Home > Press Releases > ISNA Enters into Partnership, Establishes Special Fund, Urges Donations to Revitalize Neighborhoods with Green Reentry Project

ISNA Enters into Partnership to Revitalize Neighborhoods with Green Reentry Project

(Plainfield, IN 05/15/2010) - The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is proud to announce our partnership with the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) on the first home of their Green Reentry Project.

The Project is designed to revitalize long-neglected neighborhoods by converting vacant, foreclosed and vandalized properties on Chicago's South Side into vibrant, environmentally sustainable housing. The renovation project will provide on-the-job-training for formerly incarcerated Muslims and subsequently provide them with transitional housing. The Project was one of eight recipients of the "Community Green Jobs" funding from the City of Chicago's Department of Environment.

IMAN, an organization that works closely on issues of criminal justice, believes that with the right resources and opportunities, previously incarcerated individuals can become not only productive members of society, but also leaders capable of restoring their neighborhoods to healthy, stable, and safe communities of life.

While IMAN's work has always been rooted in its local community, its vision to create models of change is geographically boundless.  Rami Nashashibi, the Executive Director of IMAN, sees the collaboration as a practical approach to many problems plaguing urban areas in many of our cities. "We are tremendously excited about the possibilities of this collaboration not for only this particular home, but for the larger community," says Nashashibi.  "Not only will this project have a direct impact on this community, but it will also serve as a strong model for addressing the most pressing and relevant issues facing low income communities."

"It was natural for us to enter into this partnership with IMAN because it afforded us the opportunity to translate our strategic priority of community building and our need to connect with our grassroots into reality," said Imam Mohamed Magid, Vice President of ISNA.  Safaa Zarzour, Secretary General of ISNA, expressed his deep appreciation for IMAN's leadership in improving lives and infrastructures in Chicago's inner city, and hoped that "Chicago is only the beginning for such a pioneering effort."

ISNA has committed to raising $160,000 to fully renovate the first house by its 47th Annual Convention. "This project is the embodiment of the theme of our convention, Nurturing Compassionate Communities: Connecting Faith and Service, so it is only fitting to inaugurate the completed first home during our annual convention," said ISNA President Ingrid Mattson.

ISNA urges its supporters and members of the Muslim community at large to donate generously to this most worthy project. Donors of the project will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the fruits of their support. Prearranged buses will be present at the convention to transport donors to the renovated house located on Chicago's South Side.

About the Islamic Society of North America:

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is an independent, open and transparent membership organization that strives to be an exemplary and unifying Islamic organization in North America by contributing to the betterment of the Muslim community and society at large. ISNA is committed to freedom, to eradicating prejudice and to creating a society where Muslims can live peacefully and prosper alongside other Americans from all walks of life and diverse traditions and faith. Learn more about ISNA here: http://www.isna.net

About the Inner-City Muslim Action Network:

The Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) is a community-based nonprofit in Chicago that works for social justice, delivers a range of direct services, and cultivates the arts in urban communities. Learn more about IMAN here: http://www.imancentral.org

Ma'alam Abdullah, Green Reentry Coordinator
Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN)
2744 W. 63rd Street | Chicago, IL 60629
maalam@imancentral.org
www.imancentral.org
773.434.4626 (office)
773.434.0260 (fax)

Media Contact:

Mohamed Elsanousi, Director of Community Outreach
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
202-544-6767
melsanousi@isna.net

Ahlam Said, Communications Manager
Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN)
Office: 773.434.IMAN(4626)
Fax: 773.303.8858
ahlam@imancentral.org

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