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The 2021 legislative session is wrapping up its 6th week, with a number of committees rushing to schedule the hearings of their assigned bills before the session’s midpoint. Deadline for bills to receive its 3rd reading is the 2/22 in the House chamber and the 2/23 in the Senate chamber. Bills that don’t receive their 3rd reading are considered dead for this session. The majority of the bills that IMAN Associates were monitoring didn’t get a hearing and most likely they are dead for this session. HB1185: Anti-bullying bill (Porter) didn’t receive its 2nd hearing in the House Committee on Education. Rep. Greg Porter, a champion for anti-bullying legislation, “filed an amendment to add language to HB1005 (Behning) requiring charter and voucher schools to adopt anti-bullying practices. The amendment was voted down in committee.” We plan to work closely with Rep. Porter and provide needed support to bring this bill back in 2022. However, we identified two bills that can negatively impact Indiana Muslims, communities of color and Hoosiers at large if passed. SB311: Use of Force (Baldwin) gives police officers full discretion in using deadly force. The bill prevents city and county officials, even the officer's own police department, from enforcing protocol or standards on the use of deadly force. SB353: Various Election Law Matters (Houchin) requires a proof of citizenship when registering to vote. We oppose this bill since it leads to voter suppression, and disenfranchisement of communities of color, immigrants and refugees. The cost associated with obtaining a birth certificate or a proof of citizenship will place a barrier for low income voters to exercise their civic duty. It also impedes our grassroots organizing, especially when we hold voter registration drives in mosques and community centers.  We need your help! Contact committee chairs and let them know you oppose those bills. SB311: Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law Chair: Sen. Michael Young Copy and paste the following text and send it to Sen. Young’s legislative Assistant at Madalynn.Conner@iga.in.gov. Give him a call at 317-232-9517 and urge him to vote NO on SB311. Dear Senator Michael Young, In the wake of the police brutality that our nation witnessed recently, I am appalled to see a bill like SB311 proposed in the Indiana General Assembly. The bill gives police officers full discretion in using deadly force. It allows police officers to use deadly force whenever the officer felt it justified and no individual or agency could tell the officer otherwise. Communities of color, who are consistently the victims of racial profiling, will suffer the most if this bill passes. Also, the bill strips away the process of checks and balances, which is central to our democracy. Every official or branch of government is kept in check by another. However, SB311 removes any checks from an officer's use of deadly force and therefore puts our legal system out of balance. Local officials and police departments should be able to create protocol on the use of deadly force. To prevent them from doing so is a danger to the public. I urge you to vote NO on SB311. Sincerely, <Your Name> <Your Address> SB353: Senate Committee on Elections Chair: Sen. Jon Ford Copy and paste the following text and email it to Sen. Jon Ford at Senator.Ford@iga.in.gov. Give him a call at 317-232-9400 and let him know you oppose SB353. Dear Senator Jon Ford, I’m deeply concerned about SB353 and the unnecessary barriers it creates. The cost associated with obtaining a birth certificate or a proof of citizenship will hinder many low-income voters from exercising their civic duty. It can lead to the disenfranchisement of communities of color and the elderly. When Indiana consistently ranks in the bottom ten in voting, I expect the Indiana General Assembly to enact laws that increase voter turnout and not further suppress it. I join other Hoosiers in their opposition to SB 353. I urge you to vote NO on this bill. Sincerely, <Your name> <Your address> The Hendricks County Commissioners rejected the rezoning of Clermont VillageIn an unexpected move, the Hendricks County Commissioners rejected the recommendations of the Hendricks County Area Plan Commission to rezone Clermont Village in the 2/9/2021 public hearing. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to deny the application, citing environmental concerns.
The Commissioners’ decision was shocking to Elizabeth Link, the owner’s developer, especially after spending the last few months working hard to address the commissioners’ outstanding concerns. Matt Callahan, Muslim Advocates senior staff attorney who has been providing guidance and support to Alhussnain Seminary leadership, condemned the decision and warned Hendricks County of an “expensive and unnecessary religious discrimination lawsuit.” Local media, including Indystar and WRTV, covered this story.
