The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

The Double Standard of Political Condemnation

Coalition Building

Dearborn Michigan

Double Standards

muslim public affairs council

Political Accountability

salam al-marayati

The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

On September 3, 2026 By MPAC

On The MPAC Podcast, host Salam Al-Marayati and Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) CEO Amy Spitalnick discuss the double standards of political litmus tests. While Muslim Americans are routinely pressured to answer for commentators like Hasan Piker, political campaigns face zero scrutiny when tied to extremist incidents. Watch full podcast episodes and policy breakdowns on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Links in the description! Spitalnick explains why performative condemnation traps are weaponized to fracture pro-democracy coalitions and distract from real public safety. 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.

Why Jewish & Muslim Safety Are Interconnected

American Democracy

Coalition Building

Jewish Council for Public Affairs

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.

Former LAPD Deputy Chief: “Policing Is Not an Occupying Army”

Civilian Oversight

Community Policing

Law Enforcement Accountability

muslim public affairs council

Police Commission

salam al-marayati

The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

On August 27, 2026 By MPAC

In this clip from The MPAC Podcast, former LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing breaks down why dismantling community affairs and shifting away from community-based policing is a critical mistake. Downing explains that without continuous community engagement, advisory boards, and civilian partnership, a police department stops serving the public and functions like a military occupation. 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.

Former LAPD Deputy Chief: “ICE Agents Are Not Police”

Community Policing

Immigration Policy

muslim public affairs council

salam al-marayati

The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

On August 25, 2026 By MPAC

In this clip from The MPAC Podcast, former LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing speaks candidly about why Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents wearing "POLICE" labels damages public trust. With 35 years of law enforcement experience, Downing breaks down how authentic community policing is grounded in outreach, partnership, and prevention - principles entirely missing from ICE's aggressive tactics. 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.

Former LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing on Police Reform, Counterterrorism & ICE

civil liberties

Community Policing

Counterterrorism

dr. maher hathout

muslim public affairs council

salam al-marayati

The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

On August 25, 2026 By MPAC

In this episode of The MPAC Podcast, host Salam Al-Marayati sits down with longtime colleague Mike Downing, former LAPD Deputy Chief and head of the Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau. Reflecting on a 35-year law enforcement career spanning the 1965 Watts Riots to the 1992 Los Angeles Uprising, Downing breaks down what it takes to build authentic community-led policing, why federal consent decrees were essential to institutional LAPD reform, and the critical difference between local community police and militarized agencies like ICE. Salam and Mike also engage in a direct, candid discussion regarding post-9/11 counterterrorism policies, intelligence gathering, the roots of radicalization, and the ongoing stigmatization of American Muslim civil rights organizations. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & 35 Years on the LAPD Force 03:56 - Smart Policing vs. Hunting & Pursuing 08:32 - The 1992 Uprising, Christopher Commission & Federal Consent Decree 12:12 - America’s Homelessness Failure & Systemic Solutions 16:36 - Defund the Police Debate & Quasi-Military Structures 19:12 - Suspicious Activity Reporting, Intelligence & Community Trust 28:23 - Comparing Gang Dynamics to Counterterrorism & Radicalization 30:08 - The Problem with ICE: Excessive Force & Lack of Accountability 36:47 - Civil Rights Engagement: CAIR, MPAC & The Legacy of Dr. Maher Hathout 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 “Jihadist” Slur

Healthcare Reform

Midterm Elections

muslim public affairs council

Political Accountability

salam al-marayati

The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

On August 16, 2026 By MPAC

In this clip from The MPAC Podcast, Salam Al-Marayati reacts to Donald Trump using the term "jihadist" to describe Democratic candidates like Abdul El-Sayed. Salam breaks down how political leaders use identity smears and attacks on immigrant communities to deflect from core issues like healthcare access, foreign policy, and government accountability. 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.

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