BOLD ACTIONS MUST FOLLOW PRESIDENT’S CALL FOR END OF STATUS QUO TOWARD MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

(Washington, DC - 5/19/11) -- The Muslim Public Affairs Council today commended President Barack Obama’s stated pledge to shift U.S. policies toward the Middle East and North Africa, particularly his repeated recognition that the “status quo is unsustainable” in both the Middle East and the U.S. approach to the broader region. As the world looks on, the test moving forward will be what bold and decisive policies and actions will take place to turn the rhetoric into reality.   SEE: Full text of President Barack Obama’s speech   “President Obama’s support of democracy, human rights and self-governance for all people, irrespective our geo-political interests, is a crucial stance which reflects our nation’s values,” said Haris Tarin, Director MPAC’s Washington, DC, office, who was on hand for the president’s speech. “As each country in the region continues to struggle to bring about lasting change and democracy, we as Muslim Americans underscore the point that our short-term national interests must align with our long-term values and vision for the region.   "Failure to change our approach threatens a deepening spiral of division between the U.S. and the Middle East," the president added.   The president repeatedly underscored the U.S.’s commitment to support the self-determination of people across the region, and warned Middle East leaders that continued resistance to calls of reform from their people means their days are numbered. He specifically outlined sanctions against Syria and criticized Bahrain and Yemen.   At the core of the regional struggle for self-determination is the ongoing struggle of the Palestinian people for their own state. MPAC supports Obama’s statement that a “democratic Jewish state cannot exist with a permanent occupation.” Stressing the administration’s support for a two-state solution which abides by 1967 borders and self-governance by Palestinians, Obama made an important statement about the U.S. needing to tell the truth as a reflection of its commitment to Israel.   Calling for an independent statement is crucial for U.S. policy in the region. But the test moving forward for the administration will be if they stand firm in pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make changes in policy that will create the conditions which actually allow for a Palestinian state and security for both Palestinians and Israelis. Prodding Israel to accept that it can never have a truly peaceful nation that is based on "permanent occupation" is commendable, but the world will be watching to see if U.S. policy will back that statement up with real action. The first test will be later this week when Obama addresses the annual conference of the American Israeli Political Action Committee.   Finally, we echo the president’s characterization of Osama bin Laden as a “mass murderer” rather than a “martyr,” and his recognition that bin Laden and al-Qaeda are increasingly irrelevant to Muslims worldwide who are successfully using peaceful means to achieve real change.   Obama’s parting words also made an important cultural link between centuries-old American struggles for advancement and those of the people of the Middle East and North Africa:   “For the American people, the scenes of upheaval in the region may be unsettling, but the forces driving it are not unfamiliar. Our own nation was founded through a rebellion against an empire. Our people fought a painful civil war that extended freedom and dignity to those who were enslaved.   “And I would not be standing here today unless past generations turned to the moral force of nonviolence as a way to perfect our union – organizing, marching and protesting peacefully together to make real those words that declared our nation: ‘We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.’ ”    Founded in 1988, MPAC is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of American Muslims.   [CONTACT: Marium Mohiuddin,             323-258-6722      , marium@mpac.org]

Making the DREAM of an Effective Immigration Solution, A Reality

On Wednesday May 11, 2011, Senators Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Dick Durbin (D-III) reintroduced the DREAM Act - which would provide an earned path to legal status for undocumented minors who came to this country before they were 16 - on the floor of the U.S. Congress. A day before that Tuesday, President Obama spoke in El Paso, Texas outlining his vision for immigration reform.

Both events recognize the important contributions immigrants make to our nation’s economic and social well-being. For instance, Muslim Americans, who are two-thirds of immigrant origin, have a purchasing power that adds more than $170 billion to our economy per year. They are doctors, lawyers, students, military officers and business entrepreneurs.

Many Muslim Americans are also young students, and many happen to be undocumented. In late November last year, when MPAC and a group of interfaith leaders announced their support for the DREAM Act, a recent college graduate named Alaa Mukahhal spoke of her story.

Alaa had recently graduated from a Chicago-area college with a degree in architecture. However she was unable to find a job and contribute her skills to our economy because she lacked legal status. Also there is Dan-el Padilla Peralta. He's the model DREAMer student -- graduated from Princeton as a salutatorian and was held back from attending Oxford because of his undocumented status.

Of course, a just and sustainable solution to our nation’s immigration challenges require more than the DREAM Act. Looking for a “silver bullet” solution, like increasing the number of deportations, will not work. Our nation cannot arrest and deport its way of out this problem; the challenge is simply too complex.

