This is the archived version of MPAC's website. For the latest updates, visit mpac.org.
This is the archived version of MPAC's website. For the latest updates, visit mpac.org.
This is the archived version of MPAC's website. For the latest updates, visit mpac.org.
Muslim Public Affairs Council
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civil rights

Cenk Uygur: “Your Rights Aren’t Worth Anything If You Don’t Use Them”

Videos
american muslims
Cenk Uygur
civic engagement
civil rights
constitution
free speech
mpac
muslim public affairs council
Political Courage
salam al-marayati
The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati
The Young Turks
On October 9, 2026 By MPAC
In this clip from Episode 11 of The MPAC Podcast, The Young Turks founder Cenk Uygur delivers an impassioned message on civic participation, constitutional rights, and overcoming institutional intimidation. Cenk reminds American Muslims that they are 100% American with full constitutional protections - and that rights mean nothing unless communities have the courage to exercise them. Disclaimer:The views, statements, and opinions expressed by guests on The MPAC Podcast are solely those of the individual guest and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), host Salam Al-Marayati, its leadership, board, or staff. Watch full podcast episodes, analysis, and interviews on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Links in the description! 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/give.
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Beyond Polarization: How Jewish and Muslim Communities Build Coalitions Against Extremism

Videos
Amy Spitalnick
Charlottesville trial
civil rights
combating antisemitism
combating Islamophobia
great replacement theory
interfaith coalitions
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
mpac
Pluralism
salam al-marayati
US Politics
On September 2, 2026 By MPAC
How do minority communities protect democracy when extremist rhetoric moves from the fringes into the political mainstream? On this episode of the MPAC Podcast, host Salam Al-Marayati sits down with Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA). Drawing from her leadership in the historic federal civil lawsuit against the Charlottesville neo-Nazis that secured a $26 million verdict, Amy unpacks the mechanics of modern white supremacy, the lethal reach of the "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory, and why Jewish and Muslim safety are inextricably linked. Together, they dive candidly into difficult conversations: the normalization of anti-Muslim tropes during election cycles, controversial rhetoric at recent domestic summits, resisting the "litmus test" culture designed to fracture alliances, and the necessity of building resilient, pro-democracy coalitions across communities. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Salam Al-Marayati welcomes Amy Spitalnick (JCPA) 01:13 – The Charlottesville lawsuit: Lessons from winning a $26M federal verdict 03:45 – The Great Replacement theory from Europe to Buffalo and Christchurch 05:34 – Intertwined futures: Why anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim animus are linked 08:01 – Election cycle rhetoric and the mainstreaming of Islamophobia 10:26 – Unflattening the discourse: Holding two truths and distinguishing community from extremists 14:30 – Accountability within institutions and pushing back against bigoted rhetoric 20:50 – Dividing coalitions: Moving past manufactured litmus tests 25:38 – Protecting pluralism and the shared mission for American democracy 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/give.
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Why Jewish & Muslim Safety Are Interconnected

Videos
American Democracy
Amy Spitalnick
antisemitism
civil rights
Coalition Building
islamophobia
JCPA
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
mpac
muslim public affairs council
salam al-marayati
The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati
On September 2, 2026 By MPAC
In this clip from The MPAC Podcast, Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) CEO Amy Spitalnick joins host Salam Al-Marayati to address the rhetoric at the "Jewish American Summit" in Los Angeles. Spitalnick condemns anti-Muslim tropes and the exploitation of 9/11 fear, affirming that Muslim partners have been vital allies in fighting antisemitism and warning that hate is weaponized to pit communities against one another and weaken pro-democracy coalitions. Watch full podcast episodes and policy breakdowns on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Links in the description! 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/give.
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Haris Tarin Responds to Jake Lang Intimidation in Dearborn

Videos
civil rights
community advocacy
Dearborn Michigan
haris tarin
Haris Tarin MPAC
Jake Lang
Michigan Politics
mpac
muslim public affairs council
Voter Protection
voting rights
On August 20, 2026 By MPAC
Haris Tarin, Vice President of Policy and Programming at MPAC, responds to targeted intimidation attempts against the American Muslim community in Dearborn, Michigan. Tarin outlines MPAC's national initiative alongside civil rights and interfaith partners to protect ballot access and ensure every community member can exercise their constitutional rights freely. Subscribe to the channel for ongoing civil rights updates and community advocacy breakdowns. 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/give.
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Connie Rice on Abdul El Sayed

Videos
Abdul El Sayed
Black Voters
civil rights
connie rice
Democratic Party Machine
Electoral Strategy
mpac
muslim public affairs council
Political Coalition
salam al-marayati
The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati
On August 11, 2026 By MPAC
In this clip from The MPAC Podcast, host Salam Al-Marayati and civil rights attorney Connie Rice unpack the coalition dynamics between Arab American progressive candidates and Black voters. Reflecting on political campaigns like Abdul El-Sayed's, Connie Rice explains why highly educated progressive platforms often miss working-class Black constituencies. She outlines how political outsiders must approach trusted community leaders with humility, respect historical struggles, and present a clear, actionable agenda to bridge political divides. Watch full podcast episodes and policy breakdowns on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Links in the description! 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/give.
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