(LOS ANGELES, March 4, 2004) - At the request of the White House, Islamic Center of Southern California Chairman and MPAC board member Ramsey Hakim attended the White House Conference on the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (FBCI) this week, in Los Angeles. The conference, attended by religious and political leaders across the spectrum was organized by the Administration to empower the social work done in the various communities.

In the presence of Los Angeles Mayor, James Hahn, City Councilmen and County Supervisors and a group of interfaith leaders, President Bush spoke of the importance of the initiatives and stressed how the end-result of such work ends up saving lives. In his speech to the interfaith leaders, President Bush also praised what he called "social entrepreneurs", or individuals who are willing to create social programs of their own volition that help others. Bush went on to say that these leaders carry out the "work of God" and that they should look to the federal government for support to continue those efforts.

Office of the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Director, Jim Towey, discussed the type of programs the Administration will support while simultaneously maintaining America's tradition of separation of church and state.

Speaking to Mr. Hakim, President Bush said that he "considers the involvement of the Muslim community to be critical in this program and that he would welcome it". Director Towey supplied Mr. Hakim with a better understanding of precisely how the American Muslim community could more successfully tap into those resources to support existing social programs or launch new ones.