|
|
The Oldest Progressive Muslim Organization in America |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Don't take our work for granted! Donate! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
President's Note
A few months ago I received a lot of grief for asking Representative Ilhan Omar to support us anti-FGM advocates here in America. Considering we now do not have a federal law banning this practice in the U.S., we need to work harder and more urgently at raising this issue in the media, in educating the public, and in pressuring our legislatures to pass a law banning this harmful cultural practices. Since this confrontation with the representative, the coverage by multiple media outlets resulted in MPV being mentioned a total of 302,691,848 million times. Given the extensive coverage this exchange received, the American media by default educated the American public. Well, maybe now the American public actually knows what the acronym FGM stands for!
With that reach, politically progressive Muslim candidates are now reaching out to MPV for issues that they should be addressing. As the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
Muslims for Progressive Value has always upheld the worth of every human being, and in that spirit we signed on to an amicus brief (friend of the court papers) submitted by our Board of Trustees member Adeel Mangi, making clear our position on Title VII. The case is that of Gerald Bostock, a gay man, who sued his employer, Clayton County, Georgia, for discrimination on the basis of his sexual orientation. The employer sought to exclude discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees from the ambit of Title VII's protections against discrimination in the workplace. The related cases involve a gay and a transgender individual. In this brief, the amici curiae argued that discrimination against an employee because of their sexual orientation or transgender status is discrimination "because of … sex." On October 8th, representing MPV is our Ambassador Blair Imani making a statement at the ACLU Supreme Court rally in DC. Please read our press release here.
We have a tough environment here in America with challenges to women’s reproductive rights, to basic anti-discrimination laws of fellow citizens, and to a toxic political climate. We persist.
Onward and upward,
Ani Zonneveld
Founder, President
|
|
|
|
|
- President's Letter
- U.N. Update
- National Update
- Chapter Updates
- MPV in the News
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.N. Update
November 13 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva: the Permanent Mission of the Netherlands will be organizing a Freedom of Expression and Mental Health, emphasizing the importance of the freedom to express oneself as a contributing factor to a healthy state of mind. Performers are vlogger Abdul Aziz Muhamat (Sudanese) addressing the issue of mental health; dancers Dakota and Nadia, and Dutch cartoonist Tjeerd Royaards, chief of the Cartoon Movement who helped organize the cartoon competition “Cartooning for Human Rights,” initiative with OHCHR, and Ani Zonneveld performing her song “Let Me Try.” The event is free and open to the public.
Time: 17:00-19:00 followed by cocktails
Location: 8-14 Avenue de la Paix, Geneva, A Building, Hall 14 (close to Pregny gate)
November 18-19 in The Hague: Ani Zonneveld will represent MPV and AIM at The Istanbul Process.
|
|
|
|
|
National Update
The documentary “al-imam” continues to be screened at Academy qualifying film festivals, three years on since the making of the film. This fall it will be at St. Louis International Film Festival, Lublin Film Festival, and the Beirut International Film Festival. All this after the Cannes Film Festival in May. |
|
|
|
|
Chapter Updates
MPV-New York
On September 6, MPV-NY hosted a Friday Jum’a Prayer and Friday Jum’a Prayer and an Interfaith Potluck. Members of all faith-based communities participated. In addition to the Interfaith potluck, a producer of a documentary called "About Us" was present at the event as he was covering types of encounters in the world where different faith groups are building mutual respect together in the society where they live in. In an informal setting, participants were able to have enriched and free-flowing conversations over a shared meal.
October 5: MPV-NY is hosting a Hike Day on Saturday from 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Harriman State Park. The meeting point will be at the Reeves Meadow Information Center and participants will be hiking the Pine Meadow Lake Loop, which is a beginner's trail. To participate and get more information, please sign up either through MPV-NY event page or MPV-NY Meetup.
October 11: MPV-NY will be hosting a Friday Jum’a Prayer and will have a discussion about a matter pertinent to our community. This month the discussion will be on "Shi’a as the Other" and what that means through the lens of intrafaith community. To participate and get more information, please stay tuned and sign up either through MPV-NY event page or MPV-NY Meetup.
MPV-L.A. 
