Media Advisory: Local Muslims to Give Reaction to President’s Cairo Speech
(CHICAGO, IL, 6/03/09) - On Thursday, June 4, members of the Council on American-Islamic Relations – Chicago Chapter will be available for comment and media interviews to offer a local Muslim reaction to President Obama’s live address from Cairo, Egypt. The exact time of the live address has yet to be announced by the White House, but is believed to be approximately between 5am-6am, Central Time (Cairo is eight hours ahead of Chicago)
“With this trip, the Obama administration is making a statement that the United States is interested in exploring a new type of relationship with the Muslim world,” said Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, who was born in Cairo.
“My hope is that this means going beyond conflict resolution and counter terrorism initiatives and into the daily challenges and aspirations of citizens in that part of the world, issues that often have nothing to do with terrorism and everything to do with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
WHAT: Local Muslim Reaction and Commentary on Obama’s Address WHEN: Thursday, June 4, after 9am WHEN: CAIR-Chicago Office, 28 E Jackson Ave, Suite 1700, IL 60604
Last week, CAIR released an open letter in English and Arabic to President Obama and to the Muslim world offering specific policy recommendations for the president’s address in Cairo.
SEE: U.S. Muslims Seek Policy Initiatives in President’s Cairo Address http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?ArticleID=25952&&name=n&&currPage=1
CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director, CAIR-Chicago, E-Mail: arehab@cair.com, c: 202.870.0016 ; 312.212.1520; or Amina Sharif, Communications Coordinator, CAIR-Chicago, E-Mail: asharif@cair.com, c: 630.935.5562; 312.212.1520.
- END – CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.