Governor Quinn Hosts First-ever "Iftar" Dinner at Executive Mansion

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn joined dozens of Illinois Muslim American leaders to celebrate Ramadan with a traditional "Iftar" meal at the Executive Mansion, marking the first time an Illinois Governor has ever hosted such an event. Governor Quinn also formally accepted the inaugural report submitted by the Governor's Muslim American Advisory Council.

"Ramadan Mubarak to everyone celebrating," Governor Quinn said. "Ramadan is a sacred time of fasting and sacrifice, a time to reflect on one's purpose and reaffirm a commitment to compassion. The Iftar is a joyous way to end the fast and I'm honored to open up the people's house in Springfield to host this great tradition."

President Thomas Jefferson is credited with being the first to celebrate Ramadan in the White House with a sunset dinner for a Tunisian envoy. President Barack Obama has continued that tradition.

Governor Quinn noted the rich diversity of Illinois' Muslim American community, which is reflected in the Governor's Advisory Council. Members represent many ethnicities and national origins, from African Americans and South Asians to Bosnia and Turkey. They speak many different languages, and represent a variety of professions, including lawyers, business owners, professors and community activists.

The Governor's Muslim American Advisory Council submitted its first-ever Semiannual Report to the governor, and called for "partnership and positive engagement." The panel - the first of its kind in the nation - offered a dozen recommendations concerning community and economic development, education and public safety.

"I appreciate the hard work our Muslim American Advisory Council put into this report and my administration will work closely with the council to achieve these goals," Governor Quinn said. "This council's composition reflects the rich diversity of Illinois' more than 400,000-person Muslim community, and this report reflects their thoughtful analysis and common sense solutions to problems facing Illinois."

The council's recommendations address needs in several areas, including public safety, economic development, government services, human services, health care and education.

Some highlights of the Council's report:

• To address youth violence, the state should partner with faith-based communities and Muslim-owned businesses to link at-risk youth with training, counseling and mentoring;
• Trade opportunities should be cultivated with nations in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, especially the fast-growing economies in the Persian/Arab Gulf;
• The council commended Governor Quinn for striving to make Illinois the "most welcoming state in the Nation," and urges continued support for the New Americans Initiative and Immigrant Family Resource Program;
• The state should utilize the extensive networks of the council members to expand outreach to the Muslim American community in Illinois, and reach out to mosques and Islamic centers when community development and public safety are at issue;
• The state should increase access to affordable health care by targeting Health Insurance Marketplace outreach efforts to African American Muslims (who are disproportionately represented in uninsured categories); and
• Cultural and global understanding through education, foreign language training and the arts should be promoted.

"The Council recommendations to Governor Quinn are broadly focused on the support of Illinoisans of all faiths and the overall development of American society," said Kareem M. Irfan, Council Co-Chair. "Muslim Americans join their fellow Illinoisans in seeking safer neighborhoods, improved education, better employment, affordable health care and a prosperous citizenry. We are an integral part of the solution and this council's work is a significant step on that path."

For the complete list of the Governor's Muslim American Advisory Council appointees or to read the full Report, see: muslimamerican.illinois.gov.