Small Gifts for Change

My meager gifts are an attempt on my part to resist the deep silence of helplessness and find refuge in this minimalist act of defiance. It assuages some of my depression at the state of my country and the world and, although small, these dollars build on solid foundations of the organizations that I have chosen to fight back against discrimination of all types, injustice, and the erosion of freedom.

This week my donation in honor of my family and friends is to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). The majority of Muslims in this country and around the world repudiate any form of terrorism as part of their faith. Here CAIR describes the organization:

CAIR’s vision is to be a leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding.

CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CORE PRINCIPLES

• CAIR supports free enterprise, freedom of religion and freedom of expression.
• CAIR is committed to protecting the civil rights of all Americans, regardless of faith.
• CAIR supports domestic policies that promote civil rights, diversity and freedom of religion.
• CAIR opposes domestic policies that limit civil rights, permit racial, ethnic or religious profiling, infringe on due process, or that prevent Muslims and others from participating fully in American civic life.
• CAIR is a natural ally of groups, religious or secular, that advocate justice and human rights in America and around the world.
• CAIR supports foreign policies that help create free and equitable trade, encourage human rights and promote representative government based on socio-economic justice.
• CAIR believes the active practice of Islam strengthens the social and religious fabric of our nation.
• CAIR condemns all acts of violence against civilians by any individual, group or state.
• CAIR advocates dialogue between faith communities both in America and worldwide.
• CAIR supports equal and complementary rights and responsibilities for men and women.

www.cair.com/about-us/vision-mission-core-principles.html

My husband and myself at the beautiful and impressive Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco.

The class in the Maldives that I met with.

Gifts in your honor to date:

Planned Parenthood, November 19, 2016: in hopes that women’s rights to their own bodies and health will be recognized.