MPAC DC

Muslim Advocates, MPAC, CAIR, ADC: Senate Homeland Security Report Lacks Substantive Analysis, Contradicts Own Recommendations

May 14, 2008

Four of the country's leading Arab-American and Muslim-American advocacy organizations today issued a rare joint letter expressing strong reservations about a recently released Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee report on "homegrown terrorism." The report, issued jointly by Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and ranking member Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), claims that the threat posed by violent extremists now comes "increasingly from within" the U.S.

D.C. News & Views: Penn. Primary Pushes Race into Overtime

April 25, 2008

This week's Pennsylvania primary granted Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) the victory she was hoping would justify her continued bid for the presidency. However, the result of the Pennsylvania vote leaves Democratic Party leaders and American voters alike wondering how long this contest will continue and which candidate will receive the Party's nomination at the Democratic National Convention in August.

Muslim Americans Call for Serious Dialogue with Pope Benedict XVI

April 17, 2008

In an interfaith meeting today with Pope Benedict XVI, Muslim American leaders delivered a letter calling for meaningful dialogue on Muslim-Catholic issues. An initiative of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), the letter called for vital engagement between the head of the Catholic Church and Muslim Americans.

Congress Wants Iraqis to Pay for U.S. War

April 12, 2008

In the months leading up to the Iraq war and following its launch in March 2003, MPAC has condemned the U.S.-led invasion and has expressed great concern about innocent Iraqi civilians who have burdened more than their share of deaths. MPAC has also voiced concern about the stability of Iraq and the region, as well as the safety of American troops.

D.C. News & Views: In Search of Real Dialogue With the Pope

April 11, 2008

Next week, Pope Benedict XVI will be making his first official visit to the United States since becoming Pope in 2005. Unfortunately, his meeting with interfaith leaders comes amidst two years of tumultuous relations with the global Muslim community.

D.C. News & Views: Alternative Voices Left Unheard In Senate Hearing

April 04, 2008

Between 2001-2005, a handful of U.S.-based humanitarian and relief organizations were shut down amidst charges that donor contributions were being sent overseas supposedly to support terrorist groups. While not a single charity has been found guilty of such charges, Muslim American donors have grown increasingly cautious about fulfilling their religious obligation to give to charity.

D.C. News & Views: No Surprises in Cheney's Unannounced Trip to Iraq

March 28, 2008

This week, Vice President Dick Cheney wrapped up his tour of the Middle East for discussions about what the White House termed "issues of mutual interest." The outcome, however, leaves many wanting a new direction for U.S. policy in the region.

Civil Rights Advocates Urge Dept. of Justice to Honor Al-Arian Plea Agreement

March 26, 2008

In a meeting today with Department of Justice officials, civil rights advocates and community-based organizations called on federal prosecutors to honor their plea agreement with a former Univ. of Florida professor acquitted on terrorism-related charges in 2005. Dr. Sami Al-Arian agreed to a 2006 plea agreement with federal prosecutors on the condition that he not be required to testify against others and that he be released for deportation after the end of his current sentence.

Contact Department of Justice to Honor Plea Agreement for Dr. Sami Al-Arian

March 24, 2008

Dr. Sami Amin Al-Arian, a former Florida university professor, was arrested in 2003 by the U.S. government, on charges of funding terrorism. In December of 2005, he was acquitted on 8 of the 17 charges brought against him. In April of 2006, Dr. Al-Arian pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy and had all the other charges dropped. He agreed to be deported. However, Dr. Al-Arian's incarceration was extended thereafter for refusing to testify against former associates.

D.C. News & Views: Fissure Points Along America's Religious & Racial Mosaic

March 21, 2008

This week, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) delivered a speech at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center in which he challenged Americans to take a closer look at race relations in the United States.

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