P.O. Box 484 Chicogo, lL 60690 Tel 3l 2. 212.

1520

Assalaumu Alaikum,

I am excited to announce the launch of what one reporter has described as one of the most important and most bold educational campaigns in the history of American Muslim activism. It is a campaign that will help take back the public conversation about Islam, by reclaiming one of its most important concepts that has been hijacked, misdefined, and forced into a negative frame by extremists of all sides: the concept of Jihad. Introducing the #MyJihad national educstional campaign.
For many, Jihad has become synonymous with terrorism, blowing up things, and spilling innocent blood. For many others, including members of the media and academia, it is often mistranslated simply as "holy war." The campaign focuses on bringing back the real and larger meaning of Jihad. (as which means "to struggle towards improvement." While the struggle for justice may be physical the a last resort, and even then it ought to be a just struggle that goes above and beyond observing the self, a fact often universal code of conduct and rules of engagement), the greatest Jihad is that of ignored by, or unknown to, many'

#MyJihad involves an educational social media component on Twitter, Facebook, B1ogs, Websites, other ideaS, and youtube, as well as public advertising campaigns on trains and buses, ambng many that showcase the daily struggles of everyday Muslims.
be We are pleased to inform you that the ads have just started appearing on Chicago buses, soon to followed by New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco in the following weeks. We are also hoping to launch in Seattle and Houston soon. It's a campaign started locally right here in Chicago but has gone national and could go global.

have said The feedback from focus groups has been humbling. Many who are not familiar with Islam way, a word they that this campaign helped them understand the real meaning of Jihad in a personal journalists, working suburban had previously seen as negative and frightening. We have heard from cammoms, students, and others from urban and remote areas that have encouraged us to take this paign all over the States and have even donated in support'
please read the enclosed brochure carefully and do your part in reclaiming your concepts, your hostage faith, and your conversation. Our children deserve to live in societies in which they are not education' to hate and misunderstanding. Nothing overcomes fear and ignorance like outreach and Please support this campaign by sending in your donation envelope today!

Ahmed Rehab