Today in Santa Clara: A Tribute To Marla Ruzicka

American Muslim Voice

Justice for all



Email: amvoice [at] amuslimvoice.org Website: http://www.amuslimvoice.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Media Advisory - June 10Th, 2005



Samina Faheem Sundas -- (650) 387-1994 (cell)

Amina Ansari – (408) 986-9874



A Tribute To Marla Ruzicka





American Muslim Voice along with CAIR, MCA, Bay Area Muslims, Arabs and fellow Americans will honor the life and work of Marla Ruzicka.



SANTA CLARA, CA – Marla Ruzicka was killed in Baghdad on April 16, 2005 by a car-bomb blast in Baghdad. She was a tireless humanitarian and defender of human rights. The Bay Area Muslim community is hosting an inter-faith dinner to commemorate her service of activism in the Bay Area, and most recently in Afghanistan and Iraq.



Originally from Lake port, CA, this long-time Bay Area resident worked to soften the impact of US military intervention on civilians abroad. She helped distributes humanitarian supplies in Afghanistan. In Iraq, she founded an organization to determine the needs of Iraqi civilians affected by the US invasion – an essential service for the international humanitarian community.



Many in the Muslim community, and the Bay Area at-large, were saddened by her death. “Her drive to help those in need is an inspiration for all of us,” said Amina Ansari, a program manager at the Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.



Samina Faheem Sundas, founder of the American Muslim Voice stated that “the best way to honor Marla is to follow her example of serving others regardless of their religious and national backgrounds.”



Friday June 10Th. Time: 6:30 pm. Where: 3003 Scott Blvd,
Santa Clara Muslim Community Association


It is hosted by the American Muslim Voice (AMV), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and the Muslim Community Association (MCA)



The event is co-sponsored by 21 diverse organizations:



Al-Qalam Institute

American Friends Service Committee

Amnesty International

Blossom Valley Muslim Community Center

Chandni Restaurant, Newark, CA

Friends Committee On National Legislation

Global Exchange

Interfaith Freedom Foundation

Islamic Society of East Bay

Islamic Society of Monterey

Islamic Society Of San Francisco

Mehran Restaurant Newark, CA

Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice

Rahima Foundation

Salam Cola

Semah Inc.

South Bay Islamic Association

South Bay Mobilization

Tri-City Peace & Justice

United Muslims of America

Zafran Restaurant, Santa Clara, CA