Authentic Voices for Principled Change
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What

2023 MPAC
Convention

Where

westin bonaventure

LOS ANGELES, CA

When

Saturday, nov. 11

Registration: 11:30 am

PROGRAM BEGINS: 12:15 PM

 

About the Convention

In an era marked by complex challenges, the convention's theme underscores the significance of genuine voices as catalysts for meaningful transformation. Through insightful panel discussions, interactive sessions, and thought-provoking presentations, we aim to explore the power of authenticity and truth in driving principled change, both individually and collectively.

This year’s convention promises to be an illuminating gathering, fostering meaningful discussions and insights on building a brighter future for our country and the next generation.

PROGRAM

11:30 AM | Registration

11:30 AM | CAMP IZZA (will run through end of Banquet Program)

12:15 PM | Fireside Chat Featuring Mehdi Hasan and Sabrina Siddiqui

1 PM | Panels

  • Religious Thought in THE CONTEXT OF CONTEMPORARY CRISES

  • The Future of Civil Rights for the Muslim Community

  • Special Message on Palestine

5:15 PM | Social Hour & CLDP Mixer

6:15 PM | Banquet Program

***If you are purchasing a daytime-only ticket, please be mindful that the banquet is NOT included in the daytime event lineup.

Times are subject to change. Please watch out for an email the week of convention detailing final program times.

Please take note of security measures that will be in place at the venue and plan accordingly. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

  • There will be no walk-up registration. All attendees must be pre-registered.

  • Registration staff will be checking ID's at the front door.

  • Do not bring large bags or backpacks.

2023 SPEAKER LINEUP

FIRESIDE CHAT AND BOOK SIGNING WITH MEHDI HASAN

Mehdi Hasan is an award-winning British-American journalist and host of ‘The Mehdi Hasan Show’ on MSNBC and Peacock. Hasan is the author of the 2023 New York Times bestseller, ‘Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking.’

I’m all in favor of free speech and the robust criticism of all religious beliefs. But it’s the made-up stories and the smearing of individuals and whole communities that I have an issue with. Why isn’t anti-Muslim bigotry as unacceptable in the press as anti-Jewish bigotry?
— Mehdi Hasan
 

EVENING KEYNOTE: DR. BASIL ABDELKARIM

Dr. Basil Abdelkarim is a Palestinian American physician born and raised in Southern California. He is a husband, father of five, activist, writer, and one of the founders of KinderUSA, an American Muslim nonprofit that works on behalf of disadvantaged Palestinian children. He is board-certified in internal medicine and has been practicing in California since 1996.

Mustafa Akyol

Senior Fellow, Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity

Dr. Javad T. Hashmi

Ph.D Candidate, Study of Religion (Islamic Studies), Harvard University

Khulood Madany

Activist

Asma Mohammadi

Lawyer & Legal Clinic Project Manager, Welcome.US

Niala Mohammad

Director of Policy & Strategy, MPAC

Mohammad H. Ali

Director of Government Relations, MPAC

Sabrina Siddiqui

White House Reporter, Wall Street Journal

Margari Hill

Co-Founder and Executive Director, Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative (MuslimARC)

Brian Levin

Professor Emeritus, Founding Director, CSU – San Bernardino Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism

Dina Chehata

Civil Rights Managing Attorney, CAIR-LA

Hedab Tarifi

Activist

Shaheen nassar

Irvine 11

Congresswoman barbara lee

D-CA 12th District

Faisal Kutty

Law Professor, Southwestern Law School

mayor farrah khan

23rd Mayor, City of Irvine

Haroon azar

Senior Fellow, UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations

Dr. ahmed soboh

Chairman, Islamic Shura Council of Southern California

Estee Chandler

Founder, Jewish Voice for Peace - Los Angeles Chapter

M. Faiyaz hussain

Attorney, Senior Advisor, Muslim Public Affairs Council

Dr. Manuel Pastor

Distinguished Professor of Sociology and American Studies & Ethnicity, University of Southern California

Aziza Hasan

Executive Director, NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change

Suhair Nafal

Director of Fundraising and Program Coordinator, Palestinian Assembly for Liberation - California

 

YOUTH PROGRAM: CAMP IZZA

This year’s convention will feature a special program for the youth! Camp Izza is for children ages 5-10 and will feature:

  • Islamically-themed arts and crafts projects

  • Games and sports of a variety of activity levels

  • Spiritual and educational activities, such as stories of prophets.

  • Food and snacks

Space is limited. More info on Camp Izza here.

Venue

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel

Los angeles, ca

Book on the westin bonaventure website.

Enter K6Y at checkout to receive a 15% discount off of The Westin’s best available *rates online.

*This rate is subject to change based on hotel availability.

