The Maryland Muslim Council (MdMC) held a spectacular Annual Dinner on Sunday October 25, 2009 at Hyatt Regency, Baltimore City, Maryland. A packed banquet hall with 1,000 American Muslims and Non Muslim from 18 different countries and 80 politicians and government officials including; Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Congressmen Sarbanes and Ruppersburgh, White House Director of Outreach, Paul Monteiro, Maryland Secretary of State John McDonough, Secretary of Health John Colmers, Secretary of Department of Business and Economic Development Christian Johansson, Secretary of Appointments Jeanne Hitchcock, Executive Director, Izzy Patoka, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Chief of Staff, Earl Adam, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, Baltimore City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, Harford County Executive David Craig, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson, Mayor of the City of Frederick, William Holtzman, Maryland State Senators James Robey, James DeGrange, Sr., James Rosapepe, Nathaniel Exum, Doug Peters, Antony Muse, David Harrington and 12 Maryland Delegates, Councilmen, Superintendents of Board of Education, Deputy Superintendent Maryland State Department of Education, Police Chiefs from the City of Baltimore and Howard County, FBI and Census Bureau Representatives, Diplomat from Embassy of Qatar Ahmed Al-Rumailhi, Diplomat from Egyptian Embassy Mohamed Wageeh, and other elected officials. All guests were welcomed and recognized by the Council.
The evening was dedicated to the new vision of Maryland Muslim Council "Empowering American Muslims to Build a Stronger America". Muslim Youth presented recitation from the Holy Quran followed by American National Anthem and then introduced elected officials including Mayors, County Executives, Lt, Governor and the Governor of Maryland. Three youth speakers also presented their views of what motivates them to get involved in the Politics. The program was very well organized and completed on schedule with dinner served at 8:15 pm. The evening presented an opportunity to local politicians and elected officials to find out about Muslims progress in Maryland and Opportunities available. A panel discussion was organized with the School Superintendents to discuss issues such as introduction of Arabic language and diversity in the Maryland school system...
The President of Maryland Muslim Council also presented four goals for next year which are listed below:
- Leadership Council for youth
- Arabic Language in the school system
- Two more local councils
- Transferring the model to other States on the Union
Additionally; the Governor of Maryland presented an award to Maryland Muslim Council for their outstanding services to the State of Maryland which was received by the President of Maryland Muslim Council, Anwer Hasan. This award was presented for the exemplary services provided by the Maryland Muslim Council and its 8 local councils for last eight years across the state in terms of Food Drives, Blood Banks, Coat Drives, Meals on Wheels, Health Fairs and many other Social welfare programs. The event was sponsored by eight local Muslim Councils American Muslim Business and Professional Association, Embassy of Qatar and 95 other sponsors. The local councils include:
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