Pluralism

Salam Al-Marayati: How Interfaith Solidarity Averted Internment After 9/11

9/11 25th Anniversary

civil liberties

Interfaith Solidarity

Japanese American Internment

muslim public affairs council

salam al-marayati

St Johns Cathedral Los Angeles

The Guibord Center

On September 23, 2026 By MPAC

Speaking at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Los Angeles for The Guibord Center's 25th-anniversary Service of Spiritual Solidarity, MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati reflects on the enduring power of interfaith partnerships. He explains how solidarity - especially from the Japanese American community - helped avert mass internment after September 11, and why true public safety requires prioritizing human security, civil liberties, and our common humanity over endless surveillance and war. 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.

Salam Al-Marayati Calls Out Trump’s Dallas Midterm Speech

american muslims

Declaration of Independence

he MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

Midterm Elections

muslim public affairs council

salam al-marayati

On September 10, 2026 By MPAC

In this reaction segment from The MPAC Podcast, host Salam Al-Marayati responds to Donald Trump's address at a midterm political event in Dallas. Salam calls out the political opportunism of smearing Muslim American candidates like Abdul El-Sayed to rile up crowds, contrasts that rhetoric with business deals made overseas in the Gulf, and condemns the president joking about space technology targeting foreign names. 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.

Beyond Polarization: How Jewish and Muslim Communities Build Coalitions Against Extremism

Charlottesville trial

combating antisemitism

combating Islamophobia

great replacement theory

interfaith coalitions

Jewish Council for Public Affairs

salam al-marayati

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.

Salam Al-Marayati Rebuts Trump’s “Jihadist” Comments

Electoral Politics

muslim public affairs council

salam al-marayati

Separation of Powers

The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

US Constitution

On August 16, 2026 By MPAC

"The presidency has limited powers. The Constitution is about the separation of powers - we do not want an imperial presidency." When politicians cannot defend their record on the economy, healthcare, or foreign policy, they turn to ancient playbook tactics: racial scapegoating and religious slurs. On The MPAC Podcast, Salam Al-Marayati addresses Donald Trump's rhetoric labeling political opponents as "jihadists". Instead of engaging in policy debates with candidates like Abdul El-Sayed over universal healthcare or foreign military spending, politicians use manufactured culture wars to divide communities. American democracy depends on upholding the rule of law and enforcing constitutional checks on executive overreach. We must stay focused on the issues that actually impact everyday Americans: affordable healthcare, ending endless wars, and demanding representative governance. Why do you think voters continue to see identity-based attacks during election cycles instead of real debates on policy? Share your thoughts below.Instagram CTA:Tap the link in our bio to listen to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple #MPACPodcast #SalamAlMarayati #RuleOfLaw #ConstitutionalRights #ElectoralPolitics #FactCheck #CivilRights 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.

Democracy Forum Chicago: Protecting America’s Democracy in the Age of Political Extremism

american muslims

On September 22, 2022 By MPAC

The January 6 Committee (“J6”) hearings have highlighted to the world just how close the insurrectionists came to disrupting the peaceful transfer of presidential power in our country. Most importantly, the J6 Committee’s work has brought attention to the fact that there is a significant group of people in America (including many elected public officials) who favor authoritarianism over democracy and racism over the guarantees of equal protection for all under our Constitution. On this 21st anniversary of 9/11, we are reminded that the gravest threat facing America today is not from an external enemy, but from within. J6 Committee Chair Bennie Thompson has stated that "January 6th and the lies that led to insurrection have put two and a half centuries of constitutional democracy at risk.” In addition, Illinois’ Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger was recently quoted in a PBS FRONTLINE interview as saying when you: “Look at a lot of failed democracies or struggling democracies . . . You see politics that’s about vindictiveness or about power or about violating the law. . . . We need truth; we need to get back to the basic commitment to democratic norms. That’s what’s at stake at this moment.” Indeed America’s survival as a democracy is itself at stake at this moment. We gathered for an important conversation on the 21st anniversary of 9/11, as our expert panelists discussed their thoughts, ideas and recommendations on how all of us together can once again secure our country’s future as a functioning and vibrant democracy in this age of domestic political extremism. ---------- 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.

Democracy Forum: Combating the Great Replacement Theory

great replacement theory

On September 20, 2022 By MPAC

The Great Replacement Theory is an extreme and dangerous white nationalist conspiracy theory that targets all minority communities – and is being used more and more to stoke violence against these communities. Hosted by the California Legislative Jewish Caucus MPAC joined the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC) for a fascinating discussion with Kaleemah Kennon Muttaqi and Professor David Myers about the growth and harmful impact of The Great Replacement Theory, and how we can work together to combat it. Hosted by the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, and sponsored by the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC), our panel was hosted at the State Capitol in Sacramento. Speakers: - Professor David Myers, UCLA History Department Chair, Jewish History - Kaleemah Kennon Muttaqi, Community Organizer, Sacramento ACT Moderators: - Salam Al-Marayati, President, Muslim Public Affairs Council - David Bocarsly, Executive Director, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California ---------- 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.

National American Muslim Policy Conference: Closing Remarks

american muslims

On June 10, 2022 By MPAC

MPAC co-hosted the inaugural National American Muslim Policy Conference which brought together elected officials, experts, and leaders from across the nation to discuss our community's policy priorities and needs. We are proud to have worked alongside American Muslim Health Professionals, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition, and Emgage Action as part of the Community Collaborative Initiative. Closing Remarks by MPAC Board member, Mohamed Abdel Kader. The Community Collaborative Initiative, a community-based action research project hosted by Indiana University's Lilly School of Philanthropy, we cordially invite you to participate in the inaugural National American Muslim Policy Conference. ---------- 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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