July 1, 2010

National Muslim American Young Leaders Summit

MPAC's yearly National Muslim American Young Leaders Summit is designed to enhance the civic identity of the participants, and to redefine the image and provide a voice of young Muslim American leaders among the policymaking and opinion-shaping community.

On July 13-17, 2010, the Muslim Public Affairs Council will hold its 4th annual National Muslim American Young Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. providing 25 of the nation's top young leaders exposure to the inner workings of the nation's capitol, and simultaneously provide government officials and congressional leaders with the opportunity to learn what is on the minds of young Muslim Americans.

Following is the testimony of one of MPAC's 2009 NMAYL Summit alumni, Lana El-Farra.

Last summer, I was privileged to be able to visit our nation's capital with 14 other young Muslim American leaders. One year later, MPAC's National Muslim American Young Leaders Summit continues to impact my everyday life. I went to the summit unsure of what to expect. I was hesitant to participate; scared that my youth might in fact hinder me from fully engaging in the meetings, discussions, and visits MPAC had scheduled during those four packed days in D.C.

At the time, I was a new intern at MPAC and didn't have much of a background in public policy or in global affairs. However, I eventually found myself contributing my thoughts and ideas to the discussions. Meeting with Paul Montiero, a young official working in the White House as the Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement, helped me realize that age does not matter. His talk inspired me to take a more active role in the Summit, such as when I asked Senator Feingold on his reasons for voting against the Patriot Act. I felt empowered and astonished that I, a high school student, was able to ask Senator Feingold his views on something as critical as basic human rights. I definitely was no expert at shaping my ideas into words, but the National Summit set me off on a path that led me to be an active participant in student government as well as a member of the Muslim Youth Group Board at the Islamic Center of Southern California. The advice and hands-on experience I acquired at the Summit influenced me in several ways.

We had the opportunity to meet with Senators, members of Congress, senior officials from the Department of Homeland Security, think tanks, White House staff, and many more. Yet MPAC did not let us go into these meetings unprepared. The staff prepped us on how to put our thoughts into words, how to present our questions, and how to stand out as young Muslim American leaders.

I didn't just use those skills while in Washington D.C., I took them back with me and applied them at school and at the mosque. I now knew how to approach possible speakers for the youth group without feeling shy or self conscious. I learned how to approach a topic that may seem difficult within student government and how to present it to school officials. I also learned that being young doesn't mean I can't learn and grow just as much as anyone else. I have the capabilities to succeed in anything I set my mind on. The National Summit taught me all of this.

In the past year, the issue I have become most passionate about is the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians living under occupation. Today, I find myself working with MPAC to educate and inform the American public on the injustices occurring in Gaza as a result of Operation "Cast Lead" and the ongoing blockade. I've continued to be an active member of my Muslim community. My passion for speaking against the inhumane treatment of those living in Gaza has driven me back to the MPAC office ready to speak up and to use the skills I acquired last summer. Today, I am not afraid to voice my opinions or ideas. Today, I've become the woman I am because of the National Young Muslim Leaders Summit.