Though Imam Faisal Rauf undoubtedly drew the largest crowd at the Confronting Islamophobia conference at St. Mark's Cathedral on May 6, (Click here to view photos from his Friday evening presentation) four speakers from CAIR-WA's Speakers' Bureau also drew a sizeable audience on Saturday afternoon, May 7. The topic of the panel was "What does it mean to be an American Muslim?" and CAIR-WA Civil Rights Coordinator Jennifer Gist moderated.   

Click here to view photos from Saturday's conference

Comprising the compelling panel were Janet Clark, Safaa Darwish , Angelique Godley, and Anita Sulaiman, all of whom are frequent speakers at CAIR-WA hosted panels and events.

The audience was engaged and talkative, despite the enticing afternoon sunshine pouring through windows on Capitol Hill. Audience inquiries included familial responses to conversion, decisions to homeschool, and responses to bigotry, discrimination, and Islamophobia. The hour-long panel seemed far too brief, and several audience members stayed afterwards to chat further with panelists.  

It is clear that the speakers from CAIR-WA's Speakers' Bureau have a tremendous impact on the Seattle community; CAIR-WA hopes for continued opportunities to give these brilliant speakers a platform and extends the most sincere appreciation to all speakers for their dedication.