Emgage Attends White House's "United We Stand" Summit

President Joe Biden delivers a keynote speech at the United We Stand Summit at the White House in Washington on Thursday. At the summit, Biden called on Americans to speak out against prejudice. (Doug Mills / The New York Times)

Dear John, 

I just returned from the White House where I attended the “United We Stand” Summit with the President, Vice President, faith leaders, community organizers, and survivors of hate-filled violence. Inspiring, heartbreaking, renewing, are but a few of the words that come to mind as I recall what I witnessed today. This was a historic event and a much needed one. We are a nation in crisis where the forces of hate and bigotry are tearing at our social fabric by directing their wrath at the one thing that make us unique amongst nations: our diversity. Our diversity is a source of strength, but it could become the source of our undoing if we abandon our commitment to pluralism and equity for all. We cannot allow this to happen. 

As Muslim Americans, we know all too well what scapegoating and demonizing an entire group of people can lead to. Beyond the physical damage they inflict, whole communities are left with deep traumas that affect generations. This is why it was so important that Muslim Americans were represented at this event. At a time when so many other communities—Black, Hispanic, Asian, Jewish, Sikh, LGBTQI+--are also being targeted simply because of who they are, Muslim Americans needed to be there not only as victims, but also as comforters and partners to combat the hate, unify communities, and heal our nation. 

I was proud to see Imam Mohamed Magid being recognized alongside Rabbi David Saperstein and Pastor Bob Roberts for their efforts to bridge religious divides. I was inspired to hear Dr. LaVonne Ansari speak of community resiliency in the aftermath of the Buffalo mass shooting of Black shoppers. And I was in awe of Rais Bhuiyan, Jospeh Borgen, Vilma Kari, Pardeep Kaleka, and Mayra Alvear who turned unspeakable violence committed against them or their loved ones into actions to heal others.

We are mindful of historic injustices that occurred under the guise of national security, which impacted communities of color, especially Muslims, in deeply negative ways. We intend to follow-up with the White House and other attendees to ensure that the historic package of new actions from the federal government, civic, faith, philanthropic, and business leaders will indeed be leveraged to address this challenge. From Oak Creek to Orlando, Charleston, Pittsburgh, El Paso, Atlanta, Buffalo, and beyond, we are at an inflection point as a nation. We either succumb to these dark forces or we stand united as Americans and renew our civic bonds. At Emgage, we choose the latter. And I am proud to see over 20 Muslim American leaders alongside me at this event who made the same choice.

To watch the recording of the Summit and meet the Unifiers, go to: United We Stand Recording

To read more about the event and commitments made there, visit: United We Stand Fact Sheet

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In solidarity, 

Wa'el Alzayat, Emgage CEO

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