In the meeting, our group, which included survivors of anti-Muslim hate crimes,  raised the need for a national strategy to combat Islamophobia in public spaces and in government policies. In 2020, Emgage served as the main vehicle to mobilize over a million Muslim voters during the elections, including in the vital swing states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida. Through our Million Muslim Votes program, we recognized the critical moment our country was in: we were truly fighting for the soul of our nation. It is imperative that we engage in these dialogues in order to address our needs and concerns at the highest levels of our government. 

Islamophobic rhetoric and policies are on the rise, leading to a concurrent rise in hate crimes at home and across the globe. Discriminatory policies put in place following 9/11 have yet to be entirely halted, upholding a system in which innocent citizens are under surveillance, put on watchlists, and made to feel othered. The pervasive issue of Islamophobia is linked to the very real threat of White Supremacy. Far-right extremism has risen over the past decade, quadrupling between 2016 and 2017. We must recognize the intersection of White Supremacy and Islamophobia. We stressed at this meeting the need for policy reforms, commitments, and public acknowledgment from our government. 

We look forward to continuing our work with the Administration and our partners on battling the scourge of Islamophobia until such meetings are no longer a necessity. 

We thank Second Gentleman Emhoff, Ambassador Rice, Mayor Benjamin, and Dr. Geltzer for their time and attention to these important matters.

In solidarity, 

Wa'el Alzayat, Emgage CEO

Iman Awad, Emgage Deputy Director