The Council of Islamic Organizations Hosted 29th Annual Gala

^{Posted by Syed Khalil Ullah,Community Contributor on Tue, Nov 16, 2021 at 12:38 pm CT. Retrieved from patch.com}

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago hosted its 29th annual " Community Annual Dinner" on Sunday, Nov. 14th, 2021 at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. Muslim Across Illinois gathered at the beautiful Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace to celebrate and honor several of Community outstanding community partners. About 1200 people filled the banquet with the great event shines a spotlight on the Muslim community by recognizing top Muslim achievements and their significant contributions to society. The event featured a social hour, dinner, and the annual awards ceremony. The council is a nonprofit organization unifying a federation of over 60 mosques and Islamic organizations with Muslims from across the Chicago area and all walks of life. The theme of this program was " Journey of Resilience."

The sold-out event was a hit with more than 1200 attendees. Including a wide range of elected officials, major civic figures, and community leaders. Many Civic and interfaith leaders also attended.

That was an elegant event bringing together Muslim of Chicago to raise funds for goals, activities, expansion plans. Council currently has more than hundred running Projects in Chicagoland. The program was started right after social Hours. The event was emceed by Ubayd Ullah Evans. The event began with a stunning recitation of the Quran and translation by the local Islamic School student. Welcome and opening remarks were conducted by Gregory Abdullah Mitchell, executive director of CIOGC.

In chair remarks, CIOGC chairman Irshad Khan explained about CIOGC outlined the goals, activities, expansion plans, and the need for funds to continue meeting the growing needs of the community. President Irshad Khan also offered an impressive list of accomplishments of the organizations.

Gregory Abdullah Mitchell, Executive director of CIOGC, said we accomplishments made through your support despite the pandemic challenges.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) received the award. After she received the award she came to the podium and state of Illinois current Guidelines and Citizen of Illinois are supporting. She discussed about the matter of vaccine and state policy. She was very concerned about Large gathering. Everyone should follow CDC Guidelines and watch the case numbers go down. Covid cases can be raised again if we do not obey. She appreciated very much first responders and Doctors who saved our lives During Pandemic and restless work during the entirety of this ongoing pandemic.

CIOGC has recognized three outstanding Muslim Achiever's from Chicagoland, Aneesa Muthana- President of Pioneer Services, Loay Elbasyouni- Senior Director of Engineering, Astrodyne and Dr. Husain A Sattar, M.D- Associate Professor, Pathology.

The Keynote speaker was Alia Bilal, currently she is working as a Deputy Director of Inner-City Muslim Action Network, She Highlighted about her experience and share the experience and Knowledge about the racial justice across the country. She Urged to audience to reach out to people and communities across faiths and backgrounds in the spirit of peace and better understanding. She also speaks about advancing justice for all marginalized people. She said, "We need social justice for all people to speak up, lift up. Also, we need to struggle to make faith more than just ritual and dogma and rhetorical posturing."

Through the video documentary CIOGC shared the exciting projects that it has been busy with over the past year. Governor JB Pritzker, Mayor Chicago Lightfoot, Congresswomen Lauren Underwood and Cardinal Blase Joseph Cupich appreciate virtual remarks played at the event. President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners Mrs. Toni Preckwinkle shows up and addresses the event.

There was a long list of sponsors of the 29th annual CommUnity Dinner, The Main Sponsor were Mosque Foundation, the Downtown Islamic Center, Islamic Center of Naperville, Muslim Community Center, Zakat Foundation of America, Islamic Foundation North, Benedictine University, Mecca Center, Alwan Printing, Audio Visual Computer Specialists, Elite Decor, Iman Fund, Orland Park Prayer Center, and many others.