MPAC Hosts Back-to-back Capitol Hill Briefings

March 4, 2011

After its "Confrontation or Protection: Muslims, Law Enforcement and National Security," forum last month, MPAC kicked off the month of March by co-sponsoring and participating in back-to-back Capitol Hill events Wednesday on issues relating to foreign policy and American pluralism.

DC Office Director Haris Tarin attended and provided opening remarks at the “Transition to Meaningful Democracy in Egypt,” event, which was co-sponsored with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. The briefing highlighted the potential trajectory of Egypt’s post-Mubarak era, and panelists discussed the key factors affecting a successful transition such as constitutional reforms, individual freedoms, electoral reforms and freedom of the press.

Meanwhile, Government and Policy Analyst Alejandro J. Beutel participated in an event co-sponsored with the Arab American Institute -- “Islamophobia: A Challenge to American Pluralism.” The briefing provided a look into the enterprise behind Islamophobia and identifying some of its key figures. The various panelists focused on different impacts and drivers of Islamophobia ranging from foreign policy and electoral outcomes to profit motives of certain notorious personalities.

For his part, Beutel focused on the affect of bigoted for-profit law enforcement trainers and their negative impact on relations with Muslim American communities. Beutel noted that practical effect of these biased trainers lends itself to “the demonization and criminalization of an entire American faith community here in our nation.” He added that accusations of “creeping Sharia”, frequently taught by these biased trainers, “is McCarthy-like in its content. Only instead of the Communist threat and subversion, it's the Muslim threat and the implementation of Sharia.”

MPAC is planning hold at least one more briefing within the coming weeks, focusing on how charities and civil society combat terrorism and tyranny. The event will be done in conjunction with the Charities and Security Network.