— Muslim Alliance of Indiana

On April 28^th, 2014, MAI hosted CIMO for the first meeting of this year. Representatives from Masjid Al-Mumineen, Share Inc., Al-Ilm Sunday School, Islamic School of Plainfield, Iqra Center of Indianapolis, Butler MSA, Islamic Center of Terre Haute, Islamic Society of Columbus and the University of Indianapolis MSA were in attendance.

The morning started with a breakfast and brief introduction of those present. Honorary Chairs, Judge David Shaheed and Dr. Rami Saltagi shared the importance of CIMO and reminded the group that all influential initiatives have started with a small group of dedicated individuals.

Carey Craig, Secretary of CIMO lead the first presentation, providing the room with a brief overview of programs that benefitted CIMO members to date. Among those mentioned was Muslim Day at the State House, an initiative aimed at connecting Islamic leadership to local government officials. The initiative was open to a small delegation of individuals, specifically 22 men and woman, who sat with government officials and discussed local matters of community concern. Next, Waseema Ali, Chief of Staff of the MAI, lead the next discussion providing an overview of MAI programs relevant to CIMO and recommended a method of communication between the two bodies. She urged the group to see CIMO has a grassroots movement.

Perhaps, the most important part of the evening was when the President of the MAI, Azher Khan, shared a quote by John Maxwell. He said, “Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” On that note the Mr. Khan applauded each CIMO entity for their leadership and influence within the Muslim Community and urged a member to take lead of CIMO. He shared that the benefits of working together, working as a collective team, addressing disparities within communities, all reap countless benefits; however, someone needs to direct, organize, and galvanize CIMO communications. He suggested that this individual be deemed the Council President, a person who can remind the council of its purpose and mission, facilitate cooperation and consensus, and organize in a manner that effectively communicates the needs of the community with the appropriate change agents that can address those needs.

Alhumdulillah, the evening closed with a few individuals showing their interest and requesting more information about the position.

InshaAllah more will come out of CIMO in the near future. Stay tuned for more CIMO updates.

Are you an Islamic school, organization or place of worship? Write to Carey@indianamuslims.org to become a CIMO member.

CIMO as an entity that serves as the voice of different Muslim communities, an entity that creates solutions for disparities, and an entity that can make a larger difference in the entire Hoosier community by way of collective cooperation. MAI is the executive arm of CIMO when need be, in order to create programming that responds to the needs of the Muslim Community.

For immediate release INDIANAPOLIS- The board of direc­tors of the Mus­lim Alliance of Indi­ana (MAI) released the fol­low­ing state­ment regard­ing the kidnapping of 223 schoolgirls from the Chibok Government Girls Secondary School. 

“The MAI is disturbed and deeply saddened by the kidnapping of the young schoolgirls in Nigeria. We condemn all forms of intolerance and terrorism. Our prayers go out to the schoolgirls and their families for their safe return and for a cessation of intolerance and terrorism throughout the world.” 

For Immediate Release: INDIANAPOLIS – The board of directors of the Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) released the following statement regarding Sunday’s shooting rampages at the Jewish Community Center and the Village Shalom retirement home in Overland Park, Kansas.

 “On behalf of Muslim Hoosiers, the Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) condemns the horrific murders of the individuals at the Jewish Community Center and the Village Shalom Retirement home in Overland Park, Kansas.  This was an act of aggression and prejudice.

Our prayers are with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Kansas as well as those here in Indiana and across our nation.  Their grief is also our grief.  

Together, Americans of goodwill will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder for the cause of peace and tolerance.  The time has long passed to cease these senseless acts of hatred.”

April, 14th, 2014

MAI is excited to partner with MPAC to bring the “I Am Change” workshop to Indiana on May 17th and May 18th at IUPUI. By partnering with MPAC, we are one step closer to empowering our community to make that change. I AM CHANGE offers a unique program to empower Muslim Americans all around the country to stand up and advocate for the issues we all care about, and strengthen your ability to do it effectively.

The ‘I am Change’ workshop is about bringing the power of advocacy to our community.  The workshop is a half a day workshop and will teach three critical skills; (1) the in’s and out’s of how government works at all levels, (2) how to talk about the issues you care about with public officials and the media, and (3) how to promote civil engagement from an Islamic perspective with community members.

 The last Prophet of God (pbuh) said, “God will not change the condition of a people until they change themselves…” Let’s better equip ourselves to advocate that change.

Register NOW! Click HERE

Younger than 17? Click HERE for the YOUTH EDITION.

On the morning of February 8th, dozens of college students from IUPUI and Butler University volunteered at the Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. With below freezing temperatures and messy roads, it was quite a spectacle seeing the masses of students going to volunteer – not to mention it was at 9 am. Student volunteers united under the Muslim Student Association for the regular Gleaner’s Food Bank volunteer work. Gleaners is a large non-profit organization that serves daily meals to thousands of hungry men, women and children each year in central Indiana. The IUPUI and Butler Muslim Student Association joined forces to bring as many people as possible to volunteer for such a great and humble cause. “It’s eye opening to think that without Gleaner’s, many families and individuals wouldn’t have access to food” said Kareem Omara, an engineering sophomore at IUPUI. “I love what we [the MSA] are doing here.” Many other students like Kareem spent hours separating thousands of nonperishables between good, undamaged food and expired, damaged food donated by large corporations such as Walmart and Marsh. After four hours of hard, diligent work, the volunteers completed hundreds of boxes of food donations that will be fed to the impoverished and destitute of central Indianapolis.  

May God Almighty reward all those who devoted their time to help the needy.