Memphis Kickoff Meeting

During the weekend of March 25-27, 2011, the American Coalition for Good Government (ACGG) was hosted by Masjid Al-Mu’minun of Memphis, Tennessee to introduce Memphis as the first city in the U.S. to become an affiliate chapter of the ACGG. In preparation for this historic event, Imam Sharif, Resident Imam at Masjid Al-Mu’minun, Imam Wali Shaheed, Regional Coordinator for the Southern Region, and members of Masjid Al-Mu’minum worked closely with the ACGG Steering Committee to develop the ACGG Handbook and a preliminary draft of the ACGG Political Platform. The handbook outlines the goals and objectives of the coalition and contains guidelines for other masajid that want to start an affiliate chapter in their city or region. The event took place at the Memphis Marriott Hotel in Memphis Tennessee, during the final weekend of Masjid Al-Mu’minun’s Muslims in March month-long celebration. This was the masjid’s ninth year hosting the celebration.

On Saturday, March 26, 2011, ACGG Steering Committee members conducted a workshop at the Memphis Marriott Hotel. The workshop included a major presentation on the history, vision, and mission of the ACGG and stressed the importance of getting involved in the political process as a means of addressing local and national issues. Regional coordinators throughout the country were present, as well as, guests from as far as Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York. A highlight of the workshop was the question and answers session when the steering committee had an opportunity to address individual concerns of the guests, and invited them to become active in their local ACGG chapters. Later that day, the steering committee gave a presentation to imams at the Southern Region Imam’s meeting. As a result of the Memphis kick-off, ACGG recruited several masjid liaisons from the surrounding areas, and is currently planning training sessions for regional coordinators and masjid liaisons to prepare them to educate local communities on the following: the importance of community involvement in politics; voting as a civic responsibility; and on governmental structure and the political process.

The ACGG Handbook can be downloaded from this website for free or purchased for a modest fee.