(SEATTLE, WA, 1/31/19) — On Monday, February 4, Muslim community members and leaders will meet with state lawmakers in Olympia as part of “Washington Muslim Day at the Capitol” (MDAC) organized by the Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA).
Participants, drawn from all over the state, will meet with lawmakers to request consideration of bills that will impact their communities and the state. Priority issues for the coalition include a religious accommodation bill focused on the rights of religious students in our state, a bill that would increase oversight on facial recognition technology and the “Keep Washington Working Act,” which would strengthen career pathways for immigrants and limit the state’s ability federal registry policies.
WHAT: Washington Muslim Day at the Capitol
WHEN/WHERE : Monday, February 4, 9:30-10:15, Orientation Breakfast and training at The United Churches of Olympia, 110 Eleventh Ave SE Olympia, WA 98501.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES: Ride with MDAC participants on bus to Olympia from Seattle, attend breakfast orientation in Olympia, attend lunch with participants and Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib, attend meeting between MDAC participants and Sen. Bob Hasegawa
MEDIA CONTACT: To coordinate media coverage, please contact CAIR-WA Media & Outreach Director Sarah Stuteville, sstuteville@cair.com 206-403-3931
“Religious accommodations for students are important to me personally. I remember taking exams while fasting for Ramadan and struggling to find private places to pray while in school,” said Masih Fouladi, executive director of CAIR-WA, “Thanks to the hard work of students, interfaith leaders and Senator Bob Hasegawa, we hope to see a bill pass that would allow religious students to practice their faith comfortably and proudly while also prioritizing their studies.”
Fouladi added: “At the midterms we saw a wave of political engagement and enthusiasm from the Muslim community here in Washington state and CAIR-WA is thrilled to help bring some of that enthusiasm to this legislative session. Our region is home to one of the fastest growing Muslim populations and it’s crucial that local lawmakers see us as vocal and engaged constituents.”
In addition to meeting with lawmakers, attendees of MDAC 2019 will attend a breakfast orientation and a lunch with Lt Gov. Cyrus Habib.
“I am inspired by the diverse group of individuals elected to office this fall,” said McKenna Lux, CAIR-WA Advocacy Coordinator, “Muslim Day at the Capitol will be a chance to elevate Muslim voices and help ensure that our state representatives are accountable to all of their constituents.”
CAIR-WA’s Muslim Capitol Day is just one of CAIR’s civic engagement efforts for 2019.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
MEDIA CONTACT: CAIR-WA Media & Outreach Director Sarah Stuteville, sstuteville@cair.com , 206-403-3931