TIA-MS DELEGATES ATTEND NATIONAL MEETING      Two Mississippi TIA leaders attended the Fifth Annual National Leadership Gathering in Washington, DC, March 23-26, 2001.     Tariq Abdul-Mu'min and Milton Grishman of TIA-MS joined some 50 other delegates from TIA chapters around the country to learn more about issues and challenges facing the national and local organizations.     Beginning his fourth year with TIA, Executive Director Ref. Dr. Weldon Gaddy called President Bush's plan for a White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Organizations "a turning point in the relationship between religious institutions and government."  TIA released a very critical report on Presdent Bush's "charitable choice" plan, entitled KEEPING THE FAITH.  The guide is co-sponsored by the Baptist Joint Committee.     At the Sunday morning session, Tariq led a Muslim reading in the interfaith worship service.  At the Sunday evening banquet, the First Annual Bishop P. Francis Murphy Local Activism Award was presented to Regina Wurst and Kamal Abu-Shamsieh of TIA of Central California.  Their projects include "Stop the Hate" vigils and July 4th picnics.     Monday afternoon was filled with TIA delegates' lobbying visits to Congressional offices on Capitol Hill.  Tariq and Milt visited offices of Congressman Gene Taylor and Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott, to urge support for the passage of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the McCain-Feingold-Cochran Campaign Finance Reform Bill. 
    Regina Wurst      Kamal Abu-Shamsieh      Tariq Abdul Mu'min      Milton Grishman