 

Sign up for convention updates

 
 

2023 Convention Sponsors

 

interested in sponsoring?

contact Shahbano Nawaz at [email protected]

 

Past Speakers

 

Media
Personalities

 

Van Jones

President & Founder of the Dream Corps, CNN Commentator

Van Jones shares his thoughts on the "responsibility and burden" placed upon the American Muslim community. 

Khizr Khan

Gold Star Father

Khizr Khan shares his vision of the American Muslim community. "Our role will be defined in history as being chosen to defend [American] values." -- Khizr Khan

George Takei

Actor, Author, Activist

George Takei (Actor, Author, Activist) talks about the history of Pearl Harbor, Earl Warren and not allowing history to repeat itself.

AMY GOODMAN

BROADCASTEr, HOST of “Democracy now!”

Dedicated to the ideals of a free press, Amy Goodman highlights stories of courage and resistance dedicated to the ideals of a free press.

 
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David Hiller

Publisher, President, and CEO of the Los Angeles Times

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Debbie Allen

Actress, Director, Producer

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Robert Fisk

Writer, Middle East Correspondent for the Independent

 
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Reza Aslan

TV Host, Author, Scholar, Producer

MO AMER

Comedian

 

Political
Figures

 

Rep. rashida tlaib

D-MI 12th District

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib shares her experience as a Palestinian-American and how that shapes the ways she approaches injustices and advocates for her communities.

Rep. Xavier Becerra

D-CA 34th District

Congressman Xavier Bicerra thanks MPAC for the work its done and the effort it puts in to build communities by working together with other groups.

 
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Mayor Karen Bass

Mayor of Los Angeles, Former Congresswoman D-CA 37th District

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Thomas Perez

Party Chair of the Democratic National Committee

REP. ADAM SCHIFF

D-CA 30th District

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Ebrahim Rasool

South African Ambassador to the U.S.

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Rep. Andre Carson

D-IN 7th District

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Rep. Judy Chu

D-CA 27th District

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Joe Wilson

U.S. Ambassador to Niger

 
 

Interfaith
Leaders

 

Rev. Ed Bacon

Former Pastor of All Saints Church,
Activist

Rev. Ed Bacon is the chair of MPAC's inaugural Advisory Council. This Council advises us on strategy and programs, and is composed of leaders and opinion shapers with expertise in policy, entertainment, interfaith, law and academia.

Imam Khalid Latif

Executive director of the islamic center at nyu

Imam Khalid Latif was appointed the first Muslim chaplain at NYU in 2005. Imam Latif seeks to emphasize inclusiveness and understanding of others without compromise, while working to foster dialogue with people of other faiths in order to combat misconceptions and encourage education.

RABBI SARAH BASSIN

former Associate RABBI of TEMPLE EMANUEL, BEVERLY HILLS

Rabbi Sarah Bassin is a pluralist at her core, believing that we always have something to learn from those who are different than us – whether religiously, culturally, politically, or even Jewishly. With this passion to engage difference, Rabbi Bassin has reinvigorated Temple Emanuel’s young professionals community and work in social justice.

 
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Dr. Rick Warren

Founder and Pastor of Saddleback Church, Author

Dr. Rev. William Barber II

Pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church,
Architect of the Moral Monday Movement

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Grand Mufti Mustafa Ceric

President of World Bosniak Congress

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Imam Sayed Moustafa Al-Qazwini

Founder of Islamic Educational Center of Orange County

Civil
Society

 

Rashad hussain

United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom

Rashad Hussain serves as principal advisor to the Secretary and advisor to the President on religious freedom conditions and policy. He leads the Department’s efforts to monitor religious freedom abuses, persecution, and discrimination worldwide.

Graham E. Fuller

Former Vice Chairman of the National Intelligence Council of the CIA

Graham E. Fuller is an American author and political analyst, specializing in Islamic extremism. After spending 20 years in the CIA, he was appointed vice-chair of the National Intelligence Council.

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Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Advancement Project in Los Angeles, Attorney, Civil Rights Activist

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Shakeel Syed

Former Executive Director of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California

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Ahmed Zewail

Nobel Laureate, Scientist

Stephen woolery

Former FBI Special Agent in Change

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Stephen Rohde

Chair of the ACLU of Southern California, Founder and Vice-Chair of Interfaith Communities United for Justice

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Joe Stork

Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa at Human Rights Watch

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Mike Downing

Former LAPD Deputy Chief, Exec. VP of Security at Prevent Advisors

Professors
and Academics

 
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Dr. Cornel West

Former Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy, Harvard University, Activist, Author

Dr. ASIFA QURAISHI-LANDES

Professor OF LAW, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON

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Dr. John Esposito

Professor of Religion and International Affairs and Islamic Studies, georgetown university, Director of the Prince Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding

Dr. Larycia Hawkins

Professor of Political Science, University of virginia

 
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Jamal Badawi

Preacher, Professor, Public Speaker

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Ingrid Mattson

Professor, London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies at Huron University

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Juan Cole

Professor at the University of Michigan, Commentator