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Mosque faces Opposition Masjid E Noor, located on 5355 Lafayette Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46254, is looking for a new home for its seminary, Alhussnain, in Clermont Village, Brownsburg, IN. The proposed project will offer a safe, walkable community where all people can live, work, worship and study freely. Given that a very anti-Muslim petition has sprung up to oppose the project, IMAN Associates has joined forces with Muslim Advocates to ensure that Muslim Hoosiers receive a fair and impartial evaluation of their application. The weekend prior to the public hearing, IMAN Associates sent a blast text to Hendricks County residents to garner their support. We also reached out to Brownsburg residents on social media and rallied them behind the cause. Our efforts have resulted in over 700 letters in support to be sent to the Hendricks County Board of Zoning Appeals. Furthermore, we lined up faith leaders and members to testify at the hearing. Both letters and testimonies echoes welcoming sentiments from Brownsburg residents who believed that Clermont Village will enrich Brownsburg’s religious diversity and build its tax base. The Hendricks County Area Plan Commission voted to recommend the rezoning application be approved with a 4-3 vote sending the proposal to the county commissioners. Local media outlets, including IndyStar, WFYI, WishTV, WTHR13, and WRTV, covered the story. We want to thank everyone who sent a letter, testified in the hearing, shared our social media posts, and stood in solidarity with Muslim Hoosiers. A legislative session like no other!Convening a general assembly during a pandemic can be challenging! The 2021 legislative session started on January 4 with legislators attending sessions in-person. However, members of the public testifying on a bill must do so in person at the Capital building. They can testify on the floor or from a separate room via video.
As the second week of the session has come to an end, roughly 580 bills have been proposed in the House, and 420 bills have been proposed in the Senate. Here is a quick run down of the bills we are monitoring this legislative session: A. HB1131 - BIAS MOTIVATED CRIMES (BOY, P) B. HB1185 - BULLYING (PORTER, G) C. HB1209 - BIAS MOTIVATED CRIMES (PORTER, G) D. SB192 - LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING (TAYLOR, G) E. HB1440 - RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES (DELANEY, E) Hazem Bata, IMAN Associates Public Policy Advisor, is attending weekly meetings with the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus and Indiana Coalition for Human Services. Those weekly meetings help advocacy organizations connect and coordinate their lobbying efforts to take action on different proposed bills. 2020 Annual Report2020 has been a difficult year in so many ways. Individuals, institutions and communities at large faced unprecedented challenges amid global health and economic crises. Although IMAN Associates had to pivot and adjust to the new norms, its mission remained relevant and vibrant during an election year. We are delighted to bring you the 2020 Annual Report that highlights our impact in the past year. Our heartfelt thanks go to each and every board member, volunteer, donor, event attendee, social media follower and community member who contributed to the success and helped the organization drive meaningful impact. Truly, it takes a village to bring change and we are grateful to all of you for playing an instrumental role in this journey. 2020 Year in NumbersEvery year, we bring you an infographic that shows our impact in numbers in our three key areas: Influencing Public Policy, Mobilizing the Muslim Vote and Community Engagement. 
