The goal of the Democracy Forums is to help construct bi-partisan policy solutions where all citizens, both in the public and private sector, can collectively work together to prevent the erosion of our shared democratic values, norms and institutions
Chicago’s Democracy Forum: Protecting America’s Democracy in the Age of Political Extremism
By Rebecca Husaini
Chief of Staff
MPAC
On the 21st anniversary of 9/11, we held the second of our nationwide, non-partisan Democracy Forum series at the Muslim Education Center (“MEC”) in Chicago.
MPAC’s Democracy Forums being held in Washington DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston and Sacramento are a series of engaging discussions with influential policy makers, elected officials, academics, various civic and community leaders and community allies on the state of our American Democracy.
The goal of the Democracy Forums is to help construct bi-partisan policy solutions where all citizens, both in the public and private sector, can collectively work together to prevent the erosion of our shared democratic values, norms and institutions.
In Chicago, our topic of discussion was Protecting America’s Democracy in the Age of Political Extremism. Our expert panelists shared their thoughts, ideas and recommendations on how all of us together can continue to secure our country’s future as a functioning and vibrant democracy in this age of extreme polarization.
Opening remarks were delivered by US Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), who is in her twelfth-term in Congress, followed by a dynamic panel discussion. Our expert panelists included: Sadia Sindhu, Founding Executive Director for the Center for Effective Government, a non-partisan research center housed at The University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy; Zeenat Rahman, Executive Director for The Institute of Politics at The University of Chicago;and US Congresswoman Marie Newman (IL-3). The panel was moderated by M. Faiyaz Hussain, MPAC’s Sr Advisor for Strategy & Policy.
Congresswoman Schakowsky offered powerful opening remarks as she recounted the impact the American Muslim community has had on legislation in Congress – through our sustained and collaborative efforts in activism and advocacy – including the recent passage of the No Ban Act in the House.
Our panelists then presented inspiring stories and examples, from the two decades that have transpired since 9/11, of how American Muslims have been at the forefront of the fight to make sure America stays true to its founding ideals of freedom and equal justice for all.
Sadia Sindhu and Zeenat Rahman, both alumna of our host location, MEC – which is part of the Muslim Community Center in Chicago, returned to the school of their formative years, and proudly reflected on the strength of the American Muslim community’s civic engagement. They shared their own personal journeys on how they came to lead world-class institutions and urged all in attendance, but especially the youth, to consider entering public service. They also encouraged everyone, no matter what one’s chosen profession, to follow their passions and help create impactful change by solving America’s and the world’s most pressing problems.
Congresswoman Marie Newman spoke passionately about how we should all courageously take on difficult conversations and also about the urgent need to work together with our allies to counter the threat to democracies at home and abroad. At numerous times throughout her remarks, she referenced MPAC’s op ed that was recently published in the Chicago Sun Times. This Op Ed provides an American Muslim perspective on what the MAGA movement represents to us and the rest of the minority communities in America. She repeatedly endorsed MPAC’s view that we need to hold the thought leaders and perpetrators of the J6 insurrection accountable – as these domestic political extremists pose an extremely serious existential threat to our American democracy, and in turn, to each one of us directly.
The inspirational discussion left the audience energized and reminded us all that American Muslims are already playing a critical role in ensuring the vibrancy of American democracy. However, their message was clear – we all can be doing a lot more, incorporating the lessons learned over the past two decades, to ensure that our democracy not only survives but continues to thrive.
Underscoring the impact of the discussion, in the days following the event, both Congresswomen tweeted from their official House of Representative Twitter accounts about how proud they were to be supporting MPAC’s work in this critical endeavor. You can read their sentiments here and here .
In closing, we thank our speakers, audience members and co-sponsors, Chicago’s MCC/MEC, IL Muslim Civic Coalition and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) for joining us in supporting this important conversation.
Watch the highlights of the event on our YouTube channel .
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