Christina Abraham, CAIR-Chicago's Civil Rights Coordinator, presents on the religious rights of inmates and detainees.
Christina Abraham is among 3 speakers besides Belbachir's family to present to the crowd on September 17th.
About 50 people attend the vigil, held at MCC on Saturday, September 17, 2005.
Ms. Claudia Valenzuela, attorney with the Midwest Immigrant and Human Rights Center, spoke about prison abuse and detentions of Muslims, racial and ethnic minorities and women in a post-September 11th climate. Most of Valenzuela's clients are people with cases relating to the Department of Homeland Security.
Abdul Malik Mujahid, Council's Chairman, links the historic struggle for racial/ethnic/religious equality in American society, with the Belbachir family's struggle to learn the truth of what happened to their sister, as well as the general struggle against abuse in the American detention system.
Rachid Belbachir, board member at MCC and the President of MANA (Maghreb Association of North America - for the North African community), thanks everyone for attending the event. Rachid Belbachir is also a cousin of Hassiba's, and a co-chair of the Council's Belbachir Committee.
Mrs. Zahia Belbachir is Hassiba's older sister who lives in Montreal. Zahia flew in for the vigil.
Mrs. Zahia Belbachir and her translator, Ms. Dalila Benameur. Zahia gave a moving tribute to her sister.
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