The organization’s search for its first in-house lobbyist has finally come to an end! We are excited to announce that Mr. Hazem Bata has joined our team and will represent IMAN Associates and the Muslim community at the Statehouse. We are delighted to introduce Mr. Bata to you with this short bio:
Hazem Bata is the CEO of Trureal USA, a start-up company that raises funds for nonprofit organizations. He is the former Secretary General and CEO of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the former executive director of the Counsel on American-Islamic Relations (Orlando). Hazem also started his own law firm and practiced in real estate and transactional work. He later became general counsel for Haven Trust Bank Florida and worked with Bank of America. Concerned with the spread of the "Unmosqued" phenomenon and general lack of interest in Islam among newer generations, Hazem left his legal career and joined ISNA. He hopes to refocus the organization on strengthening mosques, making them more relevant to more Muslims, and ensuring they are an impetus for advancing the American Muslim community. Hazem received a B.S. in mechanical engineering (with honors) and J.D. from West Virginia University. He also received an LL.M. in intellectual property from Washington University in St. Louis. Hazem lives in Indianapolis with his super-lovely wife, Rayhana, and two adorable sons, Imran and Ibrahim. Mr. Hazem Bata can be reached at hbata@imanadvocates.org GOTV Campaign outreach:In the two week leading up to election day, IMAN Associates, in collaboration with ACT Indiana, ran a nonpartisan GOTV campaign, with more than 25 volunteers mobilizing the Muslim vote across the state by:
Haven't heard from us? Please share with us your contact info to help us keep our voter list updated. PAC News:November 4 was a historic day for the Indiana Muslim community! Dr. Fady Qaddoura was elected to become the first Muslim American to serve in the Indiana General Assembly. State Senator Qaddoura defeated the Republican Incumbent John Ruckelshaus with more than 4,000 votes. It was the only senate race that the Indiana Democratic party won in the 2020 elections.
IMAN Associates issued a press release announcing this historic win to the Muslim community. Countless local, national and international, media outlets covered this victory, including WishTV, IndyStar, SouthBend Tribune, The New Arab. Also, he was highlighted as one of 50 Muslim candidates to win US elections, and one of 7 to make history as first Muslim officials elected to respective state office. We want to thank our members and the Muslim community for their unwavering support to his campaign.Your monetary and time donations had indeed fueled his campaign and the PAC leadership can't thank you enough for your generosity. May Allah SWT bless you and your families. Get out the Muslim Vote! Did you hear from us last week? During our phone banks, our amazing group of volunteers have made 5,510 calls to Muslim voters across the state and had meaningful conversations with 194 Muslim voters. Over the weekend, volunteers texted 9,189 and received 1,268 responses from Muslim voters, inquiring about polling locations, and information about candidates. Some of them were intrigued to learn about the organization and shared with us that they will vote this election. We will be reaching out to voters again this weekend, with a final push to get out the Muslim vote. If you are interested to help out, email your name and cell phone number to Hiba Alami at halami@imanadvocates.org. A big shout out to our committed volunteers who made those phone and text banks possible! 5 Midwestern Muslim Organizations Coming together to mobilize the Muslim vote:October 24, 2020 marked the "Early Vote Day," where civic organizations across the nation called on voters to get the early vote. IMAN Associates joined forces with 4 other Midwestern Muslim organizations, Muslim Alliance of Indiana, the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago in Illinois, Reviving Sisterhood and Minnesota Muslim Leaders Coalition in Minnesota, to launch a digital campaign to turn out the early vote. Using three social media platforms, the 5 organizations engaged thousands of voters and made their voices loud and clear on the importance of early voting and getting out the Muslim vote in this important election. Anti-Muslim and anti-Catholic rhetoric sown by a GOP candidate:IndyStar has reported yesterday that the Republican candidate John Jocab, vying to represent State House District 93, has posted anti-Catholic and anti-Muslims remarks on his personal facebook page 2-4 years ago. The Indiana Muslim Advocacy Network, Muslim Alliance of Indiana and Muslim Community Center issued a statement today condemning this divisive rhetoric and standing in solidarity with the Catholic parishioners across the state. The organizations called on the candidate to renounce his hateful comments. IMAN Associates urges all voters to go out and vote. Voting is one way we can fight Islamophobia and we urge