20th Anniversary Gala Recap, Thank you for attending!
On behalf of the CAIR-Chicago chairman, board, and staff, we extend our deep gratitude and appreciation to all of our guests, sponsors, volunteers, speakers, community members, family, friends, and allies for making our 21st Annual Banquet, which marked the completion of 20 years of service to Chicago, an inspirational and successful night.
See below for a detailed report.
Thank you for helping us meet our goal!
PHOTO GALLERY
Can you spot yourself in our photo gallery? Photos are courtesy of the talented photographers Jordan-Esparza-Kelley, Aya Mustafa, and Syed Khalil!
ATTENDANCE: SOLD OUT
A full house of 1,000 registrants representing the diversity in Chicagoland and the tri-state area, in terms of ethnicity, age, gender, religion, and profession, as well as allies and partners from other communities!
SECURITY
A special thanks to the incredible security team- A-Alert Security & Investigations (AASI) for donating their expertise.
Photo from 2019 - five years of partnership
SPONSORS: 30+
We are also thankful for the tremendous support of our key partners from the Chicagoland mosques, coalitions, interfaith groups, companies, law firms, and official sponsors.
FUNDRAISING
Thank you to all of our generous donors who made our fundraising a success. Your generosity and initiative helped us meet our evening's goal: we raised $675,000 which is 50% of our projected budget.
Operations Manager, Maggie Slavin put it this way: “There is only one organization that provides pro-bono professional legal and media representation to our Muslim community at large, our community gets that and shows up big.”
CAIR-Chicago is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are 100% tax-deductible & Zakat eligible
SPEAKERS & HIGHLIGHTS
Faiyaz Hussain, Esq. delivered a powerful message on the urgent need to confront the injustices faced by our community. "It takes hope, which CAIR-Chicago gives us, and it takes action, which CAIR-Chicago gives us." He emphasized that bully pulpits like Canary Mission must be challenged and commended CAIR-Chicago for being the first to do so. He highlighted the discrimination that leads to job losses for those who stand in solidarity with Palestine and called for equal rights for all citizens. Faiyaz's unwavering commitment to justice and the defense of our rights not only embodies the vital work of CAIR-Chicago, but also that of its donors/supporters. Watch Below:
CAIR-Chicago's Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab, highlights:
"We don’t just want this organization; we need this organization."
"This is not a work of luxury; this is a work of necessity."
"Every single day we need an entrenched institution that has built up its processes...to do the work when we can and even when we can't."
"With your support and the growth of our natural community, we are in a place today where we can fight back."
"If you want God’s help, you definitely raise your hands and supplicate... but also the same God who said 'ask me' said ask me in two ways: in your words via the piety of your heart, and in your work!"
"Every day when we go out there to push against injustice, we are making a Dua through our work."
"We talk about the three C's: moral courage, clarity, and consistency."
The problem with Zionism is its appropriation of white supremacist and colonial polemics against native Palestinians.
"If it is our side that has power and is abusing it to hurt other people, I'll stand with the victims."
"We are getting ready for a new phase where we hunt the hunters; we come after the offenders, meet them at their gate, not ours."
"God has a plan; we have to perk up our ears, brains, eyes, tongues, and hearts to God in what we do."
"We work to succeed in the tough tests of life through Sabr, which is not just patience, it is persistence... Sabr is an active not passive state."
"Even if it seems we lose in the dunya, but we have succeeded in the test of Ihsan and Sabr, we have won." Watch Below:
Keynote Linda Sarsour delivered a powerful message at the event, highlighting the vital role of CAIR-Chicago in the Muslim American community. "I'm tired, but I believe in Ahmed Rehab. I believe in CAIR-Chicago, I believe in you," she stated, recognizing the organization's significant impact in the state. “You’ve made a lot of history, and we need you on the course.” Sarsour emphasized the importance of community strength, declaring, “I always tell people I know the strength of a community by the power and influence of their CAIR chapter. This is all you got.” She challenged the audience to reflect on their support for civil liberties, urging, “When you get discriminated against, when you get stopped at the airport, trust me when I tell you you're calling CAIR. So why not pay it forward? Why do we have to wait till we feel the pain of others before we support an organization?” Linda's heartfelt and unapologetic speech about the state of national affairs and the way forward brought the house down. Watch Below:
Shaikh Hassan Ali Kasi opened with a riveting Qur'an recitation.
Calm live music was provided during the reception by CAIR-Chicago Special Operations Coordinator, Hafiz, Mohamed Radwan.
Motivational Speaker Shahir Raslan, mixed humor with serious introspection to inspire and mobilize the crowd into supporting CAIR-Chicago. Linda Sarsour joined him in that effort for maximum effect.
Dr. Mazen Kudaimi, CAIR-Chicago's Chairman, provided valuable insights into the organization's mission and values, offering closing remarks.
Our gala was emceed by CAIR-Chicago's Operations Manager, Maggie Slavin and Wesam Shahed, Esq. who set the tone for the evening.
RECOGNITION: 50+
We wish to thank the 50+ public officials from various levels of government for their letters of support of CAIR-Chicago's mission and work, and call on them to raise their voices against hate at home, and genocide abroad.
Special thanks to IL Rep. Delia Ramirez who led the passage of "The Wadee Resolution" honoring Wadee Alfayoumi, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy murdered in a hate crime.
Above: Text of Proclamation sent by IL Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, handed to CAIR-Chicago on state by Assistant Secretary Hanna Jubeh.
VOLUNTEERS: 50+
This year's banquet was presided over by 50+ staff and volunteers who were hard to miss all decked out in their blue scarves and black uniforms! Between registration, photography, and ushering, our program could not have been as successful without their hard work. We wish to thank the amazing volunteers who worked incredibly hard to present the community with an evening befitting of its stature!
OUR 2024 DOCUMENTARY
CAIR-Chicago's short film - our 20th in as many years - highlighted the commitment of CAIR-Chicago’s staff, interns, and volunteers to provide critical legal help, media representation, and advocacy services to communities that lack them but need them most.
The film was produced by the CAIR-Chicago Communications Department and edited by Nilüfer Kaya
Watch a special video sent to CAIR-Chicago Gala from Gaza. Support Kareem and his family here.
OUR ANNUAL REPORT
CAIR-Chicago has been at the forefront of positive representation and principled advocacy. In our twenty years of service, CAIR-Chicago has handled 7,423 civil rights cases of anti-Muslim discrimination, negotiated $2.3 million in settlements directly for clients in discrimination cases, conducted 3, 650 mainstream media interviews receiving over 24,100 mentions, & graduated over 1,038 interns. Take a look at our work throughout the years in our annual reports.
MISSED THE BANQUET?
WATCH IT HERE!
If you missed our annual banquet, you can watch the speeches - which were livestreamed - here.
We hope to see you next year!