Dear John,
We are excited to share some transformative news about the future of the Muslim Public Affairs Council. Over the past year, as we all have been reeling from the genocide unfolding in Gaza, we have taken a deep dive into the changing landscape of policy advocacy and media engagement, with a renewed focus on how we can best serve as a powerful and authentic voice for American Muslims. As we embark on a strategic restructuring, we are positioning MPAC to elevate our impact, expand our reach, and work toward a more just domestic and foreign policy.
Since our founding in 1988, MPAC has proudly led the way in government engagement, being the first to establish a serious American Muslim policy advocacy presence in Washington, D.C. We’ve also made significant strides in entertainment media through our programs that elevate the work of American Muslim storytellers, ensuring that stories about us are told by us. While the world around us has evolved, our commitment to advancing the rights and aspirations of American Muslims remains unwavering.
To meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, we have taken this opportunity to reflect, realign, and reimagine our future. We are launching a clear policy platform, defining our principles of engagement, and crafting a new blueprint that will guide our work for years to come. Our strategic plan includes a phased approach to scaling our influence across policy, media, and digital Islamophobia landscapes.
As part of this new direction, we are expanding our Washington office with top-tier talent and leadership to drive our strategic initiatives and amplify our voice in policy advocacy. Additionally, we are enhancing our media engagement efforts to shape and influence narratives across both mainstream and alternative media platforms, ensuring that our community’s perspectives are represented accurately and authentically.
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Introducing Our New Leadership Team:
To lead us into this exciting new chapter, we are thrilled to introduce our new dynamic leadership team, whose experience, passion, and dedication to MPAC’s mission will help us reach new heights:
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Sue Obeidi, Senior Vice President, Hollywood Bureau: Since joining MPAC in 2000, Sue has played an instrumental role in advancing our mission, starting as Director of Operations and then leading as the Director of the MPAC® Hollywood Bureau. A true trailblazer, Sue has transformed the portrayal of Islam and Muslims in the entertainment industry, solidifying our reputation as a trusted partner for major studios. We are thrilled to have her continue her leadership as Senior Vice President of the Hollywood Bureau, where she will champion authentic Muslim talent and promote inclusive narratives across film, television, and digital media.
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Haris Tarin, Vice President of Policy and Programming: We are excited to welcome Haris Tarin back to MPAC as Vice President of Policy and Programming. Haris brings a wealth of experience from his decade-long experience in federal government having served in multiple roles at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including as senior policy advisor on immigration, civil rights, civil liberties, and national security. Haris most recently was the Chief of Staff of Operation Allies Welcome, the largest US evacuation and refugee resettlement program in our nation's history. Haris is poised to elevate our policy work, driving meaningful change and amplifying our impact at the highest levels of government.
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Rebecca Husaini, Vice President of Operations and Administration: With over two decades of experience in project management and operations, Rebecca has been with MPAC since 2018, where she has played a pivotal role in amplifying our message to a broad audience and spearheading operations to enhance our impact. Her leadership has streamlined our organizational processes and enhanced our capacity to serve, making a significant impact on our outreach and advocacy efforts. We are confident that in her new role, Rebecca will continue to drive MPAC's mission forward with efficiency, vision, and a deep commitment to values-based advocacy.
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Strong leadership thrives with a dedicated team, and we’re excited to welcome new support staff who will be essential in advancing our strategic vision. Their diverse skills, fresh perspectives, and commitment to MPAC's mission will strengthen our efforts in policy, media, and community engagement.
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Neelab Yousafzai, Program Manager: Neelab joins our team with a unique perspective on the needs of our community and the passion to serve. She brings to MPAC a stellar academic background and deep experience in nonprofit management and operations. She has many years of experience in developing and leading advocacy organizations in Washington D.C. Her dedication to empowering others and her firsthand experience will be invaluable as she helps advance our mission.
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Dahlia Taha, Young Leaders Policy Manager: Dahlia joins our team having most recently served as a Project Manager at The Texas A&M Foundation and an academic affairs liaison as Graduate and Professional Student Body President at Texas A&M University. A dynamic leader with a deep commitment to public service, Dahlia’s work in policy advocacy and student leadership positions her perfectly to guide the next generation of American Muslim leaders through the young leader's programming. She will play a key role in mentoring and shaping future leaders in our community.
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As we embark upon this new chapter, we are filled with optimism about the opportunities ahead and the impact we can achieve together. MPAC remains dedicated to championing an America where all Muslims can thrive, and we are grateful for your ongoing support and partnership as we advance our mission and elevate our collective voice.
Thank you for standing with us.
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In Service,
Salam Al-Marayati
MPAC President
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