Tarin Connects with European Muslims

April 14, 2011

Muslim communities in Europe and the US face some of the same challenges in a climate of increased Islamphobia and anti-Muslim rhetoric. The lessons that can be learned by both communities from each other’s experiences is one of the reasons that led MPAC’s Director of the Washington, DC, Office Haris Tarin to visit the United Kingdom. On his trip, Tarin was able to engage Muslim communities and talk about challenges and opportunities.

The trip, hosted by a State Department exchange program, allowed Muslim Americans to share their experiences in civic and political engagement with their counterparts to develop strong partnerships and enhance civic participation.

Tarin was able to meet with diverse groups of British Muslims who are working on groundbreaking projects that will help facilitate a strong sense of civic identity. Tarin met with a group of young Muslims who are working to re-integrate ex-offenders into society to ensure that they have the means to obtain jobs and rebuild their lives.

Anti-Muslims sentiments are rising at an alarming rate in both Europe and the U.S. The Islamophobic cottage industry has been able to coordinate its efforts on a trans-atlantic level and is trying to build a narrative of fear around issues such as shariah.

Muslim in Europe and the U.S. have an opportunity to work together to build a strong civic identity which will counter the negative messages coming from groups who seek to marginalize our communities. It is time, we work on some of these issues together.

- Marium F. Mohiddin
(Marium@mpac.org)
Communications Coordinator