Pictures with mayor Landick at the Mosque Foundation

 

The Council of Arab Religious Leaders of Chicago's First Anniversary Celebration

 
After formally announcing their formation in January 2007, the Council of Arab Religious Leaders of Chicago (ARC) held their first anniversary celebration on Wednesday, June 20th, at Niko's Restaurant in Bridgeview.  Over 300 Arab American Muslim and Christian community leaders and members were in attendance for the dinner, speeches, and fellowship.  "We need each other.  We need to stand together and hold hands so we can speak with one voice.  We're all Arabs here, whether Muslim or Christian," said Fr. Musa Haddad of the Church of the Virgin Mary.  "Lakum deenukum is something beautiful.  It means I don't have to change my religion and you don't have to change your religion for us to have a relationship with each other," stated Sh. Jamal Said of the Mosque Foundation.  These sentiments were echoed throughout the evening as the audience listened reflectively to the emotionally charged speeches of ARC leaders, such as Fr. Nicholas Dahdal of St. George Orthodox Church recalling the help his family gave to a young Muslim girl in need when he was growing up.  
 
The Council of Arab Religious Leaders of Chicagoland was formed to nurture relationships and solidarity among Arab-Americans in the Chicago area and to promote their rich heritage fairly and accurately.  ARC is chaired by Sh. Jamal Said of the Mosque Foundation and Fr. Nicholas Dahdal of St. George Orthodox Church, and its members include religious leaders from local mosques, churches, and Arab organizations.