everyone to do some research before they head to the polls this weekend or on election day. We urge everyone to make an informed decision at the polls. Make your voice heard. Vote!In Indiana, early voting for the 2020 General Election continues throughout the weekend and until election day. With more than 1.25 million voters casting their ballots early across the state, it is a record number and certainly follows national trends. To better accommodate the increased number of voter turnout, Marion County has added Lucas Stadium as another polling location for early voters. IMAN Associates urge its constituents to vote, whether early or on November 3. Please remember to mask-up, keep 6 feet distance and sanitize your hands after you use the polling station. Also, remember to bring your photo ID. If you are in line before 6pm, you are eligible to vote, so please don't get discouraged. Here are the polling locations with dates and times for in-person early voting: For polling locations and hours on Election Day, visit indianavoters.in.gov. While in line, check our nonpartisan voter guide to learn where candidates stand on different issues.  Information at your fingertips!Muslim civic organizations nationwide are expecting a historic Muslim voter turnout at the 2020 November election, and Indiana is no exception. Given that voter education is key to informed voting, IMAN Associates is bringing you a nonpartisan 2020 General Election Voter Guide, that shines a spot light on 13 congressional, state senate and house districts, with Democratic, Libertarian and Republican candidates participating and sharing their perspectives with Indiana Muslims on an array of issues. Check out our voter guide and share it with friends and family members. Voter Registration Deadline is coming up.Voter Registration deadline is October 5, 2020. You can register or check your registration status at indianavoters.in.gov. Voting by mail is an option ONLY for those voters who meet one of the12 qualifications. We urge our eligible voters to request their absentee ballots TODAY. They need to complete this application form, and send it to their County Election Offices by mail (addresses on the 2nd page), fax, or email. The application to request a vote-by-mail ballot must be received not later than 11:59PM, on October 22, 2020. Eligible voters also have the option to complete the form online at Indiana Voters website. They need to log in to their “my voter portal page” by entering the requested information exactly as it appears on their voter registration record. When on the main landing page, the voter selects the “ABS-Mail” option and enters the information as prompted. After clicking “submit,” a confirmation screen appears that allows the voter to download and retain a copy for their records. There is no need to sign and return the online submission since the system applies the voter’s registration signature to the application on the back-end. Important Date: Early Voting starts on October 6, 2020. Find your polling center here. October Muslim GOTV CampaignCoined as the most important election in the U.S. modern history, the 2020 General Election is an opportunity for Indiana Muslims to make their voice heard and move the needle on a number of races across the state. IMAN Associates is committed to turning Muslims voters out to vote in this upcoming election. We have a number of virtual phone banks lined up in October and we are calling on all volunteers to play a key role in this nonpartisan Muslim-to-Muslim GOTV campaign. Dates and details are to follow! Information at your fingertips! It seems like Dr. Fady Qaddoura is the number one candidate in the state, who gets continuously attacked by the GOP. Last week, they attacked him twice. And the second attack is insensible and aims at misleading voters with false information. His opponent sent a mailer to voters in State Senate District 30, claiming that Qaddoura cut funds to public education while he was Indianapolis City Controller. The photoshopped mailer depicts him as a homeless, utterly ridiculing the fact that he and his family became homeless in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
But good things are happening too! Qaddoura continues to receive individual and institutional endorsements, with the latest coming from the Republican Jennifer McCormick, Indiana's Superintendent of Public Instruction. McCormick’s endorsement comes as education remains the top issue for many Hoosier families and voters across the senate district 30 and Qaddoura's campaign. “Fady Qaddoura represents the kind of honest leadership Hoosiers not only wish for but value in their statehouse. Specifically, Fady’s immediate response to last month’s school funding controversy was the kind of common sense, children-first approach our families want to see in our elected leaders,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, Indiana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Further, I’ve been impressed with Fady’s priority to hand the mic to the voices and