Muslim Capitol Day

Annual Capitol Day in Lansing Engages Muslims, Lawmakers

Imam Mika’il Saadiq of Al Aqaba Islamic Center in Detroit gave the invocation to open the State Senate

By Saim Raza and Ismail Ali

Picture:State Representative Rashida Tlaib talking to Muslim youth

On May 28th, Muslims from across Michigan came to Lansing for the annual Michigan Muslim Capitol Day. The  Michigan Muslim Community Council organized this year’s Michigan Capitol Day, and almost 200 participants came to events on the Capitol Lawn and inside the main Rotunda for the State House. 

Among the many highlights of the day was listening to Sister Catherine Ziyad, Board member of the Muslim Center of Detroit and the Huda Clinic, which provides free health care to Detroit residents, give the invocation to open the legislative session for the Michigan State House. Imam Mika’il Saadiq of the Al Aqaba Islamic Community Center in Detroit gave the invocation to open the State Senate.
In his invocation, he asked everybody to reflect that our Lord has “created us of many intellects and persuasions, made us into many shades of skin you choose, and endowed all people with dignity; so that we may understand one another.”

Several Islamic schools, including Canton’s Crescent Academy, Greater Lansing Islamic School and students from Flints Islamic school, sent dozens of students to witness the great event live. One of the young students Noor Mansour led the guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. Michigan’s President of the Board of Education, John Austin, addressed the students, stating, “One of you could be the next president of the United States.”

In the heart of the State Capitol Building, many elected officials welcomed the Muslim community. Harvey Santana (D-Detroit) stated, “This is your House!” He described his strong support of the Muslim community and his taking of “an [anti-Sharia] bill and throwing it in the trash”. State Rep. George Durany (D-Dearborn) had effusive praise for Muslim community.  He stated his deep appreciation of the hard work of the Muslim community and its “education and advocacy [to] establish social justice” in the state. The Governor’s Senior Advisor, Dick Posthumous, recognized the diversity and contributions of Michigan’s Muslim community. A Turkish troupe entertained the crowd.

Leaders of many local groups, including CAIR-Michigan, Muslim Family Services, Huda Clinic, Zaman International, and local mosques also addressed the audience. Ahmed Bedier from United Voices of America also participated. The message that the Muslim community is strong, engaged and working to make Michigan a better place resonated deeply.

Muslim Capitol Day in Michigan has been a fixture for many years. Amina Iqbal, the Civic Engagement Coordinator for MMCC, was pleased with the increased participation from both Democrats and the Republicans. She arranged for traditional desserts boxes for each of the offices and coordinated a lunch with the legislators and their staff.  “This is just the beginning; we will be following up with all the representatives over the next few weeks.”

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