Check out the latest updates from MPAC's Policy Bureau

Issue 15: April 3, 2024

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

March 2024 in DC – MPAC Facilitates Dialogue with South African Foreign Minister ([link removed]) ,MPAC Hosts Annual Ramadan Iftar on Capitol Hill ([link removed]) , MPAC Urges Dept. of Ed Implement Full Strategy to Combat Discrimination ([link removed]) , UC Riverside Spotlight Series ([link removed]) , The Misconceptions of Muslim Women ([link removed]) , White Feminism's Absence in the Plight of Middle Eastern Women ([link removed]) , Faith in Action: Urgency for Gazans
([link removed]) , POLITICO: White House eyeing a scaled down Ramadan reception ([link removed]) , Spectrum News: Impact of Pro-Palestinian Protests on 2024 Election ([link removed]) , Candid Conversations: 2024 Presidential Election ([link removed])
For 36 years, MPAC has forged ahead with a vision: to stand shoulder to shoulder with those in positions of influence, advocating for the American Muslim community. This Ramadan, let us #MarchForwardTogether, propelled by the spirit of progress, empowerment, and pride for our Muslim community.

Support Our Work Today ([link removed])

MPAC Facilitates Dialogue with South African Foreign Minister on Palestinian Genocide ([link removed])

On March 19, MPAC facilitated a dialogue with South African Foreign Minister, Dr. Naledi Pandor, focusing on Palestine and potential paths forward. We were joined by Jewish Voice for Peace – DC Metro Chapter and Churches for Middle East Peace, engaging in conversations about the efforts of American organizations to amplify and advocate for Palestinian human rights and an immediate ceasefire.

In January, Minister Pandor led South Africa’s delegation to the Hague to hear the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) landmark ruling on South Africa’s case against Israel, where the ICJ ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent its troops from committing genocide and take steps to improve the humanitarian situation of Palestinians in Gaza.

“We who believe in freedom cannot rest until freedom comes to Palestine. Now is the time for sustained resistance to genocide and occupation, and strategic reimagination of global institutions.”

– South African Foreign Minister Dr. Naledi Pandor

Read our full event recap here ([link removed]) .

MPAC Hosts Annual Ramadan Iftar on Capitol Hill ([link removed])

On March 18, the MPAC Policy Bureau hosted our annual Ramadan Iftar in Washington, D.C. We were joined by Muslim, Arab, and South Asian community members, government officials, congressional staff, faith leaders, and others on Capitol Hill to break our fast and contemplate the grave situation in Palestine, further emphasizing the significance of unity and solidarity within our communities in America during this holy time.

“There is no distance between the complicity of the American government and the Israeli regime. All of this news is meant to distract, to misinform, to keep us away from what is happening back home in Palestine. It is our tax dollars that are funding this genocide.”

— Laura Albast, Senior Editor of Digital Strategy and Communications at the Institute for Palestine Studies-USA

Read our full event recap here ([link removed]) .

MPAC Urges Dept. of Ed to Implement Full Strategy to Protect Students from Discrimination ([link removed])

MPAC welcomes the acknowledgment of the increase in hate and harassment faced by students of color in our schools, however, this recognition is long overdue. This letter is prompted by our active participation in several standalone meetings and listening sessions convened to address this pressing issue and the need for the Department of Education to respond accordingly. In these engagements, we issued recommendations to the Department following these meetings, seeking tangible actions rather than empty rhetoric.

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

Anyone who believes that a school has discriminated against a student based on race, color, or national origin can file a complaint of discrimination with OCR. To file a complaint, click here ([link removed]) .


UC Riverside Spotlight Series: The Plight of Afghan Refugees ([link removed])

MPAC Director of Policy and Strategy Niala Mohammad joined UC Riverside as a panelist for their student-led Spotlight Series: State of Refugees: The Plight of Afghan Refugees Amidst a Taliban State.

Watch the full seminar here ([link removed]) .

The Misconceptions of Muslim Women ([link removed])
By: Noor Khan, MPAC Policy Intern

The discourse surrounding Muslim women in Western society is greatly enriched by Edward Said’s concept of Orientalism which provides the framework for understanding the perpetuation of stereotypes and misconceptions. In Said’s seminal work, he revolutionized how the West has constructed a specific narrative of the Orient that exoticizes the people and culture, reinforcing the idea of “othering” which serves to justify Western dominance and colonialism.

These narratives often intersect with contemporary issues such as the hijab ban in France and the depiction of Muslim women in the media, reflecting power dynamics and biases that shape Western perceptions today.

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

White Feminism’s Absence in the Plight of Middle Eastern Women ([link removed])
By: Amna Asad, MPAC Policy Intern

In a month dedicated to recognizing women and their struggles, there has been a notable lack of discussion regarding women not only in Palestine, but the entirety of the Middle East. White feminism tends to lump women into a single category, which proves to be detrimental to women in the Middle East. White feminism has proven to be devoid of context, erasing religion, culture, the effects of colonization, and various social and historical contexts.

Instead, it highlights a Western perspective detracting from the unique struggles these women face beyond what the West considers as legitimate issues for women.

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

Faith in Action: Urgency for the Gazans as Ramadan Approaches ([link removed])
By: Hussayn Abdul-Qawi, MPAC Research Fellow
Muslims are committed to the sanctity of human life, thus the harm inflicted upon noncombatants in Gaza compels us to seek justness for the mass injustice inflicted upon them.

Despite living under persistent artillery bombardments, the people of Gaza are teaching the world a lesson in steadfastness. They continue to pray in rubble which once was a house of worship. They are people whose mothers, daughters, sons, aunts, uncles, and entire generations, have been wiped out of existence. Yet, in the face of unjust use of military force, they remain steadfast.

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


** In the Media
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POLITICO
White House eyeing a scaled down Ramadan reception this year ([link removed])
[link removed]

Salam Al-Marayati, the president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, was blunt when asked about community interest in participating in any White House event: “No appetite.”

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

Spectrum News 1 SoCal
Impact of Protests for Palestine on the 2024 Election ([link removed])
[link removed]
MPAC Chief of Staff Rebecca Husaini joined Spectrum News 1 to discuss the pivotal role that protests are playing in shaping the rhetoric around Palestine, and their impact on voting outcome heading into the upcoming election.

Watch the video here ([link removed]) .


** In Case You Missed It:
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Candid Conversations: 2024 Presidential Election ([link removed])

With the 2024 election year underway, it is important that we remember that our votes and our voices matter. We’ve invited all of the 2024 Presidential candidates for a discussion to get a better understanding of their views and positions. Together, we can make sure that we each have the knowledge to make informed choices at the ballot box this year.

[link removed]

In our latest conversation, MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati sat down with Dr. Cornel West ([link removed]) . During the discussion, Dr. West called out the U.S. as enablers in Israel’s crimes of genocide against the Palestinian people and emphasized the Biden Administration’s dismissive stance towards both voters and other political leaders calling for an end to Israeli occupation. They also discussed the increasing police presence and lack of mental health resources in public schools, the over-surveillance of communities of color, and the growing need to better protect vulnerable communities.

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

NOTE:
This is for educational purposes only and not an endorsement. We’ve invited all candidates to get a better understanding of their views and positions and will issue each recording as they are completed.

92 Billboards. 29 Cities. 147 Million+ Impressions. ([link removed])

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 92 billboards scattered throughout 29 cities across the nation – but we are not done yet.

Thank you for your support of this effort!

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