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A resolution recognizing the 10th Anniversary of the American Muslim Advisory Council.
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WHEREAS, Muslims have been an integral part of Tennessee history and have contributed to the vibrancy of Nashville’s diversity; and
WHEREAS, in addition to being known as Music City, Nashville is also affectionately known as Little Kurdistan-USA for being home to the largest Kurdish population in the United States; and
WHEREAS, while visiting Music City in the 1970s, Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam), planted the seed money to establish one of Nashville’s first mosques, Islamic Center of Nashville; and
WHEREAS, Nashville is now home to 10 Islamic centers that provide spiritual, community, and social services.; and
WHEREAS, true to its legacy, Nashville became a leader and welcoming city in the1990s, resettling thousands of Kurdish and Somali refugees; and
WHEREAS, now 70,000 Muslims that come from diverse ethnic, cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds call Tennessee home, with over 45,000 in Middle Tennessee alone; and
WHEREAS, the American Muslim Advisory Council (“AMAC”) was founded in 2012 after Tennessee Muslims successfully joined together with their allies to defeat a harsh piece of anti-Muslim legislation, often called the “anti-sharia” bill, and a series of failed attempts by some members of the Tennessee legislature to stifle the constitutional rights of Muslims; and
WHEREAS, headquartered in Nashville, AMAC is the only statewide Muslim advocacy organization in Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, AMAC works to empower the Tennessee Muslim community and foster mutual trust and respect among all people through civic engagement, community building, and media relations; and
WHEREAS, AMAC fights against Islamophobia and advocates for the Muslim community so that they can live free from discrimination, bullying, and hate crimes and feel a sense of belonging; and
WHEREAS, AMAC mobilizes thousands of Muslims to be civically engaged by hosting candidate forums, town halls, voter education events, and other get-out-the-vote initiatives and connects Muslims to their local, state and federal elected officials so they can advocate on the issues important to them; and
WHEREAS, AMAC has led dozens of cultural competency workshops with various organizations across Tennessee and has organized Muslims around issues such as education and public safety, including conducting know your rights workshops and active-shooter trainings across the state; and
WHEREAS, AMAC connects communities to the resources they need to thrive through the Muslim Resources Services; and
WHEREAS, AMAC has successfully mobilized the community during the pandemic by targeting food insecurity for at-risk communities, organizing vaccine clinics and testing, and connecting public health organizations to the diverse Muslim community across Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, AMAC has led a coalition of organizations to welcome our newest community members, Afghan refugees, into the state; and
WHEREAS, for the past nine years, AMAC has hosted an annual Empowering Women Conference to uplift Muslim women through spiritual, financial, and educational workshops. Past speakers at the conference include Yasmin Mogahed, Tayyibah Taylor, Hannah Gamal, Project Runway finalist Ayanna Ife, Demetria Kaladimos, former mayor Megan Barry, deputy mayor Brenda Haywood, and many more; and
WHEREAS, AMAC has trained over 30 youths across the state to be the next generation of leaders through the AMAC Youth Leadership Program; and
WHEREAS, AMAC continues to amplify the voices of Tennessee Muslim Community and empowers the community to share their stories in the media; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council congratulate AMAC on its 10 year anniversary and service to its community, city, and state.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the 10th Anniversary of the American Muslim Advisory Council.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.