“From Religious Freedom to Religious Responsibility”.  This annual event was organized Under the Patronage of: H.E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.  The conference was Titled: Peacemaking in a Destabilized World.

Since 2013, the MPAC Empowering Voices Awards have honored political, civic, and cultural leaders working to perfect American pluralism by championing the civic and political empowerment of American Muslims.

These awards bring together the nation’s most influential advocates to celebrate causes and individuals who have worked with us to promote American Muslim values of freedom, justice, and equality for all. The honorees go beyond simply acknowledging others as communities of faith, ethnicities, and race. Their individual and collective efforts increase understanding and improve policies. Our vision of an America enriched by the vital contributions of American Muslims becomes achievable through their work. These are the heroes who amplify our voices.

This year, MPAC honored Senator Bernie Sanders with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Senator Sanders, a long-time ally of the American Muslim community has consistently championed our shared values. He opposed President Trump’s Muslim Ban and stood as a strong critic of President Biden’s support for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza.

MPAC also deeply honored and posthumously recognized extraordinary journalist Shireen Abu Akleh with the Empowering Voices Award.  Shireen’s voice brought the truth of the Palestinian struggle to the world. In 2022, her tragic and unjust killing shook our hearts, but her legacy continues to inspire. Her commitment to speaking out against oppression and injustice exposed the tyranny to the wider world, and her courage in speaking the truth will impact generations to come. We are honoring her as a symbol of all the journalists killed in Gaza since October 7th.

They also honored Naz Shah, a senior British Muslim member of Parliament and a leader in the Labor Party. MP Shah was instrumental in standing firm against the recent Islamophobic right wing riots, targeting British Muslims.

Imam Talib Shareef and various experts from around the world, especially from Latin America, were invited to serve as presenters. They all offered innovative perspectives, strategic insights, and active tools to promote inclusive, open, integrative education with a view to establishing a culture of peace, human rights, and intercultural dialogue. Our delegates were Fitrah Muhammad, Warees Majeed, Sultan Muhammad, Shakir Muslim, Imam Rashad Abdul Rahmaan, and Savas Ozturk.

In a world in crisis, where levels of violence, hate speech, and discrimination are increasingly alarming, with unsustainable rates of inequality, we need more than ever to rethink education in light of dialogue and inclusion. The Hizmet movement, founded by Fethullah Gülen, has played a fundamental role in promoting education and fostering dialogue among diverse communities. Through its extensive network of schools, universities, and educational initiatives, the movement has prioritized the value of education as a means to cultivate individuals who are not only academically competent but also socially responsible and compassionate. These educational institutions have often served as platforms for interreligious and intercultural dialogue, fostering understanding, tolerance, and collaboration among people from different backgrounds.

By emphasizing the importance of empathy, respect, and mutual understanding, the Hizmet movement has significantly contributed to fostering a culture of peace and cooperation in societies around the world.

This milestone event celebrated Rumi Forum’s legacy of interfaith dialogue and honoring individuals who have made exceptional contributions toward the promotion of peace, dialogue, and inclusion. We congratulate our beloved Imam Dr. Talib Shareef, who is internationally recognized dialogue advocate, for being the honored recipient of this year’s 2024 Dialogue Award.

The award was presented by Rev. Thomas L. Bowen, Senior Advisor for Public Engagement at the White House, who leads the administration’s faith engagement efforts. Rev. Bowen has had a distinguished career as a faith leader, community organizer, and advocate for social justice. He currently serves as the Earl L. Harrison Minister of Social Justice at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC, and has worked extensively with the Children’s Defense Fund. His leadership has made a profound impact on both local and national levels, earning him the recognition as “DC’s Pastor.”

Warithudeen Mohammed II is the eldest son of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, the leader of the Nation of Islam who in 1976 transformed it into an orthodox and mainstream Sunni Islamic movement. He is President of The Mosque Cares, a charitable organization established by Imam W Deen Mohammed. The organization sponsors classes in Qur’anic Arabic and financial literacy, as well as informational sessions in health and nutrition, and business and entrepreneurial initiatives.

Alhamdulillah! The Underpinning continues to be underway.

There was a short pause due to discoveries during underpinning excavation requiring revised structural drawings from the structural engineer that had to be coordinated through the applicable authorities. The social hall has been completely gutted, the walls that separated the kitchen as well as the boiler room and all mechanics associated have been removed and underpinning excavation in motion.

There has been a lot of movement with the appropriate offices and departments for energy conservation, all infrastructure for utilities, etc, as well as numerous meetings and coordination with the Department of Buildings. We will continue to provide updates to give you a sense of the progress. We’ve got excellent competent managers involved the this exciting historic project.

Please continue to support our day to day operations and our numerous activities with your volunteerism, donations, and encouragement.

With Israel’s most recent bombing attacks and killings of civilians, noncombatants, innocent men, women, and children, with the majority being women and children (literally blown to pieces). This is in addition to the mass displacement that continues to add compounded devastation to the lives of highly vulnerable families, children, etc.

So many, too many civilian deaths, injuries, and those who have become sick, for various reasons as a result of the imposed, massive humanitarian crisis. In a time of warfare and great suffering it is essential that emergency healthcare services are maintained to treat the injured and the dying.

We appeal to our American government, President Biden and to the Israeli forces to stop the violence, stop the killing,
stop the maiming, and put an end to the targeting of civilians and all vulnerable people.

We demand all parties agree to an immediate ceasefire.