The City of Atlanta announced that the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta has awarded Mayor Kasim Reed its first-ever Courage Award in recognition of his support for immigrants, refugees and people of all faiths. The Islamic Speakers Bureau, a metropolitan Atlanta-based non-profit organization, established the Courage Award as a way to recognize civic and business leaders who remain steadfast in their support of vulnerable communities.

Earlier this year, Mayor Reed expressed his support and offered resources for refugees and foreign-born residents through the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. Following the November 8 Presidential election, Mayor Reed reiterated his support for President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program recipients. Mayor Reed is a strong supporter of comprehensive immigration reform which respects the dignity and family ties of immigrants and foreign-born individuals.

“I am honored to receive the inaugural Courage Award from the Islamic Speakers Bureau, an important and respected organization here in Atlanta,” said Mayor Reed. “Every person – no matter their faith or their country of origin – is welcome in Atlanta. They are welcome to bring their dreams, their passions and their contributions to our great city. We will not waver from this position, and will continue to offer every possible support to our foreign-born residents.”

The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta is a dynamic and trusted resource of information about Islam and American Muslims serving the metropolitan Atlanta area and the state of Georgia. Founded in August 2001, the ISB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, apolitical educational organization offering many services including customized presentations, interfaith discussion panels, and interfaith and community engagement. ISB works to increase religious competency to strengthen communities.

“We appreciate Mayor Kasim Reed's courage in declaring Atlanta as a welcoming city for Syrian refugees. Last month, Mayor Reed reaffirmed his commitment and the city's commitment to diversity and inclusion. We also see that he implements initiatives that reinforce that commitment,” said Soumaya Khalifa, Executive Director and Founder of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta.

In 2014, Mayor Reed convened the Welcoming Atlanta Working Group, which included key stakeholders in the Atlanta immigrant and refugee community, to gather recommendations to make Atlanta a more welcoming city for foreign-born residents. These recommendations were institutionalized when Mayor Reed established the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Today, metropolitan Atlanta boasts the second-fastest growing foreign-born population in the United States. The Welcoming Atlanta initiative brings together city government and community leaders to support our newest Atlantans and to ensure that our city remains a global leader in the 21st century. Welcoming Atlanta aims to foster a connected community where all Atlantans can fully participate in civic life, contribute their talents to grow our city’s economy and work together with those entrusted to protect our public safety to make Atlanta a safe and friendly place to live and do business.