The American Muslim Advisory Council (AMAC) has partnered with the Memphis Police Department (MPD) to host the first ever Memphis Muslim Safety Meeting for Business Owners. The summit will be held Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 9:00am to 12:30pm. The Safety Summit is an informative seminar for Muslim business owners to gather information pertinent to managing a safe environment in a era where hate crimes are increasing, anti-Muslim sentiments are being spread, violence is at an all time high and ignorance is running rampant. We want to empower our Muslim business owners to have resources, information and connections in order to keep themselves safe.
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On Tuesday, December 6, 2016, Nashville held a commemorative celebration of the International Human Rights Day. The Human Rights Day has become a day to reflect and look at lessons learned and battles won, while various human rights groups join forces and commit to creating an even better future. This year's, Rising Advocate Awards were given to three individuals who have made great strides for human rights and have shown even greater promise for the future. One of this year’s awardees is one of our own, Mohamed Shukri. Mohamed is a founder of the American Muslim Advisory Council, he also works with the Tennessee Immigrants and Refugee Rights Coalition, the American Center for Outreach and was on the first Mayor’s New Americans Advisory Council. The American Muslim Advisory Council is grateful to have Mohamed work throughout Tennessee promoting civic engagement, community building and media relations in order to protect all Tennesseans from prejudice and targeted violence. We thank Mohamed for his work and on behalf of the Muslim Community throughout the state of Tennessee we congratulate him for being awarded the 2016 Rising Advocate Award. On Thursday, November 17, 2016 The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee honored three young adults who represent the next generation of activists working toward social justice in their communities with the 2016 Benjamin S. Pressnell Bill of Rights Award. Amongst the individuals awarded was one of our own, Drost Kokoye, board member of the American muslim Advisory Council. Drost Kokoye, a first-year law student, is a vocal and passionate grassroots mobilizer across the state. She has organized and supported vigils, rallies and awareness programs around the issues of religious freedom, fair treatment of immigrants and refugees, racial justice and police accountability, voting rights and more. Drost’s leadership has broken social barriers and fostered greater understanding and interaction with Tennessee’s Muslim community. As a Board Member of AMAC Drost has worked diligently over the years to foster mutual trust and respect among all people through civic engagement, community building and media relations in order to protect all Tennesseans from prejudice and targeted violence. We thank Drost for her work and on behalf of the Muslim Community throughout the state of Tennessee we congradulate Drost Kokoye for being awarded the 2016 Benjamin S. Pressnell Bill of Rights Award. All over the state of Tennessee the American Muslim Advisory Council is hosting early vote drives.
In Nashville The American Muslim Advisory Council and The League of Women Voters has partnered to host three city-wide Early Vote Drives. On Friday, October 28, 2016 at 1:30 leaving from Salahadeen Center of Nashville @ 364 Elysian Fields Court, Nashville, TN 37211. On Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 11:00 am leaving from SomCafe & Deli @ 1040 Murfreesboro Rd, Nashville, TN 37317. In Memphis the American Muslim Advisory Council will host it's second early vote drive on Friday, October 28, 2016 from 2:30 - 5:45pm @ Masjid As-Salam, 1065 Stratford Rd, Memphis, TN 38111 We are asking all eligible Muslim voters to come out and join us as we go to the polls to vote early for the general election. We will met up at a perspective location and take the group of Muslims to the polls to vote. We want to show the unity in the Muslim community as we engage in our civic responsibility. Tell every eligible brother and sister you know to join us as we make a difference in the city of Memphis. On Oct. 11th, 2016 The Metro Nashville School Board unanimously passed a resolution condemning violence and hate speech against Muslims and Muslim students.
