February 21, 2013

On Jan. 26, MPAC’s Western New York chapter held its annual meeting on “Our Civil Rights and Civil Liberties."  

SEE: Photo Album of MPAC-WNY’s Annual Dinner (facebook.com)

MPAC-WNY and its annual meeting have become staples of the active American Muslim community in Buffalo.

The Islamic Center of Amherst was packed with community members for the conversation facilitated by Dr. Khalid Qazi, chair of MPAC-WNY and MPAC board member. Focusing on post-9/11 national security laws and their impact on the American Muslim community, the dinner brought together two of the brightest minds, Aisha Rahman, the executive director of KARAMAH, and Haris Tarin, Director of MPAC’s Washington, DC, office, to speak about these pressing issues. 

The panelists talked about how communities can have their voices heard on many of these difficult topics, and underscored that the key to ensuring local communities are aware of their rights is facilitating their involvement in the civic and political process. 

The symposium was followed by a presentation, "Somalia: The Rebirth of a Nation - An Eyewitness Account," by Dr. Abdiweli M. Ali, who recently completed his term as Somali Prime Minister. Ali, who is also a economist and politician, has since returned to his position as an Associate Professor of Economics at Niagara University.  

Based in Buffalo, New York, MPAC-WNY is aligned with MPAC's national work for the civil rights of American Muslims, the integration of Islam into American pluralism, and a positive, constructive relationship between American Muslims and their representatives. If you are in the Western New York area and would like to get involved with MPAC, contact Dr. Khalid Qazi at kqazi@mpac.org.