Washington, DC (PRWEB) May 22, 2014
On Saturday, May 31st, 2014, a who's who among the nation’s growing Muslim community, are set to attend a Black-Tie gala to celebrate nominees and recipients of this year’s Golden Minaret Awards TM #MuslimOscars TM. The affair to be held at the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel & Resort, here in Washington, is expected to attract hundreds of guests including executives, political leaders, and diplomats. Like the Oscars, the Golden Minaret Awards is also set to be filmed and broadcast online to millions in the US and internationally.
A press conference call is planned by the event organizers, the Academy of Muslim Achievement for Friday, May 23 at 10am.
The Golden Minaret Awards was first launched in 2013 coinciding with President Barak Obama’s second inauguration. Unique from the Academy of Motion Pictures Awards, the #MuslimOscars celebrates achievements of Muslims in a variety of areas outside the arts such as law, health care, and charity as well as artistic accomplishments in fashion and other fields.
This year’s Awards have a special meaning to Academy Chairman Talib I. Karim, a Washington, DC lawyer. “All too often, the media is filled with reports of tragedy and concern about those who practice Islam. Yet nearly invisible, are stories of how Muslims in America and around the globe contribute to society,” said Karim.
The Academy’s chair points to the MuslimOscars nominees in the area of law. Three of four nominees are Muslim women. This shows the world, that unlike in some places where women are abducted for seeking an education, in America, women scholars are encouraged and highly regarded by Muslims.
Hosting the Awards Gala are Said Durrah, a Jordian American comedian-activist, and Malika Bilal, a host of Al Jazeera English’s channel’s the Stream. The late South African President Nelson Mandela is being honored by the Academy’s selection of his name in connection with a lifetime achievement award. South African Ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool, has been selected to receive the award and is set to reflect on how Muslims in his country worked with Nelson Mandela to end Apartheid.
The nation’s first Muslim in Congress, Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) are honorary hosts. In addition to hearing and meeting diplomats, business executives, and religious leaders alike, participants can expect to enjoy delicious food, a Marketplace Bazaar, and live performances from artists such as Naeem, a member of the internationally renown group Native Deen. The event will kickoff with all of the glam and excitement that a red carpet encompasses.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available and the global list patrons of the #MuslimOscars include Grove Dental Clinic, Amana Mutual Funds Trust, Banneker Ventures, Islamic Relief, Sahara Dates, and Blueboy Printing. While the list of supporters is growing, the number of available tickets is shrinking fast. For a complete list of nominees, discount tickets and vending information visit http://www.academyofmuslimachievement.com.