Dear John,

When our President, Salam Al-Marayati, first came to Washington more than 25 years ago, to say that the American Muslim presence was lacking would be an understatement. You could count on one hand the number of Muslims working in government and there was not a single Muslim organization in our nation's capital. The opening of the MPAC office in D.C. marked a turning point for our communities. And decades later, it is incredible to see what is now a vibrant network of Muslim government officials, policy experts, and organizations in Washington. Our work has always been focused on long-term outcomes– on the slow, steady approach that has proven itself successful throughout our history, rather than reactionary, short-sighted decision making in pursuit of instant gratification. 

Today, we remain committed to the future, with MPAC’s Congressional Leadership Development Program (CLDP) helping prepare the next generation of American Muslim leaders. As the Policy Program Manager, I am focused on building on past iterations of CLDP to provide the best possible experience for our fellows in 2023. More diversity. More resources and training. And more opportunities for American Muslim students looking to build careers in public service. But we cannot do it without your continued support.

Consider donating to support the Congressional Leadership Development Program today.

Our 35th Anniversary campaign is a celebration of how far our organization– and our community– have come since our founding in 1988. The work we are doing in Washington remains true to our long-term, slow and steady approach; we will see the impact of today's work over the next 35 years.

But we cannot do it alone. It is up to all of us to ensure our children and grandchildren inherit a country that values and supports them, and the next generation has the leaders and institutions it needs to face the challenges of tomorrow. To quote our co-founder, the late Dr. Maher Hathout, “Home is not where your grandparents are buried, but where your grandchildren will be raised.”

Donate now to support another 35 years of building the next generation of American Muslim leaders.