Getting Suckered Into War... Yet Again. |
This August marks 17 years since MPV was founded, establishing an organization whose backbone is the freedom to think freely and to express these thoughts regardless how blasphemous it may sound to some. We pride ourselves in nurturing critical thinking, which we believe brings out the best in people and our communities. This civil discourse is the hallmark of MPV, which has allowed us to nurture and create platforms for chapter leaders to independently build inclusive communities.
I want to acknowledge this civil discourse as a core aspect of MPV’s work because in the past, we’ve received criticism for being in the same room or at the same table “with the enemy”. I have been in plenty of rooms and conversed with many individuals who I vehemently disagree with, but I have always prioritized being in those spaces because it is here where I can ensure they hear my opinion. I have sat at a table with Israeli government officials and challenged them for withholding water for the property development at Rawabi as they spoke of “Palestine’s need to develop their own economy”. Or called them out for their blatant lies about the history of the region when they deny that prior to the creation of the state of Israel, Jewish, Christian and Muslim Palestinians lived together as one community. I did that to their faces and I will continue to do so because it is the responsibility of all those with privilege to use this privilege to take up space, even if it means being in that space “with the enemy”
This is more important than ever as Americans are getting suckered into an all out war in the Middle East, courtesy of our government’s unabashed support for Israel, whose definition of peace is to assassinate the leader they are meant to be negotiating peace with. Our foreign policy rooted in “freedom, liberty, and justice for all” is laughable if it wasn’t for the millions of lives at risk because of our hypocrisy.
Onward and upward…
Ani Zonneveld,
President & Founder
|
|
|
Celebrating 17 Years of MPV |
This August Muslims for Progressive Values celebrates 17 years of changing hearts and minds together. While our programs have changed over the years, our mission - to inculcate a culture rooted in human rights through public education, advocacy, and the arts - has remained the same. If you’d like to ensure that MPV can continue to fulfill our mission for years to come, we encourage you to make a donation below!
|
|
|
We are so delighted to announce that our MPV Arabic page is now live on our website! The MPV Arabic page features Arabic versions of our educational content, translated with the help of our MPV Arabic intern, Iman Snobar, a rising fourth year student at the University of Chicago. Thanks to the work of Iman, our educational content is now more accessible than ever.
|
|
|
|
|
|
MPV is proud to announce the launch of Unit 4 of the Progressive Islam Curriculum - Reading the Qur’an as a Progressive Muslim!
Unit 4 applies the science of progressive hermeneutics to select verses of the Qur’an to underscore the text’s support for human rights and inclusivity.
You can download Unit 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the curriculum on our website below!
|
|
|
A Reading Recommendation! |
A dear friend of MPV, Daisy Khan, author and founder of WISE Muslim Women, is celebrating the publishing of her recent book - “30 Rights of Muslim Women”, an authoritative “go-to” publication that aims to educate women on how to express their rights within Islam. This book is perfect for enabling activists to integrate an egalitarian Islamic belief system into their movements. |
|
|
|
|
Our Annual Impact Report from 2023 is now available on our website. We encourage you to check it out to learn more about our local, national, regional, and international programs from last year and the numerical impact that these programs had on the MPV community. A special thank to our individual donors and supporters who helped make all of this possible!
|
|
|
Get Involved With Our Chapters |
|
|
On July 21, MPV-Boston co-hosted a screening of “When Olive Trees Weep” at Community Church of Boston. The film offered a searing window into the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. Afterwards we held a deeply meaningful session of interfaith prayers led by young Palestinian organizers along with community members of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faiths. We also shared a community potluck. |
|
|
Thank you to those that joined our monthly meeting in July. We continue to be excited about growing our Chicago community and hope you’ll attend a meet up soon. You can find information about our next events on our MPV-Chicago Facebook page |
|
|
Join MPV LA and IQRA for an upcoming virtual Qur’an Chat on August 17 at 9:30 AM PST / 12:30 PM EST. Everyone is welcome to our inclusive space as we explore the gamut of interpretations whether progressive, shia, modernist, sunni, feminist, queer, or salafi. All we ask is that you bring your whole selves to the conversation and that you are respectful of the community gathered. RSVP below to confirm attendance! |
|
|
In July, MPV-NY organized a game night at Hex&Co. The event was well-attended, and participants had an enjoyable and engaging experience. |
|
|
Hey, would you like to see more of MPV in your feed?
Connect with us on our social platforms! |
|
|
|
