(LOS ANGELES, CA – 2/29/2024) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today announced the launch of its newest civic engagement initiative, the Muslim Community Action Network (MCAN), during a recent Palestine advocacy teach-in event, titled “Organizing Power as a Muslim Community,” on Sunday, Feb. 25.
SEE: Photos from Organizing Power as a Muslim Community
MCAN is an alliance of Islamic centers and Muslim organizations that aims to influence local, federal, and international policies by organizing power as an American Muslim community to advocate for a more just world.
The event featured Palestinian-Americans Linda Sarsour and Basim Elkarra, who spoke on the importance of civic engagement for American Muslims and how the community can effectively advocate for Palestine. Sarsour is a racial justice and civil rights activist, community organizer, and the executive director and co-founder of MPower Change. Elkarra, who has lost over 70 members of his family in Gaza and is a plaintiff in a lawsuit against President Joseph Biden about the genocide in Gaza, is the executive director of the Sacramento Valley/Central California office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV/CC).
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“The strength of a society lies in the active participation of its members, and as Muslims, we have a responsibility to participate in civic engagement and use our collective voice to advocate for a fairer and more just world, not just for our communities here at home, but for everyone, everywhere.”
In a statement, CAIR-LA Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager Monica Rahim said:
“With over 200 attendees at our recent MCAN launch, it’s clear our community is excited and ready to engage more in the civic process. The genocide in Gaza has been a wake-up call about the importance of organizing within the Muslim community.
“The way that many elected officials have essentially brushed off our community has angered many and made it clear that we need to build our power on the ground, and with programs like MCAN, we can help the over 500,000 Muslims in Southern California get organized, get involved, and demand a seat at the table.”
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com