MPAC® Home of American Muslim Advocacy

First Amendment Center Launches Two New Trackers Documenting Civil Liberties Incidents and Legislative Trends Nationwide

Since May 2026, the First Amendment Center has tracked and documented violations of the First Amendment rights of American Muslims, pro-Palestine advocates, and allies across the United States including:

•	Free speech censorship

•	Academic retaliation against students and faculty

•	Religious discrimination

•	Restrictions on peaceful assembly and protest

The interactive map provides a nationwide view of constitutional challenges and emerging trends, expanding continuously to archive incidents dating back to 2023.

Alongside the incident map, the First Amendment Center is introducing a Legislative Tracker to trace federal and state bills that directly impact the constitutional protections of American Muslims and other historically targeted groups.

The tool tracks legislative activity, including: anti-Muslim resolutions, religious liberty concerns, government actions implicating free speech, policies introducing state-sanctioned religion into public education, and other measures with significant First Amendment implications.

#BurnMosque: A Viral Trend in Europe Has Looming Effects Here in the United States

A viral conspiracy theory claims Muslims are burning churches across Europe, using a dramatic collage of destroyed buildings as supposed proof. However, investigators found no evidence connecting Muslims to any of the alleged incidents, and none of the 15 churches pictured were even located in Europe. The images came from North American fires and were repackaged to manufacture fear and outrage towards Muslims in Europe.

This is not some harmless internet nonsense. While fabricated posts accuse Muslims of attacking Christian institutions, Muslim houses of worship are facing real threats. Just this past July, the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center was damaged in an arson attack resulting in the arrest of Vincent Lang, charged with criminal complaint. It is likely the attack falls under the broader pattern of mosque arsons and bomb threats occurring in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The contrast could not be any clearer: fake stories about Muslims burning churches are spreading online while actual mosques are being set on fire. CSTP has been monitoring online discourse regarding these burn mosque trends, as we know very well, disinformation does not stay behind a screen.

Our Center for Security, Technology, and Policy developed a monthly Mosque Security Bulletin to notify the community and mosques of rising arson attacks. Sign up our Security Bulletin!

MPAC Hollywood Bureau Heads to UCLA Summit and HollyShorts Film Festival

→ Sue Obeidi, Senior Vice President of the MPAC® Hollywood Bureau, will speak at UCLA’s Center for Scholars and Storytellers summit, Future of Faith: Youth, Spiritual Development and Modern Media. The event explores new research on youth across nine faith traditions in the U.S.

→ The MPAC® Hollywood Bureau has partnered with HollyShorts, the Oscar® and BAFTA qualifying premier shorts film festival! Recognized by Movie Maker Magazine as one of the, “Top 50 Film Festivals worth the entry fee,” Hollyshorts has become a launchpad for emerging and seasoned filmmakers, connecting storytellers with leading studios, brands, and executives. Tickets are required to attend both screenings and panels, reserve your spot here.

→ Najla Zaidi, Director of the MPAC® Hollywood Bureau, will be moderating the Financing Outside the Box: Alternative Investment Models panel. Joining her on the panel are industry veterans: Amatus-sami Karim, Khaliah Neal, Mobolaji Olambiwonnu, and Taye Shuayb.

NEW EPISODE ALERT | The MPAC Podcast

Did you miss our latest episode of The MPAC Podcast? Host Salam Al-Marayati reacts to two major viral clips shaping national discourse.

First, Salam breaks down leaked Wall Street Journal footage of Senator Lindsey Graham gloating over military strikes in Iran. Watch Here

Next, Salam responds to Elon Musk’s recent comments on The Economist regarding Muslims and immigration. Watch Here

Upcoming Events

We're excited to bring MPAC’s Empowering Voices Gala to Chicago and Los Angeles, before returning home to Washington, D.C. this upcoming Fall. Early bird pricing ends soon!

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable series of evenings:

⟶ Chicago, September 26th, 2026. Purchase tickets here.
Featuring: Award-winning journalist and media personality, Mehdi Hasan.

⟶ Los Angeles, October 10th, 2026. Purchase tickets here.
Featuring: Media host & political commentator Ana Kasparian, and award-winning director & writer Cherien Dabis.

⟶ Washington, D.C., November 9th, 2026. Purchase tickets here.
Stay tuned for special guest announcements