WHAT: Press conference hosted by CAIR Austin and Austin City Council members Zohaib Qadri, Mike Siegel, and Jose “Chito” Vela. The speakers will raise concerns about safety issues impacting the North Lamar Boulevard corridor, announce immediate action, and urge the long-delayed comprehensive project to improve safety and equity in the area.
WHY: Several tragic incidents have occurred including the death of a prominent Austin figure, Imam Islam Mossaad, last week in a car-pedestrian accident. North Lamar BLVD lacks adequate lighting, consistent sidewalks, standardized infrastructure, and pedestrians’ safe crossings.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 6, 2025,10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Austin City Hall – Media Room, 301 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
CONTACT: Shaimaa Zayan, szayan@cair.com, 512-785-7105
Joint Statement of the Council Members:
“Our hearts are with Austin’s Muslim community as we grieve the loss of Imam Islam Mossaad, a longtime leader in the North Austin Muslim Community Center and a friend and mentor to countless members of our community. We lost Mr. Mossaad due to a tragic traffic accident on North Lamar Boulevard near the NAMCC mosque. We are ready to do everything we can to prevent future casualties such as this one. North Lamar may be a major thoroughfare, but it is not just a road for cars. It is a corridor that connects communities to their homes, schools, businesses, places of worship, and parks. It’s time to implement solutions with people in mind. Not just for movement along Lamar, but for safe passage across it.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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