London Mayor Sadiq Khan Visits the Islamic Center of Southern California
By Salam Al-Marayati
MPAC President
O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allāh is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Aware. — Surat Al-Hujurat 49:13
This week, the Los Angeles American Muslim community gathered at the Islamic Center of Southern California (ICSC) to hear from Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, as he addressed the community of Los Angeles in a gathering that perfectly illustrated the spirit of Surat Al-Hajarut 49:13: Men and women from the most pluralistic faith group in America, with every race and ethnicity represented, joined together to hear from the first Muslim Mayor of one of the world’s most diverse cities.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
As the world emerged from the lockdowns of the COVID pandemic, Mayor Sadiq Khan embarked upon a tour of several major American cities renowned globally as epicenters of finance, tech and film as part of an effort to unite communities and nations in the post-pandemic world. In Los Angeles, he learned about our work in fighting for representation in Hollywood and transforming the narrative on Islam and Muslims.
He was also excited to meet with the community leaders driving this vital charge, including event cosponsors Jihad Turk, President of the Bayan Islamic Graduate School; Iqbal Hassan, Chairperson of the ICSC Board of Directors; Mohammed Abdul Aleem, CEO of IslamiCity.org; and Jolanda Hussain-Hendriks, Principal at New Horizon School Los Angeles. The students of New Horizon School read a letter aloud that was drafted by the class to the Mayor of London. Their letter so moved Mayor Khan, following their presentation, he leapt up onto the stage to take a photo with the students.
“Each one of us has our own story to tell. It’s important that the children we have with us today, that you’re proud to tell your stories to the world.”
We were also excited to hear from Najmah Brown, member of the Board of Directors at the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Councilmember of MPAC’s African American Muslim Insight Council, and Director of Business and Legal Affairs at OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, and entertainment producers Mohannad Malas, founder of the M Film Lab, and Ahmos Hassan, founder and CEO of Muslim-focused production company Chariot Entertainment.
MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati and MPAC Hollywood Bureau Director Sue Obeidi also presented, and highlighted our work advocating for accurate, authentic, and nuanced Muslim narratives and protecting the image of Islam through storytelling.
Sue concluded her segment with a powerful proposal on behalf of the board and staff of MPAC, offering Mayor Khan the opportunity to partner with MPAC’s Hollywood Bureau on a Hollywood Summit for British Muslims. “We will bring Hollywood to you. Your office, the MPAC Hollywood Bureau, and an organization in your backyard, UK Muslim Films, which is doing great work in the area of narrative change, can partner to fast track the careers of those who want to also dedicate their lives in protecting the image of Islam through storytelling.”
Mayor Khan emphasized the importance of allyship through dark times, saying “We need to build a strong sense of social solidarity within our cities with events like this one today. Because our societies are stronger and safer when we’re open, inclusive and united.”
This event was representative of all our community has achieved and indicative of the future that lays before us. And there is one message the Mayor wanted to leave with our community, “When we celebrate and champion our diversity, rather than view it with suspicion, we choose hope over fear, and unity over division.”
We were honored to co-host the Mayor of London and want to thank all who attended this program after a long hiatus. Special thank you to our co-sponsors, the Islamic Center of Southern California, Bayan Islamic Graduate School, and Islamicity for their efforts in bringing the Mayor to Los Angeles for this event.