leaders that know education policies best: our teachers, parents, and administrators. Hoosiers need that kind of genuine honesty in their elected officials, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to endorse Fady Qaddoura and his campaign for Senate District 30.” A republican endorsing a democrat is a step in the right direction for Qaddoura. In the wake of this breaking news, the GOP won't spare a moment without attacking Qaddoura by disseminating false information about him. He needs to counter their attacks with a rigorous outreach to voters in Senate District 30. He needs your help to keep his TV ads and mailers going. He needs your help to keep his campaign alive. Indiana is one of 7 states that require an excuse for absentee votingLast week, the Indiana Election Commission voted down expanding absentee voting to all Hoosiers. Voting by mail remains an option ONLY for those voters who meet one of the following 12 qualifications:
Eligible voters also have the option to complete the form online at Indiana Voters website. They need to log in to their “my voter portal page” by entering the requested information exactly as it appears on their voter registration record. When on the main landing page, the voter selects the “ABS-Mail” option and enters the information as prompted. After clicking “submit,” a confirmation screen appears that allows the voter to download and retain a copy for their records. There is no need to sign and return the online submission since the system applies the voter’s registration signature to the application on the back-end. Important date: Before you request your absentee ballot, make sure you are registered to vote. Voter Registration deadline is October 5, 2020. You can register or check your registration status at indianavoters.in.gov. Well-received Candidate Forums:On August 6, we kicked off our candidate forum series with an event dedicated to Tippecanoe and Hendricks County voters. It featured Rep. Sheila Ann Klinker (the Democratic incumbent representing State House District 27), Joe Mackey (the Democratic candidate vying to represent Indiana's 4th Congressional District), and Stan Albaugh (the Democratic candidate vying to represent State Senate District 24). On August 13, we hosted U.S. Congressman Andre´ Carson (the Democratic incumbent representing Indiana's 7th Congressional District), Rep. Cherrish Pryor (the Democratic incumbent representing State House District 94), Senator John Ruckelshaus (the Republican incumbent representing State Senate District 30) and Dr. Fady Qaddoura (the Democratic candidate vying to represent State Senate District 30). Moderated by Judge David Shaheed, the forum gave Marion County voters the chance to ask the participants questions about an array of policy issues, including racial justice, education, and health care. Did you miss those events? You can watch them on our website or Facebook page. PAC News:A team of volunteers are out with Dr. Fady Qaddoura in Senate District 30 every single day reaching out to voters. He continues to participate in community conversations and receive endorsements from various public officials and institutions. With 73 days until the November election, voters in Senate District 30 are ready for a new leadership.
When elected, he will fight to protect our health, draw fair maps, support public education and teachers, reduce gun violence, support living wages, protect the climate, reform the criminal justice system, pass comprehensive hate crime legislation, and ensure that Indiana welcomes people from all walks of life. Dr. Qaddoura can champion these causes for us, but we need your help to do it! Your financial support will help his campaign accomplish its fundraising goal this month. Thank you! The stakes are high...that's why we strive to engage our voters!100 days left for the 2020 General Election Day. Let that sink in for a moment! In addition to the presidential election, we have many federal and state races on the ballot this fall. A total of 470 seats in the U.S. Congress (35 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for grabs on November 3, 2020, including Indiana's 5th Congressional district that caught national attention as one of the most hotly contested congressional races. The Indiana Gubernatorial and Attorney General races are two other high profile races, along with 15 races in the State Senate chamber and the entire State House of Representatives chamber. Indeed, this election will shape the national and local political landscapes for years to come. This big election year has fueled our efforts to ensure Indiana Muslim voters are ready to get their vote out and make informed decisions at the polls. Based on Muslim voters' data across the state, we identified districts with high percentage of Muslim voters and crafted a strategy to educate them about the various state senate and house races, starting with a Candidate Forum Series in August to publishing a Voters' Guide that speaks to the candidates' positions on an array of local and national issues. We will conclude our voters engagement efforts with GOTV campaign in the few weeks leading up to November 3, with the goal of reaching as many Muslim voters as possible and urge them to get the vote out. We look forward to engaging you all!  