American Muslim Voice 4th Annual Peace Convention

Sunday December 9th you have an opportunity to attend an amazing event - American Muslim Voice's annual convention. You won't want to miss this event!

Assimilation and integration?
How about a new inclusive nation?

In order for us to become one nation and live according to our constitution, we must adopt our moral values and ethics from all American citizens. We could simply "choose the best and leave the rest." It would be great to live in a nation that truly values all of its residents. It is our responsibility to create that community. Let us build "a beloved community" where all of us feel accepted, cherished, respected and at home.

With distinguished guests and Panelists:

First session

Featured speaker: Cindy Sheehan, American anti-war activist, whose son, Casey Sheehan was killed serving our country in the Iraq War

Panel Discussion

Protection of Civil Rights - America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense, it is the other way around. Human rights invented America. Jimmy Carter

• Brandon Mayfield, Oregon lawyer and converted Muslim falsely accused in the 2004 Madrid bombings.
• Elden Rosenthal, Oregon Civil Rights Attorney. (Brandon Mayfield's attorney)
• Rick Callender, President of the Silicon Valley NAACP.
• Julia Harumi Mass, staff Attorney for ACLU Northern CA.
• Moderator: Paul George, is director of the Peninsula Peace and Justice Center in Palo Alto, CA.

Keynote Speaker: Neal Katyal, Georgetown University Professor of Law and victorious lead counsel in the Supreme Court case Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, which held that military commissions set up by the Bush administration to try detainees at Guantanamo Bay are illegal.

“…some little guy [with] a fourth-grade education, Yemeni, like Mr. Hamdan, who was accused of conspiring with one of the most horrendous individuals on the planet, can sue the most powerful man in the world and win in our highest court. That is something that is fundamentally great about America and something we should be celebrating to the rest of the world. In no other country would this be possible” Neal Katyal on the steps of the Supreme Court, moments after his victory in Handan v. Rumsfeld

Second session

Featured speaker: Khalil Bendib, Renowned political cartoonist and author of Mission Accomplished: Wicked Cartoons by America's Most Wanted Political Cartoonist.

Panel Discussion: Inclusive community - America, One Nation Under God?

• Dolores Huerta, President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation and co-founder of the United Farm Workers with Cesar E. Chavez.
• Lillian Litzsey, Chair of the Black Women Organized for Political Action
• Habibe Husain, Founder of Rahima Foundation
• Richard Hobbs Director of the Office of Human Relations, County of Santa Clara .
• Moderator: Teresa Castellanos, has worked with immigrant communities for over 20 years. She is currently the program manager of IRIS: Immigrant Relations and Integration Services in the Office of Human Relations.

Keynote Speaker: Ronald Takaki, UC Berkeley Professor. Takaki was elected to be a fellow of the prestigious Society of American Historians. In 1995, Takaki attended two seminars on race at Vice President Al Gore’s home to advise him. In 1997, he attended a White House meeting with President Bill Clinton to help brainstorm ideas for his major speech, “One America in the 21st Century: The President’s Initiative on Race.” Significantly, Clinton took the dialogue on race beyond the black-white binary, and presented an inclusive definition of Americans as a diverse people belonging to one nation.

Award Ceremony

Join us as we honor individuals for their distinguished community service.

Cultural Entertainment

Take a peek inside Mehndi Ki Raat, a traditional pre-wedding fun filled bridal henna party with songs and cultural ceremonies. (complimentary henna application during social hour between 2:30-3:15)

• When: Sunday December 9, 2007
• Time: 2:30 pm - 9:30 pm
• Where: Chandni Restaurant
• 5748 Mowry School Road, Newark, CA
• Ticket - $ 25.00 includes dinner (AMV fundraiser)
• Please visit our website for more information and printable flyer www.amuslimvoice.org

Firdous Kamran 510-435-5383 -Adeel Iqbal 510-366-7770 - Samina Sundas 650-387-1994

About AMV:

AMV celebrates diversity and values all human beings regardless of race, religion or creed. We strive to create a culture of peace, acceptance, mutual respect and harmony. In 2007 AMV and its members have been blessed with seven distinguished awards by diverse national organizations, counties and faith groups.