(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 10/7/11) - The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today received the 2011 Mission & Excellence Anti-Racism Award from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) and MAP for Nonprofits. The annual "Mission & Excellence" awards are given to six non-profit organizations that make "outstanding contributions to Minnesota's high quality of life."
CAIR-MN received the award in the "Anti-Racism" category for working to "eliminate prejudice and racism in society; demonstrate[ing] a commitment to pluralism and inclusively; and develop[ing] unique and thought-provoking strategies to combat racism."
CAIR-MN: 2011 Anti-Racism Initiative Recipient
In the award acceptance speech, CAIR-MN President Lori Saroya said, "CAIR-MN functions on a basic premise: that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity." She cited examples of cases CAIR-MN has worked on in combating employment discrimination, school harassment, airport profiling, and other issues of racism and religious discrimination against Minnesota Somalis, Muslims and other minorities.
Saroya thanked CAIR-MN's staff, board and advisors. She also acknowledged the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits for the guidance the non-profit umbrella organization has provided to CAIR-MN since the civil rights advocacy organization opened its office in Minnesota in 2007.
A video of the organization's work was shown today at the MCN conference awards ceremony. CAIR-MN also received a glass engraved award and a cash award.
The 2,000 MCN member organizations and their staff vote on the winners from a field of finalists picked by the Nonprofit Mission Awards Selection Committee. This year, the other finalist in the anti-racism category was the Minnesota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU-MN).
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MN President Lori Saroya, 612-327-6700, E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; CAIR-MN Civil Rights Director Taneeza Islam, Esq., 612-367-6024, E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; CAIR-MN Civil Rights Coordinator Munazza Humayun, Esq., 763-227-7650, E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
