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The Oldest Progressive Muslim Organization in America |
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How to Put Yourself Out of Business
Yes we have turned the page on 2020, but rest assured 2021 will have its challenges. As we transition to a new “normal,” we need to rethink how we as individuals should live that out, and the policies we should fight for.
Since March 2020 my wardrobe has consisted primarily of tights, t-shirts, a handful of blouses for some meetings. For the early 5:00 a.m. conference calls, I would still be in my pajamas, with no makeup. Frankly, I love this very minimalist way of living. It also reminded me of my daughter’s school trip to a Californian Catholic missionary post some 13 years ago. The folks then wore the same set of clothes all week, and on Sunday would have a fresh set of clothes for church service while their work clothes were washed and hung to dry.
Yes, I know that is too extreme, but can you imagine how much better our environment would be if we consumed less of everything?
The children picking cotton in Turkey could be in school, instead; the Uighers of China would not be enslaved at factories to provide “fast fashion” for mostly Western consumers. We would spare water and energy, not to mention landfills, since most fast fashion items are trashed after a few wears.
I am very aware that being able to ponder the cycle of consumerism and its harms is itself a luxury. I have not suffered a loss of income or a year of schooling, lining up at food pantries, being cooped up with an abusive family member, or mourning the death of a loved one. But our lifestyles prior to COVID-19 are unsustainable and if anything has contributed to an unjust system.
So, as a human rights organization, how do I put myself and MPV out of business? One way is to allow the elimination of progressive Muslims by our radical counterparts. While everyone is off during the holidays, our partner Imam Khalfan of Burundi was lethally poisoned with arsenic. This is their third attempt.
Those who follow our #ImamsForShe movement will know how devastating this is to our work. Please consider donating to cover his medical costs—without money he cannot be treated and will die. For your convenience, I’ve created a dedicated GoFundMe for him.
Alternatively, we can fight back by continuing to promote and inculcate a culture rooted in human rights.
Toward that, in partnership with an early child development expert, we have developed an inclusive Islam curriculum rooted in human rights for children ages 2-6. It takes only 10 years to effectively create this cultural shift. It is a small investment compared to how much we spend on the military, the cost of rebuilding knowing full well that emotional harm and trauma cannot be rebuilt.
For months we’ve promoted masks and social distancing to spare many the pain of illness. We’ve heard it preached that “prevention is better than the cure.” I wish our policy makers and funders would see the deeper wisdom in that proverb. By that same token that we take measures to prevent disease, I wish we would take measures to prevent human rights violations. MPV is committed to creating that paradigm shift. How committed are you? Without a culture of human rights, our “new normal” will be more of the same old same old. Unfortunately there is no quick vaccination for this!
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and when I see you in 2021, be ready for a big bear hug from me!
Onward and upward…
Ani Zonneveld
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Recommended Reading
Paris Conference Notebooks
Records of the Paris Conference have been published. The conference was co-organized by UNESCO and the association Islam in the 21st Century, held on February 26 and 27 2019. The conference brought around thirty scholars and religious leaders part of a biennial conference to be held in Paris. The purpose of the conference was to give Muslim leaders a voice in discussing new approaches to religion, addressing not only theological subjects but also questions that impact the daily life of Muslims and non-Muslims alike on matters of freedom of conscience, gender equality, intercultural and interfaith diversity, secularism, hierarchy of sacred and secular norms, the veil, burqa etc. This book should be of interest to the EU and especially French policy makers.
You can purchase your copy here in French, Arabic and English.
Progressive Islam, by Imam Daayiee Abdullah
 MPV’s Advisory Board member Imam Daayiee Abdullah is releasing a new book, titled Progressive Islam. The book discusses major aspects of progressive Islam and discusses Islam in its Chinese, Saudi, and Egyptian contexts to provide a diverse perspective. According to the author, the book is “a celebration of Islam”. Pre-order your copy here!
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U.N. Updates
Stand by for more information on MPV’s panel on our work in reforming the Kadhi Court in Kenya at the Commission on the Status of Women in March. We will feature our partners, highlight the legal language, the toolkit we developed and our approach to empowering the Kadhi court, the judicial system, and the womenfolk. |
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National Updates
Celebration of Life
On International Human Rights Day we raised over $10,300 dollars thanks to the appearances and performances of Attorney General Keith Ellison, Special Rapporteur Karima Bennoune, Leila Milki, Amira, Danielle Lopresti and Sophia Alone, who is also the event producer, and host Ahmed el-Din! You can watch the full event here and if you feel compelled to give, we could use it!
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MPV-LA
January 19, 8:30 a.m. PST: Join 50+ faith organizations of which MPV is also a member, at this annual breakfast event in celebrating Dr. Martin Luther Kings Jr.'s birthday.
With the words and wisdom of the Reverend Naomi Tutu, the voices of Dr. King's children and grandchild, the prayers and comments of fellow ISN clergy, and the moving and messaged music of youth and choirs, we will indeed be inspired to continue the justice and equity work of Dr. King. Please RSVP for yourself here.
MPV-NY
On December 23, MPV-NY and MPV-DC held a joint community gathering. The event, titled “CommuniTEA Hangout,” was the final event of the year for both gatherings and served as decompresser as we all headed into the new year. Members and leaders shared their thoughts and feelings on the previous year and what we hope to accomplish in 2021. It was a special space and MPV-NY looks forward to continuing such events in the new year.
 On January 17, members of MPV-NY and MPV-Orlando will be co-facilitating a conversation with author, scholar, and artist Karimah Rahman about Muslim Indo-Caribbean spaces, history, and identity. Karimah is currently a PhD candidate at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada, where she focuses the intersectional marginalization, lack of representation and Anti-Muslim Racism towards Muslim Indo-Caribbeans in Indo-Caribbean, Indentured Diasporic, Indian and South Asian spaces. Registration for the event is available by emailing [email protected] or by visiting the link in our Instagram bio.
MPV-Boston
On December 4, MPV-Boston hosted a virtual holiday event, “Muslims for Christmas.” This event was viewed by 200+ folks on social media. First hour of this event was attended by our guest Muslim-Christian interfaith couple, Abdul Majeed and Carolina. Interfaith couples shared their beautiful journey of learning about each other in the process of learning about each other’s faiths. After guest speakers, multiple interfaith families shared how MPV chapters have been a great community to their holidays celebrations from Eid al-Adha to Christmas and more.
MPV-Boston wrapped up the year 2020 with 15 incredible programs. In January 2021, MPV-Boston will restructure the chapter board. If interested, email us for more details.
MPV-Orlando
MPV-Orlando is looking to expand their leadership team, as well as develop their community network. If interested, please e-mail: [email protected].
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- President's Greeting
- Recommended Reading
- U.N. Updates
- National Updates
- Chapter Updates
- MPV in the Media
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