming up! These are just some of the plans that are in the works:
Through a series of programs, MAI hopes to activate the Muslim community in Indiana to help make Indiana a more dynamic and vibrant state. The MAI Retreat seeks to determine 1, 3 and 5 year vision and activities for Muslims in Indiana.
The MAI Retreat will bring together key leaders from the Muslim community of Indiana to determine the direction for the community over the next 1, 3 and 5 years. These ideas will specifically impact MAI's activities.
Representatives from statewide leaders like the Governor and Secretary of State will be providing the community leaders information about the direction that they are adopting for the next few years. Furthermore, leaders from CAIR, MPAC and ISNA will share their view from the national stage.
The daylong retreat will take place in Indianapolis at University Place Conference Center.
Registration will be available online on our website: www.muslimalliancein.com
The 2nd Annual MAI Community Ramadan Iftaar will take place at Islamic Center in Plainfield, Indiana. Public representatives from Indianapolis and around the state will be invited to intermingle with and break fast with the Hoosier Muslim community. We will have Islamic leaders and civic leaders speaking at this event.
The 2nd Annual Iftaar hosted by Governor Mitch Daniels will once again be taking place this year! Last year's event was hosted at the Capitol Building in downtown and was successful at creating an environment where Muslim leaders and civic leaders could mingle, discuss new opportunities and break bread together.
Muslim Alliance of Indiana is working on assembling an Indiana Muslim Chamber of Commerce. The Muslim community is a great resource of business owners, business leaders and entrepreneurs. Hoosier Muslims bring revenue to the state of Indiana and work hard to make this vibrant community even more dynamic. We want to recognize their achievements, work on plans to increase successful business ventures, and encourage increased investment from Muslim business-owners from across the nation and the world.
In the coming weeks executive director, Alia Shah, will be traveling across Indiana and visiting Muslim communities and leaders. "I want to draw in all of these wonderful communities and create a strong network that will encourage even more cooperation and team-building. I want to meet with these communities and find out what their needs are, gather their suggestions on how Muslim Alliance of Indiana can be more helpful and get to know more active members and leaders," says Shah.
Upcoming city visits:
- Ft. Wayne
- Gary
- South Bend
- Evansville
- Muncie
- West Lafayette
- Merrillville
- Terre Haute
- Bloomington
- Valparaiso
- And many more!
INDIANAPOLIS-Applications are still available for the 17th class of the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series and can be obtained by contacting the following:
Sandi Huddleston, Executive Director
The Lugar Series
47 S. Meridian Street, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 964-5005
www.lugarseries.org
Applications must be received or postmarked no later than August 1, 2006, to be considered for the 2006-07 program that begins in October, 2006.
Founded in 1990 by Senator Lugar, business woman Judy Singleton and Indiana State Senator Teresa Lubbers, the Lugar Series has successfully trained and promoted Hoosier women leaders for key elected and appointed positions. A total of 272 Hoosier women have graduated from the program.
The program has been duplicated successfully in 18 other states and brings the total to over 1000 women that have been trained across the country.
Funds raised at an annual luncheon held each February in Indiana are available for scholarships to cover the application fee for program participants if needed.
Get voting ready by getting your registration in now! It's so easy - just go to the Secretary of State's website and download the PDF forms for voter registration. Print, sign and mail them to your local election office for which the address will be provided and you're ready to vote!
Remember, voting is the base from which you can make change and have a voice.
MUSLIM ALLIANCE OF INDIANA is dedicated to empower Muslims through social engagement and developing awareness of public issues among Muslims and connecting 280,000 Muslim Hoosiers with the leadership.
To learn more about past activities and accomplishments, please visit at www.muslimalliancein.com
To be involved with MAI mission, please contact muslimalliancein@yahoo.com
To strengthen and disseminate the vision, please forward this message to others in Indiana or send email list to muslimalliancein@yahoo.com
This is intended for Muslim Hoosiers and friends promoting peace and harmony, mutual respect and making Indiana strong. If you want to be off this list, please advise.
Thank you.
