November 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.
Tag Results
-
READ MORE -
READ MORENovember 19, 2014
The Muslim Public Affairs Council is extremely concerned with the United Arab Emirates’ decision to include two American Muslim organizations, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim American Society (MAS), on a terrorism designation list. -
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 14, 2014
This year, we will bring this important conversation to our annual convention, titled “America Deserves Better,” which will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center on Saturday, December 13. We will be hosting a not to be missed session titled: Collaboration or Cancellation: Shaping the Image of Islam & Muslims in Hollywood. -
READ MOREOctober 7, 2014
Today is a big day. The Supreme Court is hearing a case looking at the limits of religious freedom in the prison setting. The case, Holt v. Hobbs, involves an Arkansas prisoner petitioning to grow a half-inch beard, which the Arkansas Department of Correction (ADC) believes is hazardous to prison security. -
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 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 -
READ MOREAugust 14, 2014
MPAC today strongly condemned the extreme and repugnant principles and actions of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The rise of ISIS and their rapid expansion in Iraq and Syria is an imminent cause for concern for not only local civilians facing their deadly threats, but also for regional and international stability. -
READ MOREJuly 31, 2014
During the next few weeks, your senators and representatives will be home working in their district offices. Take advantage of the Congressional recess by reaching out to your elected official to discuss issues that are important to you. Here are some easy and effective ways to schedule a meeting! -
READ MOREJuly 29, 2014
Yesterday, CNN’s Belief Blog published an op-ed called “President Obama's Ramadan Slap at Muslims” by Salam Al-Marayati, President of the Muslim Public Affairs Council. The op-ed describes how the President’s pro-Israel remarks at the annual White House Iftar left guests and many American Muslims feeling “shocked and dismayed” and called it a talking point that “is code for whitewashing decades of atrocities committed against the people of Gaza.” -
READ MOREJuly 28, 2014
The Muslim Public Affairs Council wishes everyone a joyous Eid ul-Fitr at the conclusion of this blessed month of Ramadan. This Eid, we stand in solidarity with all who throughout Ramadan have faced atrocities, injustice and have been struggling for their freedom. Our hearts are with those who have faced bloodshed in Palestine, horrifying human rights violations in Syria, ongoing slaughter in Myanmar and all who are oppressed. -
READ MOREJuly 25, 2014
Let me tell you about a civil rights case we have been working on recently. At this moment, you might be thinking – “MPAC works on policy, not on civil rights, doesn’t it?” In reality, we leverage our government relations to directly defend and secure the rights of American Muslims, both to aid individuals and to shape policies that impact all of us. -
READ MOREJuly 14, 2014
In 1996, MPAC collaborated with diverse organizations to work with then First Lady Hillary Clinton to host the first White House Eid celebration in recognition of the heritage and contributions of American Muslims to the mosaic that makes up America. If mainstream American Muslims are not at the table, they will be replaced by voices who seek to further marginalize our community and promote problematic policies. This year, we plan to discuss the NSA and FBI surveillance of American Muslims and the administration's failure to call on Israel to halt its appalling assault on Palestinians. -
READ MOREMay 8, 2014
On Sunday, MPAC hosted its first L.A. County Election Forum at the Islamic Center of Southern California with candidates for L.A. Sheriff. Moderator Salam Al-Marayati, MPAC President, talked about the importance of being civically engaged and voting, especially with regards to issues important to Muslim Angelenos. -
READ MOREMay 8, 2014
MPAC is now accepting applications for the position of Communications Coordinator in our Washington, DC office. Apply today for your chance to work with a dynamic, forward-looking team committed to having a positive impact on policy and public opinion on matters related to Islam and Muslims. -
READ MOREApril 4, 2014
During the past few weeks, Washington, DC, has seen more drama than an episode of “House of Cards.” Remember when the Senate Intelligence Committee was spied upon by the very agency it was tasked to oversee? The CIA, afraid of looking bad, sabotaged Senate staffers who were investigating its torture techniques. A damning report set to be released soon by the same committee exposes the CIA’s efforts to exaggerate the effectiveness of enhanced interrogation (torture) techniques. -
READ MOREMarch 26, 2014
Last week, Haris Tarin, the Director of MPAC's Washington, DC, office, partnered with Alejandro Beutel, an independent research consultant and analyst, who specializes in countering violent extremism and , for a panel discussion, “God Loves the Just: American Muslims Tackling Extremism and the Path to Violence," at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START). -
READ MOREMarch 20, 2014
This week, while your members of Congress are at home working in their district offices, take advantage of the recess by contacting your elected official to discuss issues that are important to you! -
READ MOREMarch 20, 2014
Laila Alawa, a 2012 graduate from Wellesley College in psychology and education studies, is MPAC's Spring Government and Public Policy Intern in the Washington, DC, office. Through her research and work post-graduation at Princeton University, Alawa realized she wanted to devote her time to working for the American Muslim community, which led her to move to DC to pursue her dreams of public policy, media and social enterprise and find a home at MPAC. -
READ MOREMarch 14, 2014
The issue of NSA surveillance of civilians through implementing the data mining PRISM program, monitoring telephone records and planting software on personal computers has, over the past few months, launched a national debate about surveillance. However, while the public and media outcry has only risen, the outrage seems to be absent among the Senate Intelligence Committee members who oversee the intelligence agencies.