Oct 7: With allied partner organizations, MPV launched the Los Angeles FGM Task Force, or LAFGMTaskforce. Core partner organizers are:
Rohida Khan (U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
Athia Carrim (International Institute of Tolerance)
Senait Admassu (African Coalition)
Ginger Lee (Long Beach Mental Health)
Mame Mbaye (Honorary Consul Senegal)
Dr. Nina Smart (Advocate, Activist, Author)
Dr. Ghada (U.S End FGM/C Network)
Oct 8: Ani Zonneveld sang in a lead role as a guest singer with the Kol Nidre Community Choir at an annual event for Yom Kippur. This is the tenth year in a row that Ani joins the Kol Nidre Community Choir in this way.
Oct 9: At the Los Angeles chapter of UN Women, and in honoring the International Day of the Girl, Ani Zonneveld was guest speaker at a panel titled: #ClubsForShe: Unshackling from Patriarchy and into Freedom one girl at a time, a program in partnership with our Burundi partner AICNDH, an overnight leadership, Islamic human rights and entrepreneurship camp for young women ages 18-25 in Burundi. #ClubsForShe is funded by the Wallace Global Fund.
MPV-San Francisco
On September 13, MPV-San Francisco held its monthly Jum’a and organizational meeting. Following the meeting, several of the attendees met at Mel’s Diner for a continuation of a variety of discussions.
The MPV-San Francisco will hold its monthly Jum’a and meeting on October 11, at 473 Tehama Street, Third Floor, San Francisco, at 7 p.m. Items that will be addressed in the meeting include formalizing the chapter structure, participation in the national effort to raise money through a joint venture with The Mad Optimist for soap sales, participation in the #NoHateInMyFaith campaign, and the ongoing outreach for joint projects with the San Francisco Interfaith Council and the SF LGBT Center. The meeting will be followed by gathering at a local restaurant.
MPV-Atlanta
On August 29, MPV-Atlanta co-sponsored an interfaith service for Atlanta Black Pride at RIM Church Atlanta. Imam Trina Jackson delivered a khutbah in support of this effort.
On September 28, MPV-Atlanta participated in film screening for “The ISIS Trial”, which highlighted the controversial investigation and trial of three Somali boys accused of and convicted of terrorism in 2016. The film and panel highlighted Muslim political prisoner issues and islamophobia.
On October 11, MPV-Atlanta will host a juma’h service in Piedmont Park for Atlanta Pride. Details for the service will be on meetup. Connect with Kelly at [email protected] or Trina at [email protected].
On October 12, MPV-Atlanta will gather to decorate our vehicle for the Atlanta Pride Parade at 5:00 p.m. at the Phillip Rush Center. Connect with Kelly at [email protected] or Trina at [email protected]
On October 13, MPV-Atlanta will march in the Atlanta Pride Parade. We will meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Phillip Rush Center, depart for the parade at 9:15 a.m. You can also join us from the Atlanta Civic Center MARTA in the parade line-up between 9:30 a.m. - noon. The parade will start at noon. We will have a vehicle for the duration of the parade. Connect with Kelly at [email protected] or Trina at [email protected]
MPV-Boston
On September 6, MPV-Boston hosted a Friday Prayer meeting and potluck. One of our guests shared stories and recited poetry from their tradition of mourning Muharram, and also talked about how their faith as a Shi’a informed their progressive activism. Our upcoming meetings are the first Friday of every month from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Please join our MPV-Boston FB group for more details.
MPV-D.C.
On September 8, MPV-DC members met up for kayaking and lunch in Georgetown. After an hour of kayaking, members walked over to Das Ethiopian for a delicious lunch.
On September 29, MPV-DC members attended the annual Turkish Festival in downtown DC followed by lunch at Sakina Halal Grill.
On October 5, MPV-DC is hosted a prayer and halaqa at the Cleveland Park Public Library.
October 19: MPV-DC is hosting a visit to the American Islamic Heritage Museum & Cultural Center followed by a group lunch.
|
|
|
|
|
MPV in the News
“Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) supports left-of-center Muslim community organizing around the world. [1] MPV aims to change the public perception of Islam, portraying Islam as a religion of social justice and left-of-center values. According to MPV, the organization promotes “Islamic liberalism” because Islam is “inherently progressive.” [2] MPV has gone against most traditional Islamic organizations, including advocacy for LGBT causes and pro-abortion movements.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
