Videos

Dr. Ahmed Soboh: MPAC Community Changemaker Award

On November 18, 2019 By MPAC

Our annual Convention is a convening of ideas, leaders, and activists at the forefront of social change. Learn more at mpac.org/convention. Each year, we honor people who inspire and empower the American Muslim community with their leadership, dedicated service, and trailblazing work. The Community Changemaker Award is an opportunity for us to recognize the steadfast partners and allies walking beside us and to shine a spotlight on the inspiring progress happening in our communities. The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California was formed on April 20, 1995 to serve as an umbrella organization representing, collaborating between, and advocating for the growing number of mosques and Muslim organizations in the region. It now has a membership of more than 70 institutions. During his two-year tenure as chairman, Dr. Soboh’s leadership has expanded the reach and impact of the Shura Council’s programs, influence, and impact across the region, creating a more collaborative and inclusive environment for all. Under his leadership, the Shura Council opened its new headquarters in the City of Orange, adding to its capacity and long-term trajectory in serving its member organizations.

We Will Not Be Silent!

On November 18, 2019 By MPAC

How do we bridge the divide when fear and hatred are being weaponized? MPAC works with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, content creators in Hollywood, and community leaders around the country to combat bigotry and ensure Muslims are a vital part of the American fabric. Our annual Convention is a convening of ideas, leaders, and activists at the forefront of social change. Learn more at mpac.org/convention.

People are hungry for a different story

On October 23, 2019 By MPAC

“I had never seen myself represented in cinema, and I decided to tell this story” -Nijla Mu’min Writer, Director, Producer of Jinn Recipient of the 2019 MPAC Media Award It’s impossible for every American Muslim to identify with every character on screen. But can these diverse characters and stories open our perspectives to the diversity of our own communities? How do Muslim creatives balance the issue of “representation” with the content demands of the entertainment industry, and how do they make tough decisions on storylines under that pressure? ---------- Subscribe to MPAC's channel: http://bit.ly/MPACYouTube Like MPAC on Facebook: http://fb.com/mpacnational Follow MPAC on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mpac_national Follow MPAC on Instagram: http://instagram.com/mpac_national Visit MPAC's website: http://mpac.org About the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) We improve public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media, and communities. Help us to continue this work by making a donation today: http://mpac.org/donate

Silence cannot normalize hate

On October 5, 2019 By MPAC

"Put away the flags of cultural bias, hoist the colors of the human flag" - Sir Bob Geldolf It's critical that we come together and say "we will not be divided:" to counter white supremacy and write a new history together of an America where everyone has life and liberty.

Q&A session: Black Muslim Narratives in Entertainment | MPAC Hollywood Bureau

african american muslims

black narratives

questions and answers

On September 18, 2019 By MPAC

The MPAC Hollywood Bureau partnered with the Writers Guild Foundation and MuslimARC for a discussion that challenges the damaging tropes seen on screen by highlighting more authentic depictions of Black Muslim identities created by talented Black Muslim screenwriters. Watch the full panel: https://youtu.be/17IW-33g1-o SKIP AHEAD IN THIS VIDEO 0:10 -- How do you address when you get blowback about sharia law and other questions that don’t even relate to the story you are trying to tell? 2:26 -- Black Muslim love is not translated onto the small screen which will not end up making it to the big screen. Is there anything in the pipeline with a story about black Muslim love? 8:08 -- How do you raise funds for your work? 10:48 -- What are the challenges that you face dealing with the white executives that don’t understand the nuances of black Muslim culture as you create content? 13:57 -- Have you felt like the community criticizes your work? How are you dealing with the support or criticism of the community when trying to create authentic stories? 19:52 -- What are your takeaways from this conversation? Are you working on any projects that we can support? ---------- Subscribe to MPAC's YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/MPACYouTube Like MPAC on Facebook: http://fb.com/mpacnational Follow MPAC on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mpac_national Follow MPAC on Instagram: http://instagram.com/mpac_national Visit MPAC's website: http://mpac.org About the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) We improve public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media, and communities. Help us to continue this work by making a donation today: http://mpac.org/give

Black Muslim Narratives in Entertainment | MPAC Hollywood Bureau

african american muslims

black narratives

On September 18, 2019 By MPAC

The MPAC Hollywood Bureau partnered with the Writers Guild Foundation and MuslimARC for a discussion that challenges the damaging tropes seen on screen by highlighting more authentic depictions of Black Muslim identities created by talented Black Muslim screenwriters. Watch the Q&A after this panel: https://youtu.be/Tg1vfvnMjPQ SKIP AHEAD IN THIS VIDEO 0:00 -- Sue Obeidi introduction 3:44 -- How did you you enter entertainment and what have you done to lift up the black Muslim narrative? 23:26 -- Why are stories that don’t represent the demographics of Africa and African Muslims shared in the industry? Why is it that there is a challenge in the industry of telling Black Muslims' stories that represent the diversity of Black Muslim cultures? 34:53 -- Certain black Muslims in the industry are celebrated due to name recognition. How were you received in the Muslim community without having the name recognition? Are you being celebrated? What are the challenges? 39:01 -- For those who are interested in writing and want to write diverse characters, what are some of the challenges for both non-black Muslims and also non-Muslim African-Americans in developing authentic roles? 48:47 -- How can we help creatives and executives expand their concept of Muslim narratives in a way that expands the space for those narratives to breathe? 59:26 -- Can you speak on some emerging things that are happening in entertainment that are helping get Muslim narratives talked about? ----- Panelists: Aminah Bakeer Abdul-Jabaar - Writer and Director (Muslimah’s Guide to Marriage) Qasim Basir - Writer and Director (A Boy. A Girl. A Dream., Destined, Mooz-Lum) Nijla Mu’min - Writer and Director (Jinn, Dream, Deluge) Travina Springer - Actress & Comedienne (The Mule, Strange Angel, Comic View, Travel Ban) Moderated by Margari Hill, co-founder and Executive Director of MuslimARC. Opening remarks by Sue Obeidi, Director of MPAC’s Hollywood Bureau. ---------- Subscribe to MPAC's YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/MPACYouTube Like MPAC on Facebook: http://fb.com/mpacnational Follow MPAC on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mpac_national Follow MPAC on Instagram: http://instagram.com/mpac_national Visit MPAC's website: http://mpac.org About the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) We improve public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media, and communities. Help us to continue this work by making a donation today: http://mpac.org/give

Together We Can Combat White Supremacy

On August 30, 2019 By MPAC

"History is not a story that's happening to us - it's a story that we're writing together." Andre Henry It's critical that we come together and say "we will not be divided:" to counter white supremacy and write a new history together of an America where everyone has life and liberty. Hear from Rep. Adam Schiff, MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati, Activist Andre Henry, IKAR's Brooke Wirtschafter, All Saints Church in Pasadena's Rev. Susan Russell and Rev. Mike Kinman as we address the need for unity and action. We have a shared vision, and we are America.

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