The Race to 2016: Be a Part of the Change
By Hoda Hawa
Director of Policy & Advocacy
MPAC
With less than 12 months before the 2016 elections, we are preparing the groundwork for advocacy on our platform issues with the next administration, members of Congress, and the larger policymaking community.
In partnership with New America , we hosted our second annual DC Policy Forum this week -- “The Race to 2016: American Muslims, the Elections and Beyond.” C-SPAN broadcasted the last session on effective American Muslim advocacy models. See photos from the event here .
The Policy Forum served as a platform to engage policy and media experts with national American Muslim leaders to advance a dialogue on our domestic and foreign policy priorities ahead of the 2016 elections. Our next steps include setting up working groups and coalitions to create action plans on issues like countering rising Islamophobia in politics, making mosques relevant to our youth, and engaging our leaders.
American Muslims enrich U.S. policymaking every day, so after the forum we hosted a reception on Capitol Hill recognizing American Muslims serving in government. Officials from Congress, the White House, and Departments of State, Defense, and Education attended.
There is a lot of work left to be done and it must be done together. Mobilizing around our shared values and principles is the most effective way to create change in the current political landscape. Schedule a civic engagement workshop in your community and be a part of the change.
Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council improves public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media and communities.
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