Muslim Public Affairs Council - MPAC

Home
United States
Los Angeles, CA
Muslim Public Affairs Council - MPAC

We’re changing how America views Islam and Muslims! For media or press inquiries: [email protected].
(453)

08/28/2026

Mark your calendars- MPAC is bringing together incredible leaders for our Chicago Empowering Voices Gala on September 26, 2026.

Meet the lineup:

• Emcee: Ash-har Quraishi(Emmy Award-winning journalist, CBS News)
• Honoree: Dr. Rami Nashashibi (MacArthur Fellow & Founder, IMAN)
• Honorees: Badie & Hamza Ali (Co-founders, Watermelon Pictures)

Link to purchase tickets: https://www.mpac.org/events

08/28/2026

Holding Big Tech accountable means addressing the full scope of online harm. Meta continues to monetize from political outrage and anti-Muslim scapegoating while the community is left to bear the real-world cost.

Swipe to see our breakdown and click the link for the full statement: https://www.mpac.org/knowledge-resources

08/28/2026

“If we don’t interact with the community and build partnerships, why are we doing this? Policing is not an occupying army.”

What happens when law enforcement cuts back on community outreach and advisory boards?

On The MPAC Podcast, former LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing warns against dismantling community affairs divisions. Effective policing cannot simply be about response times and tactical force - it requires understanding community priorities, empowering neighborhoods to solve problems, and maintaining direct civilian oversight.

Without authentic partnerships and active community advisory councils, policing loses its legitimacy and begins operating like an occupying force.

Do you believe police departments today prioritize tactical response over genuine community relationships? Drop your thoughts below.

Tap the link in our bio to listen to the full episode with Mike Downing on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Accountability RuleOfLaw CivilianOversight

08/26/2026

“It wasn’t religious. It was the path that gangs took to recruitment, indoctrination, and mobilization.”

For decades, counterterrorism policies conflated religious observance with national security threats.

On The MPAC Podcast, former LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing breaks down what really drives violent extremism: behavioral indoctrination and criminal psychology - the exact same pathways found in street gangs.

As Salam Al-Marayati highlights, violent extremists are criminals, not representatives of faith communities. Effective public safety requires analyzing behavior, ending biased profiling, and protecting constitutional rights.

Why do you think mainstream media and policymakers still treat terrorism as an ideological/religious issue rather than a behavioral crime? Drop your thoughts below.

Tap the link in our bio to listen to the full episode with Mike Downing on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

RuleOfLaw CivilLiberties

08/25/2026

“I was personally offended because I was a police officer for 35 years, and the behavior I saw is not how police behave.”

Why do federal immigration agents wear “POLICE” across their vests when their operations look nothing like community public safety?

On The MPAC Podcast, former LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing explains why blurring the line between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement erodes community trust.

Authentic policing is built on community partnerships, transparency, and prevention. When federal agents rely on aggressive tactics without accountability, it undermines the safety of everyday citizens and damages the credibility of public servants.

Do you think federal agencies like ICE should be banned from wearing “POLICE” on their uniforms? Share your thoughts below.

Tap the link in our bio to listen to the full episode with Mike Downing on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

MikeDowning Accountability

08/25/2026

Continuing our conversations from MPAC’s The Muslim House® at the Tribeca Film Festival, this next reflection delves into the duality of the American experience on the 250th anniversary of our nation.

The duality being the tension between the "America of promises" and the "America of promises denied" - and how confronting both is essential to building a future grounded in shared principles for the generations to come.

We are honored to hold space for nuanced perspectives like these that explore what it means to reflect and look forward as American Muslims.

Stay tuned as we continue to share more stories from The Muslim House®! 🎬

08/24/2026

A piece of MPAC history on display. 🏀

Back in 2011, during the White House’s annual Iftar dinner, MPAC had the honor of presenting President Barack Obama with a special Ramadan gift: a basketball signed by NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon.

Fast forward to today, and that same basketball is featured in The Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, archived as a piece of history that marks our long-standing advocacy and presence at the highest levels of civic engagement. Swipe through to see our Vice President of Policy & Programming, Haris Tarin, holding the ball back in 2011 before it made its way to the White House.

08/23/2026

COMMUNITY ALERT | THREAT ASSESSMENT: YELLOW

An upcoming "Take Back LA" rally organized by activist Eoin Richard Connolly is set to target the Islamic Center of Southern California on Sunday, August 23rd at 1:00 PM.

While there is currently no explicit call for violence, the event's location at a Muslim religious institution, combined with Christian nationalist rhetoric, Crusader symbolism, and the organizer's ties to confrontational figures, creates a heightened risk of harassment, filming of congregants, and potential clashes.

Swipe through the slides for the full assessment from MPAC's Center for Security, Technology, and Policy. We urge our community to stay vigilant, look out for one another, and report any suspicious activity to center staff and local authorities.

08/19/2026

“We are not afraid. We are here, we are Americans, and attempts to intimidate our community will not work.” Haris Tarin, VP of Policy and Programming

In response to recent attempts to intimidate voters in Dearborn, Michigan, MPAC Vice President of Policy and Programming Haris Tarin makes it clear that fearmongering tactics have no place in our democracy.
 Dearborn represents a vibrant, thriving community of civic leaders, public servants, and families who contribute daily to the strength of this nation. Alongside local officials, interfaith coalitions, and civil rights organizations, MPAC is working actively to safeguard voter integrity and ensure that every American Muslim can exercise their constitutional rights without fear.
 How is your local community working to ensure that all eligible voters can cast their ballots safely and confidently? Share below.
 Follow Muslim Public Affairs Council for updates on voter protection initiatives and civic engagement efforts.

CivicEngagement VoterIntegrity

08/16/2026

“Instead of addressing the substance of what these candidates are saying, he goes on and on with manufactured smears.”

When politicians cannot defend their track record on the economy, healthcare, or foreign policy, they rely on identity-based fear tactics to divide voters.

On The MPAC Podcast, Salam Al-Marayati responds to Donald Trump’s comments attacking progressive candidates like Abdul El-Sayed as “jihadists”.

Rather than engaging in substantive debates over healthcare for all or U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, rhetoric is weaponized to stereotype entire communities.

As voters, demanding accountability means focusing on policies that directly affect our lives - not the manufactured panic used to distract from them.

Why do political campaigns continue to lean on identity attacks instead of debating real policy solutions? Share your perspective in the comments below.

Tap the link in our bio to listen to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Hashtags: PolicyOverPolitics CivilRights

Address

5930 N Figueroa Street 421005
Los Angeles, CA
90042

Website

http://mpac.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Muslim Public Affairs Council - MPAC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Muslim Public Affairs Council - MPAC:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Los Angeles?