CAIR-WA: 150 to Take Part in Muslim Youth Leadership Program

UW Law School Dean to address students at fourth annual CAIR-WA event

SEATTLE, July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Sunday, July 10th, the Seattle office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) will host some 150 Muslim students (ages 13-22) for its fourth annual Muslim Youth Leadership Program (MYLP) at Seattle's City Hall. (The event is co-sponsored by the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.)

Kellye Testy, dean of the University of Washington Law School, will deliver the opening speech. KING-5 television reporter Allen Schauffler will also discuss the importance of journalism and the ways students can engage effectively with local media professionals.

WHAT: Muslim Youth Leadership Program One-Day Symposium Followed by Four Days of Meetings
WHEN: One-Day Symposium: Sunday, July 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Meetings: July 11-14, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
WHERE: Sunday Symposium: Bertha Knight Landes Room, Seattle City Hall July 11-14: Various offices in and near downtown Seattle
CONTACT: CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari, 206.367.4081, 206.931.3655, E-Mail: [e-mail]

The day-long event will be followed by four days of meetings with executives in fields such as law, public relations, journalism, politics, broadcast media, philanthropy, and the arts. The program is designed to inspire Muslim youth to increase their civic engagement.

A $5,000 scholarship for Muslim graduate students offered by a local Muslim family through an Islamic Center will be announced.

SEE: IMAN Establishes New Scholarship Fund
http://www.iman-wa.org/cms/2011/04/iman-establishes-new-scholarship-fund/

The first day of the program stresses the importance of civic, political, and media engagement. The following four days are designed to introduce American Muslim youth to careers by having them engage in meetings with executives in those fields at their offices.

"Although American Muslims are integrated in many ways, they remain underrepresented in important fields in which professionals have opportunities to affect public opinion and public policy," said CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari. "MYLP is designed to inspire young Muslims to be the generation that overcomes that hurdle by becoming political leaders, journalists, filmmakers, and attorneys."

Testimonials from previous MYLPs, pictures, videos, the event program, and other resources are available on the official website: www.cairseattle.org/mylp

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari, 206.367.4081, 206.931.3655, E-mail: [e-mail]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [e-mail]; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: [e-mail]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations