Community Leaders Have ‘Ah-Ha’ Moment

The Muslim Advocates team recently met a number of community leaders who had never heard of the work we do to promote freedom and justice for Americans of all faiths. It was great to watch their ‘ah-ha’ moment as they learned about our lawsuits, seminars, advocacy, toolkits, and resources, and saw how our work impacts and benefits their local communities.

The team met these community leaders at one of the largest gatherings of American Muslims, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) annual convention in Detroit, MI, August 29-September 1. The convention typically attracts tens of thousands of people.

20140830_173234The Muslim Advocates team—including Executive Director Farhana Khera and Deputy Director Naheed Qureshi—attended ISNA to raise awareness on key civil rights issues and learn about pressing issues facing the American Muslim community. In addition to sharing our activities to strengthen charities and mosques, we spotlighted links between what happened to Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO and discrimination and racial profiling American Muslims face. It was heartening to see that attendees made the connection that profiling affects many diverse American communities.

Community leaders also heard about our work to counter anti-Muslim bigotry online at a panel moderated by Staff Attorney Madihha Ahussain. The panel focused on developing strategies for countering anti-Muslim hate and featured a lively session with attendees.

Authored by Junaid Sulahry, Outreach Manager, Muslim Advocates