(SANTA CLARA, CA, 8/22/23) – The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the city of Santa Clara’s recognition of August 2023 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.
For the eighth year in a row, California has designated August as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month. The city of Santa Clara will commemorate this designation with a proclamation at this evening’s city council meeting. The ceremony will take place during the first few minutes of the meeting.
Date: August 22, 2023
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: 1500 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara
Agenda: Santa Clara City Council Meeting
SEE: California Legislature House Resolution 52
In its proclamation, the city celebrated the contributions of the more than 60,000 Muslims that live in Santa Clara County, specifically praising the:
- Muslim Community Association (MCA) for its school, counseling, senior, and community wellness programs.
- Muslim American Society Bay Area Chapter for its community, interfaith, youth, and civic engagement services.
- CAIR-SFBA for its legal clinics, anti-hate training, social justice webinars, and candidate forums.
- Support Life Foundation for its partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank and MCA to help feed at-risk communities.
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo said:
“CAIR-SFBA deeply appreciates the continued recognition of the diverse and invaluable achievements of American Muslims, whose dedication and contributions continue to shape the city of Santa Clara, California, and the nation. This proclamation helps to highlight our shared values and humanity and is a welcome acknowledgment.”
Samer Darwish, President of the MCA, added:
“American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month embodies the spirit of inclusion and dialogue and underscores the remarkable impact that diverse cultures and beliefs have on our local community, state, and nation. By promoting understanding and awareness, we pave the way for a future built on unity, cooperation, empathy, and mutual respect. The Muslim community sincerely appreciates the recognition given this month by Santa Clara and the state.”
CAIR-SFBA is an office of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: Lorrie Adam, Senior Communications Coordinator, 408.498.5779, ladam@cair.com