Candidate Forum Series:We are excited to bring our voters three virtual candidate forums that shine a light on different congressional and state races in Tippecanoe, Hendricks, Marion and Hamilton Counties. These virtual events are free, but registration is required to receive Zoom meeting info. Join us on the following dates: Tippecanoe & Hendricks County Candidate Forum August 6, 2020 at 7PM Invited Candidates: U.S. Congressman Jim Baird (R) and Joe Mackey (D), 4th Congressional District Senator John Crane (R) and Stan Albaugh (D), State Senate District 24 Rep. Sheila Ann Klinker (D) and James Hass (R), State House District 27 Marion County Candidate Forum August 13, 2020 at 7PM Guest of Honor: U.S. Congressman Andre´ Carson Invited Candidates: Sen. John Ruckleshaus (R) and Fady Qaddoura (D), State Senate District 30 Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D) and Felipe Rios (R), State House District 94 Hamilton County Candidate Forum August 27, 2020 at 7PM Invited Candidates: Ronald Saunders (D) and Scott Baldwin (R), State Senate District 20 Rep. Donna Schaibley (R) and Naomi Bechtold (D), State House District 24 Rep. Todd Huston (R) and Aimee Cole (D), State House District 37 Rep. Jerry Torr (R) and Ashley Klein (D), State House District 39 PAC News:Reaching out to Senate District 30 voters has been the focus of Dr. Fady Qaddoura's campaign lately. Whether having conversations with voters on the phone, or dropping off literature across the district, the campaign is committed to inform them where Dr. Qaddoura stands on various issues and garner their support on election day.
Would you help deliver his message to voters? By making a donation to his campaign or signing up to volunteer your time, you take part in this historic candidacy and help bring a new leadership to the Indiana State Senate. We are always grateful for your support!  A Press Conference to Call for Action:On May 24, 2020, Masjid E Noor, a local mosque serving Northwest Indianapolis Hoosiers since 2013, was attacked by a drive-by shooting. Given that the mosque was following state guidelines to limit the spread of coronavirus, only a few members were gathered in prayer to mark Eid-Ul-Fitr, when bullets penetrated the windows and nearly struck some of the congregants in an act of attempted murder against those inside. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Masjid E Noor leadership reported the attack to the IMPD, and provided them with a surveillance video that captured what appears to be a red sports car from which the shots were fired. On Thursday, May 27, 2020, IMAN Associates and Masjid E Noor held a press conference and called on IMPD to investigate a possible hate crime motive for the shooting, to increase patrols directly in front of Masjid E Noor and other local mosques, and called on elected officials to publicly condemn this abhorrent act of violence. You can learn more about the press conference in the IndyStar, the Indy Channel, and Channel 13. Minutes prior to the press conference, CAIR brought national attention to the incident by issuing a press release. Muslim Hoosiers have received an outpouring of love and support from other faith communities. Pastor Jerry Zehr with Carmel Christian Church spoke at the press conference in a strong showing of support to the Muslim community. Other faith-based organizations issued statements condemning bigotry and hatred and standing in solidarity with the Muslim community, including the Center of Interfaith Cooperation, the JCRC of Indianapolis, and the Carmel Interfaith Alliance. Also, a number of legislators called for action following the shooting incident, including U.S. Congressman Andre´ Carson, State Rep. Greg Porter, State Rep. Cherrish Pryor and State Senator Greg Taylor. IMAN Associates and Masjid E Noor will continue working with the FBI and the IMPD, who are are currently co-investigating the attack.  Speaking out against hate and racism:On the heels of the shooting incident at Masjid E Noor, IMAN Associates held "Unsilenced. Giving a Voice to Disenfranchised People of Faith and Color," a virtual Town hall meeting with elected officials on June 3, 2020. U.S. Congressman Andre´ Carson, State Rep. Cherrish Pryor, State Senator Greg Taylor and Indianapolis Deputy Mayor David Hampton participated in the candid discussion on hate crimes against religious minorities and racial injustice, and took questions from the audience. Pastor Jerry Zehr with Carmel Christian Church, Rabbi Brett Krichiver with Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation and Imam Shamaas Nyazee with Masjid-E-Noor closed the event with an interfaith prayer. Moderated by Rima Shahid, the Executive Director of Women 4 Change Indiana, it was a well-received event, with over 200 attendees joining via Zoom and Facebook live streaming. Missed the event? You can watch it on our Facebook page. PAC News: Primary Election results are in!Senate District 30 is hungry for change and turned out to support Fady Qaddoura's campaign by nearly a 2 to 1 margin against his republican opponent. He is sincerely grateful to everyone who voted for him and supported his campaign. Interested to learn about his political priorities? Join this upcoming event and show your support to the first Muslim American to run for the Indiana State Senate.   