Salaam Saturday: Promoting Peace in South Shore

Salaam Saturday 2008, an event planned and sponsored by Richard Muhammad and the South Shore Youth and Community Project, was kicked off June 7 at Parkside Community Academy's playground. Salaam Saturday is devoted to community building by offering a day of peace with music, food, face painting and fun for youth, adults and families while claiming the playground as a public space for healthy interaction. This is the second year Salaam Saturday has been in existence.

The monthly play days are a proactive approach to creating unity and promoting peace. The next Salaam Saturday is tentatively scheduled for July 12 at Parkside's playground, located at 71st St. and East End Ave., just 2 1/2 blocks east of Stony Island Avenue.

Sensei James Muhammad and other representatives of the United Schools of Survival led youth in martial arts exercises and Def was our deejay.

A big thanks went out to Volunteers Demetrice Willis, and teenagers Tianna Barnett and Tiara Barnett; Final Call assistant editor Ashahed Muhammad and his family for helping out; Abdul Bah, who gave out some lessons in soccer; Robyn Washington, who sent a donation from Baltimore, Md.; the Chicago-based Black United Fund’s David Robinson, who dropped off a donation for the day, Washington Park resident Jameszetta James and J. Michael Carr, of Fathers for the Future, and his family who stopped by to lend some hands as volunteers.

To see beautiful photos by Final Call photographer Kenneth Muhammad, visit http://straightwords.typepad.com/photos/salaam_saturday_08/index.html

For more information, to join us or provide support, contact Richard Muhammad at 773-616-5058, or e-mail straightwords@sbcglobal.net.