Hundreds of Muslims from Kentucky will converge on Wednesday for the first-ever “Muslim Day” at the state capitol Frankfort where they will get the chance to voice their opinions on a slew of subjects, including politics.
Waheeda Muhammad, chair of the Kentucky Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), said the event aims to familiarize Muslims with government works, to bring them together with their representatives and make their voices heard.
“We want Muslims to know that they need to be involved. Part of being a good citizen is meeting your representatives, letting them hear your voice and participating in government,” Muhammad told WKU Public Radio.
With the event, Muslims will be encouraged to engage in politics and participate in government. They will also receive education to express themselves in order to shed light on the misinterpretations shrouding the Islamic faith, as well as learn how to advocate on issues affecting the Muslim community. Some visitors even plan to advocate to pass stronger anti-bullying laws.
“One thing that really helps is for people to know a Muslim one-on-one, and that’s part of encouraging Muslims to get out, to be involved in society, because if people know you personally, that’s their image of Islam,” Muhammad said.
The number of Muslims in Kentucky has been increasing since 1960 and doubled each decade since then. Immigration from all over the Muslim world and conversion to Islam, largely by African-Americans, are the major reasons for population growth. There are currently 37 mosques and three Muslim schools in Kentucky.
"The event is not government-sanctioned. This is 100 percent planned and funded by the Kentucky Muslim community. No funding for this is coming from outside of Kentucky, and no funding for this is coming from anywhere other than the Muslim community,” Muhammad added.
Muslims from all over the state will visit the building, meet with lawmakers and also pray in the Rotunda.
“The Muslim community is a positive contributor to the health and economic well-being of Kentucky, with Muslims serving as doctors, professors, auto workers, small business owners, and in numerous other professions,” a resolution in the Kentucky House of Representatives says.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, one of the world’s most famous Muslims, hails from Kentucky.
