Mayor of the City of Memphis Jim Strickland, Rep. Dwayne Thompson, Rep. Raumesh Akbari, Mayor of the City of Germantown Mike Palazzolo and Shelby County Commissioner Mark Billingsley all attended a fundraiser hosted by the American Muslim Advisory Council Sunday night.
AMAC is a non-profit organization that aims to connect Tennessee Muslim communities to government officials and law enforcement. The event, AMAC’s second annual fundraiser, reached its fundraising goal of around $80,000.
“As Mayor of Memphis, I’m mayor of everyone,” Strickland said. “All races, all religions, both genders, and I feel like I have to reach out … Diversity is what makes Memphis better.”
The government officials each spoke at the fundraiser about the importance of the Muslim community within Memphis. The theme of the night was “Standing up for Justice.” Commissioner Billingsley expounded on the theme with words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Dr. King said that our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter,” the commissioner said. “This is a time where things are very, very important at the local level, state level and at the national level.”
During his speech, Mayor Strickland stressed the desire for safety, education and jobs as being something that is desired by everyone despite individual differences. Strickland also talked about Memphis’ value for everyone, regardless of religion or race.
Rep. Raumesh Akbari of Tennessee House of Representatives District 91, a child of an immigrant herself, made a promise to the audience and advised the youth to never be ashamed of their name or background.
“But I want you to know, that I in my position will do whatever I can to fight against unjust and unfair laws and ignorant rhetoric, and anything that I believe is a threat to your community and our community, Memphis as a whole,” Rep. Akbari said. “And to the young people in this room, I don’t want you ever to feel scared or ashamed of your background or your culture.”
Rep. Dwayne Thompson of Tennessee House of Represenatives District 96 attributed his win this year to the opportunity for him to support his ideals of equal opportunity for all Americans and freedom of religion.
Khalimah Azeez Rashada, project manager for AMAC and the organizer of the fundraiser, thought it went well.
“With everything going on in society and the hearts of good believers be it Christian, Muslim or Jew they saw the need for an organization to promote freedom, and what our founding fathers stood for – which is freedom for all religions,” Rashada said. “And they supported it and everyone was excited to be a part of that movement that AMAC brings to Tennessee.”
