[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 108 (Monday, June 29, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF ISLAMIC RESOURCE GROUP

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                            HON. ILHAN OMAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 29, 2026

  Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Islamic Resource 
Group on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.
  Islamic Resource Group (IRG) was founded on June 19, 2001, as a 
nonprofit educational outreach organization committed to building 
bridges of understanding between Minnesota Muslims and the broader 
Minnesota community. For 25 years, Islamic Resource Group has served 
Minnesota through educational resources, community dialogue, mosque 
visits, professional development, interfaith engagement, public 
programs, and media outreach that promote religious literacy, mutual 
understanding, and respect.
  Since its founding, Islamic Resource Group has delivered over 8,000 
educational presentations to over half a million Minnesotans in face-
to-face settings. Its work has reached schools, businesses, government 
agencies, houses of worship, and community organizations across 
Minnesota and beyond. IRG has worked closely with educators and school 
districts, including through a long-standing presence at the Education 
Minnesota Professional Conference since 2002. Its interfaith 
initiatives have connected hundreds of faith communities with Minnesota 
Muslims and strengthened relationships among neighbors of many 
religious and cultural backgrounds. I am deeply grateful for the 
crucial work IRG has done to combat rising Islamophobia and build 
interfaith communities.
  IRG's Minnesota Muslim Experience Project and Tracks in the Snow 
Exhibit have helped tell the stories of Minnesota Muslims and expand 
public understanding of a community that has long contributed to the 
life and history of this great state. Through its annual Building 
Bridges Awards, IRG has honored Minnesotans whose work advances 
understanding, justice, service, and relationship building across 
communities.
  As Islamic Resource Group marks 25 years of service, I would like to 
recognize its important contribution to religious literacy, interfaith 
understanding, public education, and civic life in Minnesota. Please 
join me in congratulating Islamic Resource Group, its leaders, staff, 
volunteers, speakers, partners, and supporters on this milestone 
anniversary, and in thanking them for their continued work building 
bridges of understanding across Minnesota.

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