That's why we at MPAC believe real immigration reform requires not only securing the borders, but also a serious overhaul of our legal immigration system and providing an earned path to legal status.

If Alaa Mukahhal and the other 2.1 million other students in her situation have an opportunity to work toward their legal status (and eventual citizenship), organizations like the University of California Los Angeles estimate DREAM students will contribute $3.6 trillion to our nation over 40 years.

If that same path were expanded to the overwhelming majority of the 11 million, law-abiding and undocumented immigrants, theImmigration Policy Center estimates our nation stands to gain $1.5 trillion in just 10 years.

Yet, our elected officials have failed to pass any legislation seeking meaningful reform. We, as an American faith community must continue to push our members of Congress to achieve a just and effective immigration solution.

At the end of the day, let us also remember that immigration is an issue affecting us beyond our pocketbooks and our nation’s borders. It’s very real issue that affects our communities. Seeking a serious and comprehensive immigration solution is a moral issue that affects us as Americans and people of faith.

[CONTACT: Haris Tarin, DC Office Director,            (202) 547-7701      , haris@mpac.org]

Video: Imam talks bin Laden's death and beyond

Imam Johari Abdul-Malik taks with CNN about the reaction to Osama bin Laden's death and what's to come.

Beyond Bin Laden: Mosque Opens Doors To Neighbors

Beyond Bin Laden: Mosque Opens Doors To Neighbors

(Falls Church, Va., 05/3/11) - Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center joins with other faith leaders at this time of global conflict to work for reconciliation and peace.  In a recent statement The Vatican said:

"Osama bin Laden, as we all know, had the very grave responsibility of spreading division and hatred amongst the people, causing the death of countless people, and of instrumentalizing religion for this end," he said. "In front of the death of man, a Christian never rejoices but rather reflects on the grave responsibility of each one in front of God and men, and hopes and commits himself so that every moment not be an occasion for hatred to grow but for peace."

To that end, the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center will host an "Open House" - featuring the culture, beliefs and traditions of Muslims living in America - to continue building the bonds of understanding with our neighbors. To overcome the fears of a potential backlash from Al-Qaeda, it is imperative that we build closer relations.  

The theme "Know your neighbor - Love your neighbor" invites all of us in this season of renewal to get to know one another beyond the headlines. The event - which is designed to increase our communities' resilience - will feature short films, a "taste of Islam" food bazaar, henna for women, a visual art and photography exhibit as well as lectures and question-and-answer sessions with Muslim scholars.

Dar Al Hijrah executive director, Samir Abo-Issa, said,

"Let people come to the mosque and see for themselves who American Muslims really are, have some food, listen to poetry and get to know their neighbor. That is how we can move beyond fear to faith".

Since 911, our center has consistently denounced terrorism in all its forms.  Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, Director of Outreach, was featured in an "Anti-Terrorism" video and denounced the acts of Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda directly on the "O'Reilly Factor".  Although, Bin Laden no longer lives to spread a message of violence, hate and fear, we are still feeling the effects of the tragic events of that day. 

We applaud President Obama's statement that "America will never be at war with Islam" and pledge ourselves to work to eliminate the root causes of violence and terrorism.

WHAT: Beyond Bin Laden: Mosque Opens Doors To Neighbors

WHERE: 3159 Row Street NW, Falls Church, VA 22044

WHEN: Saturday, May 7^th, 2011, 11:00am - 5:00pm

CONTACT: Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, Director of Outreach (202) 345-5233 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (202) 345-5233      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

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Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center is one the largest and most diverse Islamic Centers in the nation. We are committed to service the community as a place of worship, education and social service.

Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center

3159 Row Street NW, Falls Church, VA 22044

Tel: (703) 531-2916 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (703) 531-2916      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, Fax: (202) 536-1035

Web Site,  Email Us

DC & LA Muslim Leaders, Law Enforcement & Interfaith Allies Stand Together During Press Conferences on Bin Laden’s Death

(Washington, DC - 5/2/11) -- Earlier today, the Muslim Public Affairs Council held press conferences in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles with prominent Muslim American leaders, elected officials, law enforcement officials and interfaith allies to share their collective responses to the death of Osama bin Laden.

WATCH: Video of Washington, DC Press Conference

LISTEN: Audio from the Los Angeles Press Conference

MPAC leaders around the country greeted the news of bin Laden’s death with an immense sense of relief and gratitude toward President Barack Obama and our military forces.

“For the past decade, we have gone through much and have given both in blood and treasure to fight an elusive enemy,” said Haris Tarin, director of MPAC’s Washington, DC, office. “We also hope that this will be a new chapter in our relationship with Muslim majority countries. We hope that this opportunity will be used to move in a different direction, as the President stated last night.”

