Catholic Schools Opposing Racism (COR)

The student organization COR (Catholic Schools Opposing Racism) is proud to announce Ailia Ali, a senior at Mount Assisi Academy, the winner of the 2006 COR Courage & Solidarity Award. COR recognizes Ailia Ali for her outstanding actions and witness to unity and hope among the student body of her school in the wake of the terror attacks of 9-11 and for her continued sharing of her Muslim faith in a search for common understanding and unity. In her award application, Ailia wrote of her nervousness when, as the lone Muslim at her school, she first spoke to her fellow students about her faith that seemed so “different” from the rest of the student body:

I walked up to the podium and began to talk, first about the Five Pillars of Islam, and then about Islamic culture. Slowly, my voice gained strength. The stares did not seem harsh, rather they seemed curious. They actually wanted to know who I was. Suddenly, the room exploded with questions as the girls wanted to know how it felt to be a Muslim after September 11, what truly was jihad, and were Muslims really terrorists? I was expecting these questions and answered them in a way that gave justice to my religion. A couple of days later, a senior walked up to me in the hallway and told me something that changed my life forever, “Thank you so much for telling me who you truly are. If it weren’t for you, I would never have understood your religion. You have changed the way I think about Muslims.”

The Courage & Solidarity Award is presented by COR to a high school student who has demonstrated courage and passion in bringing people together for the common good in their school community or neighborhood. The award will be presented to Ailia Ali during the Archdiocesan-wide COR in Concert at Old St. Patrick’s Church on January 18 at 7pm.

COR is in its 9th year and hosts programs and events that celebrate diversity and teach inclusive behaviors. COR serves the 40 high schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago and also reaches out to elementary schools with some of its programs.

For more information about COR and the
COR Courage & Solidarity Award
contact Suzanne Wille, COR Coordinator,
at 708-458-7600, x205.

>Download a flyer (PDF format)
> Read more about the event and view a slideshow
_______________________________

COR is sponsored by Queen of Peace High School, a Sinsinawa Dominican-sponsored school for young women; the Sinsinawa Dominican Fund; Angels Studio, a communications ministry of the Chicago Province of the Society of the Divine Word; and the Augustine Stewardship Fund Trust of St. Norbert Abbey. COR is also endorsed by the Chicago Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools.