The focus of this year’s advocacy day was on protecting free speech and nonprofit advocacy rights in light of growing legislative threats targeting Muslim, Arab, Palestinian and allied Jewish community organizations
Tenth Annual National Muslim Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill
By Elaine Pasquini
Photos by Phil Pasquini
Washington, DC: Some 750 Muslims from across the United States gathered in Washington, DC on April 28 and 29 for the tenth annual National Muslim Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill sponsored by the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO).
USCMO is an umbrella of Muslim organizations, which include the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Islamic Circle of North America, American Muslims for Palestine, Muslim Alliance in North America, Muslim American Society, Muslim Legal Funds of America, Muslim Ummah of North America, and The Mosque Cares – Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed.
“We definitely connect with members of Congress,” Osama Abuirshaid, National Director of American Muslims for Palestine, said of meeting with elected officials. “As American people we have the right to question them and hold them accountable. That is the mutual relationship. That’s what democracy is all about.”
During their two days on Capitol Hill, delegations from some 30 CAIR chapters across the United States met with their congressional representatives.
One advocacy group of ten young people from CAIR-Ohio, including the chapter’s executive director Khalid Turaani, spoke with a staff member from the office of Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, the Democratic representative of Ohio’s third congressional district.
They relayed their many issues, including the First Amendment right of free speech which was of particular importance this year to students at Ohio State University who faced new restrictions against academic freedom and freedom of expression.
Of grave concern to the Ohioans, also, was Beatty’s military and financial support for Israel in light of the more than 60,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza by the Israeli military since Oct 7, 2023. Fears about President Donald J. Trump reinstating the Muslim ban which would prevent Muslims from entering the United States were also discussed. One young man expressed uneasiness in even flying within the United States if this order should be reinstated.
Speaking at the reception following the successful advocacy meetings, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) expressed her appreciation for the large crowd gathered in the nation’s capital for the annual event and for standing up for their rights. “We’re not going to go anywhere, this is our country, and we will not be silent even when you [the administration] try to intimidate us,” the congresswoman said. “Do not wait for our community to be the target. We have to speak up… and make sure we are connected with each other.”
Ilhan Omar (D-MN) voiced her pride in the record-breaking number of Muslims in attendance. “I think in this moment of challenges and trials we have to lead the way in fighting for our constitutional rights…due process…and the protection of our students and educational institutions,” she said.
Specifically addressing the women gathered at the event, Rep Lateefah Simon (D-CA) said: “Your place is on Capitol Hill; your place is in elected office; your place is in the CEO chair. Let us teach, let us run for office, let us keep praying for the peace that we all…deserve as human rights.”
The focus of this year’s advocacy day was on protecting free speech and nonprofit advocacy rights in light of growing legislative threats targeting Muslim, Arab, Palestinian and allied Jewish community organizations. In addition, opposing discriminatory travel bans and calling for US action to end genocide and human rights abuses in Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan and China were also top issues raised with congressional representatives.
Most importantly, CAIR National Director Nihad Awad pointed out, “The advocacy doesn’t end here. Take it back to the elected representatives in your state.”
(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)
