July 10, 2015
As Ramadan approaches, we look to the Quran for guidance in fulfilling our oblications for giving zakat (alms). Every year, many questions arise about who and what organizations can receive zakat. Surah At-Tawba speaks about zakat in a practical way and clearly outlines the paramenters.
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READ MOREDecember 11, 2014
This week, Attorney General Eric Holder released the revised “Guidance Regarding the Use of Race by Federal Law Enforcement Agencies,” expanding the guidance to now include a ban on religion, national origin, sexual orientation and gender. While this week’s release was welcomed by MPAC and other national civil rights and faith-based organizations working to improve federal profiling guidance, it included troubling exemptions and loopholes. -
READ MORENovember 26, 2014
Last night’s decision not to indict Darren Wilson for fatally shooting 18-year-old unarmed Michael Brown came as an immense disappointment to many. There are on-going issues that we as Americans need to deal with as a result of years of institutional racism and systemic biases toward communities of color. -
READ MORENovember 21, 2014
The continued rising tensions in Jerusalem between Israelis and Palestinians is feeding the environment of animosity that already exists as a result of aggressive Israeli policies. -
READ MORENovember 13, 2014
Between 2006 and now, Americans have been dealing with a constant shift between a Republican and Democratic-led Congress. This Congressional pendulum has led to new people and (sometimes) new voices going through a revolving door of uncertain lawmaking. -
READ MORENovember 11, 2014
Every week is busy at MPAC, but last week was especially busy! For the past couple of years, the American Muslim community has been facing challenges regarding issues of national security, surveillance, foreign policy and public perception. The day following the midterm elections, American Muslims from around the country came together to strategize how we can collectively overcome issues that impact our communities. In partnership with the New America Foundation, we convened over 50 American Muslims from across the nation for a leadership forum called “Policy Challenges and Opportunities Facing American Muslim Communities.” -
READ MOREOctober 31, 2014
MPAC’s Deana Nassar moderated the youth panel exploring the social media divide between youth and adults and ways in which adults can support young people in navigating cyber-bullying. -
READ MOREOctober 30, 2014
In this week’s special edition of MPAC’s DC News and Views, we interviewed Chris Seiple, President of the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) about his recent trip to the Middle East where he witnessed first-hand the plight of religious minorities due to the continued unrest in the region as a result of the terrorist group, ISIS. -
READ MOREOctober 24, 2014
Global terrorism has created concerns for governments around the world regarding their citizens traveling to countries such as Iraq and Syria to fight with groups like ISIS. Focusing on access to social services, including mental health services, education and employment opportunities serves both as an intervention and prevention approach to tackling countering violent extremism head-on. -
READ MOREOctober 16, 2014
American Muslims have proven to be invaluable in countering extremists and their ideology. Yet, with the solution (American Muslims) imploring the masses to have their voices heard, there are very real challenges and obstacles for change. -
READ MOREOctober 9, 2014
Having one-sided conversations about Islam and Muslims without the presence or representation of Muslims is extremely counterproductive to debunking the myths surrounding the faith and its followers. -
READ MOREOctober 2, 2014
Eric Holder, the nation’s first African American attorney general (AG) has announced his resignation from the post following a turbulent five-and-a-half year tenure focusing on civil rights, national security and quelling racial tensions. A number of unanswered questions remain for the next AG. -
READ MOREOctober 1, 2014
This week we had the opportunity to set the record straight to millions of Americans by going live on C-SPAN to talk directly about Islam and the unfortunate reality that it is being tarnished by groups like ISIS. -
READ MORESeptember 25, 2014
President Obama’s statement at the United Nations General Assembly this week focused on “defining questions at the root of many of [our] challenges.” Islam and Muslims were the centerpiece of his remarks. -
READ MORESeptember 19, 2014
Our National Policy Analyst Hoda Elshishtawy attended a meeting at the State Department this week regarding the protection of American Muslims traveling to Saudi Arabia for hajj. The impetus for the meeting was to prevent any attack on American Muslims while performing the hajj. Last year, a group of American Muslims from Michigan were harassed and attacked by a group of Australians. Read more to find out what happened at the meeting! -
READ MORESeptember 18, 2014
The House Intelligence Committee held a hearing to “Examine Threats Posed by ISIL, al Qaeda and other Islamic Extremists.” The hearing featured three witnesses who chose to focus much of their commentary on military options to defeat ISIL. -
READ MORESeptember 11, 2014
Last night, President Barack Obama revealed his strategy to “degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counterterrorism campaign.” Ultimately, the President stated that we will begin a campaign to defeat the threat of ISIL within Iraq and expand it to Syria as well. -
READ MOREAugust 29, 2014
Yesterday, MPAC held a press conference in Beverly Hills, CA calling for continued cooperation between the American Muslim community and law enforcement in combating violent extremism. The speakers included a mix of community activists, faith leaders and law enforcement officials. -
READ MOREAugust 22, 2014
Beyond being fundamental rights, assembly, petition and redress are necessary and essential tools in the political and governing process. American history is rich with examples of assembly and redress as building blocks to social movements that changed the country. -
READ MOREAugust 20, 2014
The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) condemns the barbaric execution of American Journalist James Foley by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and urges all people of conscience to take a stand against extremism. Mr. Foley was a journalist who courageously covered the atrocities against the Syrian people. We offer our condolences to his family and friends