Empowering Muslim VotersIMAN Associates has been steadfast in its efforts to mobilize the Muslim vote in Indiana each election cycle. For the 2020 Primary election on June 2, we are excited to share with you a Voters' Guide that shines a spotlight on competitive local and federal districts. State House District 39, Indiana Congressional districts 1, 4, and 5 not only have heated races, but also a concentration of Muslim voters who can vote from the safety of their homes and move the needle on those races. Voting by mail is now extended to all registered voters in the state of Indiana. All you need to do is to complete this form and return it by May 21, 2020 by 11:59 p.m. local time. The form can be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand-delivered to your county election board office. You will receive your absentee ballot and will have the opportunity to cast your vote from the convenience and safety of your home. We urge all Muslim voters to review this Voters' Guide and vote in the 2020 Primary Election.  In Response to the PandemicIn the face of an unprecedented public health and economic crisis, IMAN Associates is committed to amplify the voice of Muslim Hoosiers and provide them with the needed support to weather the storm. In the last month, we have issued two advisories that examine the recently enacted laws regarding (1) the ban on certain evictions and foreclosure proceedings, and (2) sick leave and expanded family and medical leave. Those advisories aims at answering questions our Muslim community members may have while navigating the economic impact of COVID-19. Additionally, we have joined hands with a number of organizations around the state to call on our elected leaders to act aggressively to slow the spread of the Coronavirus and to protect and care for all Hoosiers- no exceptions! Individuals as well as organizations are welcome to learn about the policy priorities of Indiana Cares and sign the petition. Finally, a joint statement that we crafted and issued in partnership with Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) has garnered the support of many mosques and Islamic centers around the state. The joint statement underscored the commitment of the Indiana Muslim community to suspend all religious congregation during Ramadan and continue practicing social distancing as part of our civic and religious obligation. A press release followed the joint statement and disseminated the message to the wider community. A Ramadan Message from Dr. Fady Qaddoura"Ramadan Mubarak and we wish you a safe, healthy, and blessed fasting filled with peace, tranquility, and deep reflections. In light of COVID-19, stay-at-home orders, and to maintain social distancing, Dr. Fady Qaddoura's campaign for the Indiana State Senate has shifted its strategy from canvassing, large group gatherings, and community forums to virtual online campaigning. Over the past two months, Dr. Fady's campaign launched a bi-weekly live Facebook event titled "Community Conversations," which attracted an average attendance and viewership of 500+ individuals per event. In addition, the campaign launched phone banking with the goal of making 10,000 calls by June 2, which is the Primary Election date, to ask voters for their support. Furthermore, Dr. Fady's campaign released several social media ads and videos promoting his policy positions on issues such as public education, fair elections, and criminal justice reform. Finally, the campaign invested in hiring a campaign manager and a part time staffer to manage the day to day activities of the campaign. In total, our campaign reached out to and engaged a total of 30,000 voters in the district so far and we are building sustainable momentum. While COVID-19 forced the economy to pause, elections will proceed with full determination to share our message with the Hoosiers from all walks of life. Dr. Fady received the endorsements of every elected official in Marion county, many civic associations, unions, and community leaders. We can't pause or slow down because the stakes are so high in 2020 and will impact many generations to come. Our campaign needs to raise a total of $150,000 by August to remain competitive. We urge you to invest in the success of this historic campaign and donate generously during the month of Ramadan to help elect the first American Muslim to the Indiana General Assembly. We need everyone's support to win the elections in November. Jazakum Allah Khairan."  |
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