September 24, 2003

The welcoming address was delivered by Ron K. Wakabayashi, Regional Director for the Community Relations Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Deborah Yang, U.S. Attorney, Lieutenant Fred Booker, Los Angeles Police Department and Dr. Hany Atchan, Executive Director of the Islamic Center of Southern California. Kicking off the first half of the training, Salam Al-Marayati, Executive Director of MPAC, and Edina Lekovic, Managing Editor of The Minaret, presented a comprehensive overview of Islam, the Muslim and Arab communities, and the tenants of the faith that serve to establish guidelines for the relationship with law enforcement. A video presentation paved the way into the next section, where Nirijan Khalsa from the California Sikh Council addressed and dispelled common misperceptions of Sikhs and Sikhism, while shedding light to this monotheistic faith.

Cultural sensitivity trainings are a major component of hate crimes prevention, for they directly address the root of hate through education.

Furthermore, community partnership serves break barriers between law enforcement, agencies under the Department of Homeland Security and the Muslim, Arab and Sikh communities in the post-9/11 era, communities that have experienced increased interaction with law enforcement since 9/11. Today's event outreached to local and federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement that spanned from Los Angeles to Glendale to El Cajon.

The event was one in a series of trainings that help to further cultivate a strong relationship between the American Muslim community and law enforcement.

The Islamic Center of Southern California generously hosted the milestone event.

MPAC looks forward to future trainings that will further develop the understanding of Islam and Muslims in America.