Muslim Council Event a Whose Who in MD Politics

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Over 1,000 Muslim attended the Maryland Muslim Council annual dinner on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Baltimore City. The event brought together Maryland’s most politically active community members and families with around 80 elected officials, including Governor Martin O’Malley, Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, and County Executives from Prince Georges, Howard, Baltimore, and Harford Counties.

The theme for the evening was “Empowering American Muslims to Build a Stronger America”.

Eight county Muslim councils operate under the umbrella of the Maryland Muslim Council.

After opening the program with recitation of the Qur’an, guests rose for the singing of the national anthem.

Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon welcomed the audience to Baltimore, saying she sees “respect for one another” to be a simple solution to many of the challenges faced in community building.

Despite the politically star-studded guest list, it was the youth who took their turns on stage introducing speakers who made the most memorable impressions of the evening.

Coming from area high schools and colleges, the youth spoke of their motivations for political involvement, and their love for America. Several speakers including Governor O’Malley remarked how impressed they were by the youth speakers. “[These youth] show such poise, confidence, and optimism .. I can almost feel them breathing down our necks,” he said, referring to all the elected officials sitting in the audience.

Part of the evening was dedicated to a panel discussion with area School Superintendents on issues faced by Muslim Community.

Each elected official spoke for a few minutes, appreciating the civic contributions of their Muslim constituents.

“My wife and I were very pleased to attend as we did last year. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the concerns and community efforts of the Muslims in Maryland, as well as to see longtime friends and meet leaders of the community. Many of my constituents are Muslim and I try to help them be full participants in civic life,” explained  James Rosapepe, the MD Senator from District 21 covering Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties.

“The seeds of Muslim engagement and image building that we cultivated eight years ago are coming to fruition,” said Anwer Hasan, who lives in Howard County. “Empowerment is our new approach,” he added.

He said two new councils – the Prince Georges County Muslim Council and the Harford County Muslim Council brought in “new talent” to the MD Muslim Council.

Announcing the goals for the coming years, Hasan outline for major areas: adding Muslim councils for Charles and Washington Counties, establishing youth leadership committees, adding Arabic as a second language to the public school curriculum, and transferring the MD Muslim County model experience to other states around the nation.

Asked how the MD Muslim Council managed to get about 80 elected officials to the event, Hasan said it was a “grass roots effort”.

“Maryland Muslim Council alhamdulilah has a strong reputation in the State of Maryland,” he said.

Governor O’Malley delivered the keynote address, running down a list of achievements in education and the economy, and thanking the Muslim community for their contribution, especially the Maryland Muslim Council under the leadership of Anwer Hasan.

Quoting from a Muslim scholar from the early days of Islam, O’Malley urged Maryland’s Muslims to keep up their efforts at inter-faith and civic involvement.

“Hasan A-Basri said the world is just three days. Yesterday has vanished. Tomorrow is not promised to you. Today is yours, so work for it. Today is ours,” he said to applause. The governor present the MD Muslim Council with a proclamation, received by Anwer Hasan.