This convention is for all peace partners. Please circulate widely. Reserve you seat today by sending us an email at
samina_faheem@yahoo.com. Hope to see all of you on August 20th 2006. Thanks, Samina
American Muslim Voice Foundation
creating a culture of peace, acceptance, mutual respect and harmony
Email: amvoice@amuslimvoice.org
Website: www.amuslimvoice.org
3rd Annual Convention
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Heroes
Why does AMV wants the world to honor these Ordinary People?
AMV -foundation celebrates resilience and believes in non-violent solutions to achieve global peace. AMV strives to
create a culture of peace, acceptance, mutual respect and harmony. It is in this spirit that we are delighted to
introduce three people who turned their pain into something that heals and creates peace, rather than continuing the
pointless cycle of violence. In my opinion losing a child is the most difficult tragedy one can face. These special
people have lost their beloved children to random acts of violence. Such heroes include John and Bev Titus, the parents
of 28-year-old flight attendant Alicia Titus who died on United Airlines Flight 175 five years ago on Sept 11th 2001.
They have set aside their grief with the aim of promoting peace among the families of victims around the world.
Azim Khamisa, whose son, Tariq Khamisa was shot and killed while delivering pizzas almost a decade ago has done exactly
the same.
They are ordinary people whose choices make them extraordinary heroes. They are working towards peace building in loving
memories of their children. That is why AMV-Foundation would like the whole world to hear their stories, be inspired by
their choices and walk with them to build peace in our world.
Please join us in honoring our extraordinary heroes.
By Adeel Iqbal
Berkeley, CA
The parents of a victim of the Sept. 11 attacks. A man who joined hands with the grandfather of the teen who killed his
son. A lawyer who fights against the infringement of civil liberties every day. A woman who is leading the charge to
create national departments of peace around the world and a Muslim organization that has made its mission to form global
partnerships to create culture of peace, acceptance, mutual respect and harmony in our world.
This years American Muslim Voice convention on the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11 brings together an amazing group
of peacemakers: those who have experienced grief first-hand and channeled that grief into action. The theme, Ordinary
People, Extraordinary Heroes, is only fitting. Such heroes include John and Bev Titus, the parents of 28-year-old
flight attendant Alicia Titus who died on United Airlines Flight 175 five years ago on Sept 11th.
They have set aside their grief with the aim of promoting peace among the families of victims around the world. Azim
Khamisa, whose son, Tariq Khamisa was shot and killed while delivering pizzas almost a decade ago has done exactly the
same. Khamisa has joined hands with the grandfather and family of his sons killer to promote a culture of peace and
understanding specifically among Americas youth. To honor my son I thought I had to do something more positive,
Khamisa says. Instead of grieving, I was advised that I should give.
The AMV convention, on Aug. 20th 2006 at Newarks Chandni Restaurant, honors these heroes and highlights the
peace-building and community development work that has taken place since Sept. 11, 2001.
Established in 2003, AMV fosters a culture of nonviolence and has been paramount in the development of genuine and
effective community partnerships, both on the national and local level. The organization fights against the abuse of
civil liberties and educates fellow Americans about misconception of Islam and Muslims first-hand. "In order to create a
culture of peace, acceptance, mutual respect and harmony in our world we must join hands with all peace loving human
being and continue to educate all others for our kids sake," says Khalid Saeed, national president of AMV.
AMV-Foundation President, Samina Faheem Sundas echoes the same remarks. "We all share this beautiful planet and belong
to one race - the human race," she says. We should get to know each other, learn to accept and respect one another and
should celebrate our diversity." AMV has made this it's mission. "By approaching our fellow Americans with open minds,
honesty, love, and compassion, we have broken countless barriers," Sundas adds. "Yet many barriers still remain in place
and much remains to be done.
Convention speaker Shirin Sinnar who fights cases of deportation and infringement on civil liberties will explain what
remains undone. Sinnar has seen high school children interrogated by federal officials inside their classes. She has
seen families torn apart through immigration enforcement. Changing these situations is her drive. My goal is to ensure
that the rights that we value as Americans are actually lived and practiced, she says.
The same is true for Grace Shimizu, the daughter of a Japanese World War II internee. Change can only be brought about
through action, she says. And change can only occur if we reexamine our mistakes of the past. She will share these
mistakes and provide a perspective on how to correct them.
Dot Maver, the executive director of the national Peace Alliance, who is advocating for the development of a federal
department of peace not only in the US but in every nation of the world, says the time for action is now. It does not
matter what our race color or creed, it is a time to connect with one another, not to convince one another. Maver will
demonstrate how each person can get involved in peace-building. All of the speakers preach and embody acts of peace.
Each shows that sitting on the sidelines accomplishes nothing. Each is an inspiration to follow. John Titus best
embodies the spirit of these individuals and that of AMV with the following statement: If I can make a difference in
some small way, that gives me hope.
Join us on Aug. 20th 2006 to commemorate the 5th anniversary of Sept 11. It is our duty to honor the families of the
victims and those who have made it their cause to transform the world into one of peace.
Adeel Iqbal is a junior at UC Berkeley, Board member of the American Muslim Voice and former editor in chief of the Cal
Daily.
Limited seating. Please purchase your ticket.
When: Sunday - August 20th, 2006
11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: Chandni 5748 Mowry School Road Newark, CA 94560
Ticket price $25.00 (Includes Luncheon)
Special request: Could you please enrich this event by dressing in your traditional clothing?
We are very grateful for your support and friendship. Looking forward to see you.The AMV Team
For more information or to purchase a ticket please call:
visit www.amuslimvoice.org
AMV- Foundation is committed to form global partnerships to create a culture of peace, acceptance, mutual respect and
harmony in the world.
About American Muslim Voice: We are a grassroots, nonviolent, very inclusive, civil, immigrant and human rights
organization building alliances and genuine partnership with like minded groups and individuals to protect and preserve
civil liberties and constitutional rights for ALL. Our goal is to bridge the gap between all communities
ENDS