July 25, 2017 | Latest, Statements
SMC Upcoming Elections and New Islamic Center Project
On Sunday, July 16th, the Shia Muslim Council of Southern California held its general body meeting in Yorba Linda, CA. The meeting was attended by 13 Shia based organization and a number individual community members to discuss current and future affairs of Muslims. SMC also honored its volunteers who supported the SMC Eid-ul-Fitr Picnic on July 9th, where more than 600 attendees participate to celebrate Eid together. Among the items at the forefront of discussion was the upcoming elections to select a new Executive Council, as their current three-year term expires in October 2017. This democratic process of electing 7 leaders to lead the Shia Muslim Council will take place on Sunday, October 8th in Yorba Linda, CA. The Office of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and 3 Councilor seats will be selected by SMC member organizations. We invite you to take a role in shaping SMC and the future of the Muslim Community by stepping up one of these positions. Nominations for Candidates can be submitted via Nomination Form or by contacting the Secretary, Khalil Dewji at kddewji@aol.comor 714-309-7979. Nomination form includes roles and responsibilities of each key position. Requirements for the candidates include: 1) Being a follow of the Jafari School of thought; 2) demonstrating good character and 3) commitment to drive initiatives forward. Nominations for candidates for President will be accepted through August 23, 2017 and for all other positions through September 7, 2017. Only candidates nominated by these deadlines will be considered on the ballot for elections, unless there are no candidates nominated for a certain position. In such situation, nominations will be accepted on the day of elections. The SMC is an umbrella organization for a number of Shia Islamic centers, mosques, and organizations. The mission of the SMC is to serve the interests of the Shia Muslim Community in Southern California. The SMC has two main objectives: to promote and strengthen unity between the followers of Ahlulbayt in Southern California, and to build bridges of understanding and cooperation with other schools of though and faith traditions. For any question pertaining to election, please call Khalil Dewji at (714) 309-7979. New Islamic Center in Chicago Masjid Al-Rasul, one of the founding members of SMC has embarked on a project to open a new Islamic Center in the underserved area of Chicago. Under the leadership of Imam Mujahid Abdul-Karim, Masjid Al-Rasul was founded in 1980 in the Watts community of Los Angeles, California, which is currently the only Shia Masjid in the United States that is strategically located in an historical African-American Community. More information about this project can be found at: You can help Masjid Al-Rasul in their project by donating at: http://www.masjidalrasul.com/il/donate/ Check out the brochure for more information here: http://shiamuslimcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/MAR_final_with_bleed.pdf |