Issue 13: February 10, 2024

A monthly spotlight on major developments from MPAC’s Policy Bureau

THIS MONTH IN DC – Candid Conversations: 2024 Presidential Election, (http://) MPAC joins CAIR-LA, (http://) Shura Council calling for LAPD investigation, (http://) MPAC on Nancy Pelosi's CNN Statement, (http://) MPAC on Recent Chemical Attack on Columbia University Students Rallying for Gaza, (http://) MPAC Concerned Over Continued Increase in Hate-motivated Attacks, (http://) 100 Days In: The Biden Administration’s Mishandling of Gaza, (http://) MPAC Stands with the Newark Muslim Community, (http://) Bay Area Muslim organizations hold first-of-its-kind FBI training on Islamophobia (http://)

Candid Conversations: 2024 Presidential Election ([link removed])

As we head into this important election, it is crucial that we support candidates who share our political views and are committed to safeguarding the interests of all citizens. We’ve invited all of the 2024 Presidential candidates for a discussion to get a better understanding of their views and positions.

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In the first installment in our series, MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati met with Presidential candidate Cenk Uygur ([link removed]) , founder, CEO, and host of online news show, "The Young Turks” to discuss the current state of democracy in the U.S., the position of young voters in the upcoming election, and the role of America in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

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In our latest conversation, MPAC met with Presidential candidate
Congressman Dean Phillips ([link removed]) , representing Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District. We addressed the atrocities in Gaza and underscored the necessity for the U.S. to transition from a national security paradigm to a dedicated focus on human security.

Catch up with both videos here ([link removed]) .

MPAC joins CAIR-LA, Shura Council calling for LAPD investigation ([link removed])
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The Muslim Public Affairs Council held a press conference and delivered a letter ([link removed]) to the Los Angeles Police Department Commissioner, along with Shura Council of Southern California and the Los Angeles chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) calling for an investigation of LAPD’s engagement with the State of Israel, demanding that LAPD discontinue conducting joint training programs and the use of invasive surveillance technology developed by Israeli companies to spy on Angelenos without warrants.

In addition, we called for an audit of a series of social media posts from members of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) that express support for Israel’s current onslaught and genocide of the Palestinian people.

Watch the recording here ([link removed]) .

MPAC attends United Against Hate symposium hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California at UCLA School of Law (http://)

MPAC participated in the United Against Hate symposium organized by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California at UCLA School of Law. This event brought together various stakeholders including the UCLA Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion/Civil Rights Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, the CA Civil Rights Department, and Los Angeles Civil Rights to discuss pressing issues. Panel discussions featured senior officials from federal, state, and local levels, focusing on the imperative of combating hate crimes and discrimination. MPAC reaffirms its dedication to advocating for American Muslim interests by addressing all forms of intolerance, ensuring the safety and welfare of all communities.

Video Statement: MPAC on Nancy Pelosi's CNN Statement ([link removed])
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Watch our full video here ([link removed]) .

Video Statement: MPAC on Recent Chemical Attack on Columbia University Students Rallying for Gaza ([link removed])
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Watch our full video here ([link removed]) .

To see the playlist of all of our recently-released video statements visit here ([link removed]) .

Statement: MPAC Concerned Over Continued Increase in Hate-motivated Attacks ([link removed])

The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) expresses deep concern following a recent act of violence in Texas. Sunday evening, four young American Muslims were targeted by 36-year-old Bert James Baker while driving home after attending a pro-Palestinian protest in Austin, TX.

During the incident, Baker removed a keffiyeh flag reading “Free Palestine” from their vehicle and shouted racial slurs before pulling one of the victims out of the car. Baker then stabbed 23-year-old Palestinian American, Zacharia Doar, in the chest, leaving him with a broken rib, and requiring him to undergo surgery.
The Austin Police Department designated this attack as “bias-motivated.” MPAC calls on the Travis County Attorney’s Office to further classify this heinous act of violence as a hate crime.

Read our full statement here ([link removed]) .

Statement: 100 Days In: The Biden Administration’s Mishandling of Gaza ([link removed])

The Biden administration marked in a statement this week “a devastating and tragic milestone —100 days of captivity for the more than 100 innocent people, including as many as 6 Americans, who are still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.” In doing so, President Biden completely disregarded the ongoing assault on Gaza that has resulted in the death of over 24,000 Palestinians, of which the overwhelming majority are women and children.

Protests in support of Palestinian human rights have erupted nationwide. As the world watches in horror, the ongoing genocide in Gaza raises concerns about the Biden administration’s apparent disregard for Israel’s ongoing human rights violations and American complicity in this conflict.

Read our full statement here ([link removed]) .

Statement: MPAC Stands with the Newark Muslim Community ([link removed])
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The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) expresses its deepest concern and sends its prayers to the Masjid Muhammad community in Newark, NJ, following Wednesday’s tragic incident. Just before morning prayer, Imam Hassan Sharif was shot outside his mosque by an unknown assailant, leaving him in critical condition and fighting for his life, until he succumbed to his injuries later that afternoon.

Imam Sharif was an integral part of the Newark Muslim community, serving selflessly and building bridges of understanding between faith communities. He worked tirelessly to promote peace and improve conditions within his community.

Read our full statement here ([link removed]) .


** In the Media
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ABC7 News
Bay Area Muslim organizations hold first-of-its-kind FBI training on Islamophobia ([link removed])
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"I think they were surprised and gained a lot of awareness when I was able to draw that path between funding Islamophobia and how that manifests itself in national security policy." - Salam Al-Marayati, President, Muslim Public Affairs Council

Read the full article here ([link removed]) .


** Upcoming Events
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**
South African Embassy Expression of Gratitude ([link removed])
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Tuesday, February 27th, MPAC invites you to joins us at the South African Embassy as we extend our deep appreciation for their government’s courageous stand before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to show the world that Israel is actively committing genocide in Gaza. As we all fight for an immediate ceasefire, we must also recognize South Africa’s leadership and commitment to justice and thank them for their support of the men, women, and children of Gaza.

RSVP here ([link removed]) .

Date: February 27, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. ET - 12 p.m. ET
Address: Embassy of South Africa, 3051 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008


** In Case You Missed It:
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64 Billboards. 21 Cities. 100 Million+ Impressions. ([link removed])
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MPAC launched a national billboard campaign to amplify the true experiences of Palestinians, and shift the mindset of those unaware of the atrocities taking place in #Gaza.

The power of these billboards to convey this message to a wide audience is unparalleled. Currently, we have 64 billboards scattered throughout 21 cities across the nation – but we are not done yet.

Thank you for your support of this effort!


** Teach-In: The Islamic Narrative on Jerusalem and Palestine ([link removed])
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In partnership with All Saints Episcopal Church, MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati led the informative and thought-provoking Teach-In: The Islamic Narrative on Jerusalem and Palestine. Through this lecture, we sought to facilitate a deeper understanding of the Islamic history within the discourse to better effect peacemaking efforts, both within the interfaith community and among our decision-makers.
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Watch the full video here ([link removed]) .


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