A combined total of more than 40 international, national and local media outlets attended the two press conferences, including CNN, Fox News, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, BBC, Reuters and the Associated Press. (Visit mpac.org to view a round-up of media appearances by MPAC representatives since last night.)

Tarin was joined at the Washington, DC press conference by Imam Mohamed Magid, President of the Islamic Society of North America; Rizwan Jaka, board member of the ADAMS Center in Virginia; andAlejandro Beutel, MPAC’s Government and Policy Analyst, who moderated the event.

Magid reminded fellow Muslims that a diverse array of Americans have stood with Muslim Americans since 9/11 and differentiated between the terrorists behind 9/11 and the followers of Islam. Headded that his message to his community is that the Quran teaches Muslims to "stand firm for justice, even if is against our own self."

“I am very thankful to President Obama for making that distinction,” Magid said. "Bin Laden is not a Muslim leader and cannot be accepted in any community to be a leader because taking innocent life makes a person a criminal."

In Los Angeles, MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati and Senior Adviser Dr. Maher Hathout were joined by a prominent group of city leaders, including City Council President Eric Garcetti; the Rev. Jeff Carr, Chief of Staff for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca; LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing; Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater, Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center and Chairman of the Abrahamic Faiths Peacemaking Initiative ; Rabbi Steve Jacobs, founder of the Progressive Faith Foundation; John Ishvaradas Abdallah, World Without Borders Interfaith Sufi Ashram; Adnan Ul Haq Khan, President of the Council of Pakistan American Affairs; and Edina Lekovic, MPAC’s Director of Policy and Programming, who moderated the event. “In the United States, we can focus on the cohesiveness and unity of our society and look forward to seeing a better America, not seeing Muslims through the lens of dictators or through the lens of terrorists,” Hathout said. “There is a reality of Muslims that should be embraced and fostered in order to contribute alongside all other elements in our society in making the future of America.” “People are worried that something is going to happen now that Osama Bin Laden has been killed,” Garcetti said. “We want to assure everyone out there that this is a safe city.” Downing reinforced the sentiments of all law enforcement officials present in stressed that we all must stand together in this important moment and continue investing in our partnership in order to move forward as one united community. “This really marks the closing of a dark era and beginning of a new fresh hopeful era,” Downing said. “We’ve always said that our real counterterrorism strength came from our partnership with the Muslim communities, and especially the Muslim Public Affairs Council who’s been so vocal on the issue. They have been the ones to denounce terrorism, to denounce violence, to denounce Osama bin Laden from the very beginning. We very much appreciate that. We will continue this partnership because it brings real resiliency for our communities, and it’s going to be the longer term solution to this phenomenon we are seeing.” Jacobs, founder of the Progressive Faith Foundation, reminded those gathered that the mainstream Muslim voice has now been heard. “Today, the Muslim voice is heard throughout the world and no one can say anymore, ‘where are the Muslim voices?’” Jacobs said. “If I have any quiet jubilation about the demise of Osama Bin Laden, it is that our brothers and sisters can finally be heard. They have a message about peace and how we are to get along.” Baca underscored that there is still work to be done. “It’s a real privilege for us to be here at the Muslim Public Affairs Council’s headquarters, where so many Muslim Americans throughout this region of America have stood up,” Baca said. “We not only support this nation’s safety plans, we are part of this nation’s safety plans. We are going to continue to work closely with our own organization, the Muslim American Homeland Security Congress, and we are going to unify ourselves with our faiths –Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and all the various forms of worship. We’re all united in Los Angeles county to be the best Americans we can be.” “Our unity in America will be even more vital here, in protecting our country and enriching our pluralism,” Al-Marayati said. “With the unity that we have demonstrated today, we thank law enforcement, we thank our government partners, we thank the Muslim community and our Jewish and Christian allies in demonstrating pluralism and unity against all forms of extremism.” Today, the Department of Homeland Security also conducted a conference call with Muslim American leaders nationwide. DHS officials stated there has not been credible information to suggest there is an imminent terrorist threat on the U.S. and the national threat level will not be elevated. However, they asked everyone to remain vigilant. They also stated if there is any backlash in the community in the form of hate crimes to first call 911 and then contact your local police and FBI offices. If you need help contacting your local law enforcement offices, contact MPAC at 323-258-MPAC. Founded in 1988, MPAC is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim Americans. [CONTACT: Marium Mohiuddin,             323-258-6722      , marium@mpac.org]

HOW DOES MPAC HELP MUSLIMS & ISLAM IN AMERICA?

Founded in 1988, MPAC is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of American Muslims.