[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 121 (Friday, August 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS' EIGHTH 
             ANNUAL SHARING RAMADAN INTERFAITH IFTAR DINNER

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 5, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Eighth 
Annual Sharing Ramadan Interfaith Iftar Dinner hosted by the Council on 
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Ohio's Cleveland Chapter. This event 
creates good will and understanding among members of the Muslim and 
interfaith communities while providing a traditional Middle Eastern 
dinner.
  During Ramadan, Muslims fast each day from dawn to sunset. Iftar is 
the meal eaten after sunset to break the fast. This event allows 
members of the Muslim and interfaith communities of Cleveland to share 
in the Ramadan tradition of Iftar together.
  By sharing Ramadan with the community, the Cleveland Chapter of CAIR-
Ohio believes it can allay stereotypes about Islam, build friendships 
among members of the Muslim and interfaith communities, and prevent the 
spread of Islamophobia.
  The keynote speaker at this event will be Muneer O. Awad, who is 
Executive Director of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Council on American-
Islamic Relations. After just two short weeks on the job, Mr. Awad made 
great strides in the fight for civil rights for Muslims when he filed a 
federal lawsuit to stop Oklahoma from amending its Constitution to ban 
consideration of Islamic principles in court. He is also a recipient of 
the 2011 Tulsa Metropolitan Ministries Russell Bennett recognition, 
which is awarded to people who demonstrate courage in social justice 
leadership in Oklahoma.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I invite you to join me in recognition of 
CAIR's eighth annual Sharing Ramadan Interfaith Iftar Dinner, which 
brings together people of diverse backgrounds for a night of 
celebration, friendship, and mutual understanding.

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