Below is the text of the resolution: A resolution condemning violence and hate speech against Muslims and Muslim students WHEREAS, the United States was founded by immigrants, who enshrined freedom of religion as one of our nation’s fundamental legal and ethical principles; and WHEREAS, there are more than 3 million Muslims living in the United States today, and an estimated 30,000 Muslims living in Nashville and Davidson County, contributing to our economy, our social and political life, and our culture; and WHEREAS, Arab and Muslim Americans, and those perceived as Muslims, are frequently the targets of abusive and discriminatory practices; and WHEREAS, the recent escalation of hateful rhetoric against Muslims, immigrants, and people of color is especially harmful to children, as it has a negative impact on their psychological well-being, the health of their peer relationships, and their ability to thrive in school; and WHEREAS, Muslim students across the country have reported instances of discrimination based on their religion and/or race; and WHEREAS, there are an estimated 2,000 Muslim students in Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) who contribute to the vitality of the learning environment, and whose families form an integral part of their school communities; and WHEREAS, providing a safe school environment that ensures both the physical and emotional safety of students creates the conditions necessary to foster academic achievement; and WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of our schools to educate students about the social, cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States, Tennessee, and Nashville. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Metro Nashville Board of Public Education: (1) Condemns hate speech and violence directed at Muslims, immigrants and people of color; (2) Commits to fostering a school environment that promotes respect for and curiosity about all religions and cultures, and rejects all forms of discrimination; (3) Asks the director of schools to ensure an educational curriculum that reflects the values expressed in this resolution via professional development of faculty and staff, the inclusion of diverse resources to supplement in-class curricula, and the creation of safe spaces for students to address issues of discrimination. --- AMAC sends our gratitude to: The Entire Metro Nashville School Board District 7 Rep. Will Pinkston (Resolution Sponsor) & The Young Elected Officials Network (Memphis, TN) On Wednesday, September 28, 2016 the American Muslim Advisory Council gathered together Muslim leaders from around the city of Memphis with recently appointed Police Chief Micheal Rallings to build a working relationship between the Muslim community and the Memphis Police Department. The much needed conversation brought about clarity and understanding to the Chief of Police as to the concerns and needs of Muslims residing in Memphis. Building healthy relationships along with proper education on the misconceptions of Muslims as well as police officers seems to be key when strengthening the bond between Muslims and law enforcement. As a result, we must continue with open dialog and implement the different programs we would like to see come out of the meeting.
"Faith based communities drives the bus for change in Memphis," said Memphis Police Chief Micheal Rallings. The Muslim community has to take up the responsibility to be agents of change for Memphis impacting not only our city that we love but the country in which we love as well. Effective September 1, 2016, the American Muslim Advisory Council has appointed a new chair. We are honored to announce Nadeem Siddiqi of Knoxville, TN as our new chair. “I am eager to work alongside the Muslim community of Tennessee and serve as the chair of AMAC. As we continue to grow as an organization, we ask that you continue to grow with us.” ~Nadeem Siddiqi September 18-25, 2016 is known as a week of taking action against violence around the U.S. and worldwide. During this week Muslims throughout Tennessee band together with different organizations to take a stand against violence. Starting the week off on Sunday, September 18, 2016 Kalimah Azeez Rashada Memphis Program Manager for the American Muslim Advisory Council spoke at Campaign Nonviolence interfaith vigil at the National Civil Rights Museum. "Like all other major religions in the world, Al-Islam shares the vision of a nonviolent city where we all live in peace," said Kalimah Azeez Rashada Memphis Program Manager for the American Muslim Advisory Council On Saturday, September 25, 2016 Muslims in Nashville, TN joined in the 2016 Walk Against Crime closing out the week of nonviolence. On Wednesday, September 14, 2016 Davidson County Sheriff's Dept worked hand in hand with the American Muslim Advisory Council to provide cultural awareness training on Muslim communities, cultural diversity and issues relating to securing inmates and religious accommodation. The American Muslim Advisory Council works tirelessly to bridge between the Tennessee Muslim community and federal, state, and local law enforcement as well as other government and private agencies. "It is an honor to work with a diverse group of citizens who dedicates their lives to protect and serve Tennesseans," said Kalimah Azeez Rashada Memphis Program Manager of the American Muslim Advisory Council. Thank you Davidson County Sheriff's Dept., today's Islam, Nashville Muslims & Correctional Officer's training session was an outstanding success! Your leadership, commitment excellence, community relations and diversity make Middle Tennessee proud! |
AMACThe American Muslim Advisory Council serves as a bridge between the Tennessee Muslim community and federal, state, and local law enforcement as well as other government and private agencies. Our mission at AMAC is to foster mutual trust and protect all Tennesseans against prejudice, terrorism and other criminal acts through education, communication and empowerment. ArchivesCategories |