AMP holds first high school training of 2012

(CHICAGO 02/13/2011) -- Continuing in its highly successful high school training program, the American Muslims for Palestine held its first school training of 2012 at the Islamic Foundation School in Villa Park, IL, where students were joined by pupils from the College Preparatory School of America. In all, about 200 10th through 12th-graders participated in the half-day workshop that had sessions on the Islamic significance of Palestine; history; activism and media training.

Though most students initially seemed uninformed about Palestine, they soon became engaged in the topic and began showering speaker with a multitude of questions about occupation, U.S. support for Israel and Zionism.

“It’s true that our mission is to educate the general American public, but it is also important to realize that many Muslims are also unaware of what is really happening in Palestine,” said Awad Hamdan, AMP national programs director. “For Muslims who grew up here, there is not that much accurate or balanced information in the media. So it’s imperative that we begin to educate the Muslims community as well.”

Speakers for the event included Sheikh Abool Rahman Khan, imam of the Islamic Foundation in Villa Park; and AMP employees Awad Hamdan, Programs Director, Kristin Szremki, director of media and communications; and Julia Salameh, marketing director.

Similar training events are planned for high schools in Chicago’s northern suburbs, in Milwaukee, Wisc., and elsewhere. If you would like your school to participate, please contact Rami Bleibel at [email protected] .