19 Years of Honoring
Voices of Courage & Conscience
Karan Johar, Director of 'My Name is Khan',
shares what inspired him to make the film
About the Media Awards
The Media Awards honors artists, actors, activists and executives who use art and media to create enriching and humanizing portrayals of Islam and Muslims, promote diversity and social justice issues, and inspire action.
Sponsorships
Reach out to a unique audience of professionals, entrepreneurs and community members by sponsoring one of the most unique events in America. Download the sponsorship package [8MB PDF file] for more information.
Overview
The 19th annual MPAC Foundation Media Awards Gala will honor:
- Director KARAN JOHAR for the groundbreaking Bollywood film "My Name is Khan", blending of love story with the harsh realities of being a South Asian Muslim in the U.S. post-9/11
- Pulitzer-nominated author DAVE EGGERS for his bestseller "Zeitoun" about a Muslim American family facing the fallout of Hurricane Katrina
- First-time writer/director CHERIEN DABIS for her award-winning independent film "Amreeka" about a family of Palestinian immigrants grappling with intolerance and identity against the backdrop of the 1991 Gulf War
- ABC TELEVISION for a touching episode of "Grey's Anatomy" called "Give Peace a Chance" featuring a Muslim character in a positive role
The gala dinner, which honors "voices of courage and conscience" in the entertainment industry, will take place on Saturday, May 1st at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, CA.
"We are thrilled to be able to recognize these talented and inspirational voices for bringing humanizing and multi-dimensional portrayals of Muslims to millions of television and film viewers," said MPAC Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati.
The gala dinner, a one of a kind event in the Muslim American community, draws over 600 Muslim Americans, entertainment industry executives, public officials as well as civic and interfaith leaders to celebrate achievements in bridging the arts with activism and social change.
In an effort to promote positive and accurate portrayals of Islam and Muslims, MPAC Foundation each year recognizes voices of courage and conscience who are the best in their field. Since 1991, MPAC Foundation has honored artists, actors, authors, and activists for their artistic contributions to promoting diversity and inspiring action.
Some of our past honorees include:
- "The Kite Runner"
- "Charlie Wilson's War"
- "The Visitor"
- The creators of "Aliens In America"
- "Little Mosque on the Prairie"
- "An Inconvenient Truth"
- "Syriana"
- "Paradise Now"
- South Asian rock band "Junoon" founder Salman Ahmad
- Morgan Spurlock for the "30 Days" episode "Muslims and America" & the film "Where in the World is Osama bin Laden"
- the Allah Made Me Funny Muslim Comedy Tour
- Director Spike Lee
- Author Karen Armstrong
- NBA star Hakeem Olajuwan
- Yusuf Islam and the producers of VH1's "Behind the Music"
- Michael Moore
- Alec Baldwin
About the Hollywood Bureau
MPAC's Hollywood Bureau serves as a resource and ally to television networks, film studios, screenwriters and the creative community at large. Our Hollywood Liaison regularly provides expertise and consultation in order to enhance accuracy and sensitivity of portrayals related to Islam, Muslims and socio-political issues. Recent projects have included Disney's upcoming "Prince of Persia" and the CW sitcom "Aliens in America."
About the Muslim Public Affairs Council
Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim Americans.