2020 RAMADAN: SUPPORT NEEDED FOR CAIR-LA DURING COVID-19 CRISIS

Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and for the safety of our community, CAIR-LA canceled its Banquet fundraiser in March and all of its planned outreach efforts throughout Ramadan, leading to a great financial burden. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue to defend American-Muslims facing discrimination and oppression.

Help us to raise $25,000 to sustain CAIR-LA's legal services and youth programs to the half a million American Muslims we serve in our community. 

2019 Muslim Day at the Capitol (MDAC), a California statewide event organized by the CAIR-CA offices, bringing over 700 attendees to meet with their state legislators. 

CORONA-VIRUS CRISIS RESPONSE

CAIR-LA prioritizes the safety of the community during this viral outbreak. 

Here are the action steps we took to serve the community:

• We launched a campaign to raise funds to help produce and donate masks to vulnerable communities who are suffering a mask-shortage. So far we raised nearly $8,000 for this cause.

(AST Sportswear employee making masks that will be donated to communities with mask shortages)

• Our Civil Rights Department has been working with federal agencies to bring back Americans stranded abroad due to nations closing their borders. Khadija, an emergency medicine physician, was able to return home safely after she was stranded in Peru for nearly 2 weeks. CAIR-LA's Civil Rights department reached out to Khadija's Congressional representative to grant her a repatriation flight and she bravely returned to work.(Khadija, pictured 2nd from the left, returns home to work at a hospital)

• After a COVID-19 outbreak, Palestinians are suffering a shortage of medicine, food, and security due to Israel's brutal siege and illegal occupation of the region. We launched a campaign urging our community to send letters to their members of Congress to end the blockade against Palestine and reinstate desperately needed humanitarian aid. Hundreds responded and continue to call on their Congress-members to take action.

• Our Youth Development Department has moved its Muslim Game Changer's Network program online and continues to engage and train over 20 registrants on critical thinking, civic engagement, and becoming leaders for positive social change. 

(Zawar Jafri, our Youth Development Coordinator, leads the first online MGN meeting following safety precautions in California.)

• We have been regularly updating the community about this pandemic with the latest updates, including a travel guide and steps to take if you lose your job.​On April 3rd, we co-hosted a state-wide live conversation on Muslim Census Day and a nationwide 2020 Census webinar with Linda Sarsour and Masih Fouladi the next day. 
  

​HELP US CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY

Even though our staff is working from their homes, our work remains busy in serving the community. We need your help in overcoming our financial burden so we can continue providing our crucial services and advocating for justice. 

This Ramadan, consider giving $5,000, $2,500, $1,000, $500, $250, $100, $50, or whatever you can. Your donation is zakat-eligible. 

(2019 Muslim Youth Leadership Program, a 4-day intensive for young leaders, organized by all CAIR-CA chapters)

ABOUT CAIR-LA

The Council on American Islamic Relations, Greater Los Angeles Area (CAIR-LA) chapter has been serving 8 counties in Southern California since its opening in 1996. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.