By Amal Beydoun | Senior Development Manager
New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, and Michigan; these are some of the places where we shared our Muslims for American Progress (MAP) research, photo narratives and short digital stories highlighting Muslim contributions to our nation over the last couple of months. You empowered us every step of the way, and it is because of your support that we were able to produce and share this critical work.
At the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University we put on an event titled "Countering Stereotypes: Muslim Impacts on NYC”, where we shared project findings and introduced attendees to some of the amazing people highlighted in our photo narratives. We were joined by two such people, Ali Abbas and Najmah Abraham who shared their remarkable stories and lent their voice to the data. You too can check out their stories and many others at www.muslimsforamericanprogress.org.
Across the Hudson, in NYC, we shared MAP with a group of 50 arts and culture philanthropists attending a symposium, Beyond Islamophobia: How American Stories Transform Communities, organized by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art and the Brademas Center at New York University. We shared our experience using our one of a kind research in moving beyond simply combating Islamophobia, and rather moving towards a vision of an America we want to see, one where diversity is embraced and all people are recognized for the strength of their character.
When we share MAP, we share narratives of real people, who strive everyday for the progress of our nation and society. Through MAP we explore together, the commonalities that unite us as human beings. And one conversation at a time we promote understanding and dialogue over bigotry and echo chambers. Today, we need this more than ever. But as you also know, MAP is not just about the stories, it also uncovers quantitative data about the American Muslim community. And at a time, when misconceptions and falsehoods spread too fast, MAP presents an opportunity to bring the conversation back to facts.
Thank you for being part of this exciting journey, and for helping us amplify the voices of the American Muslim community.
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