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?”
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
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.
David Hiller
Publisher, President, and CEO of the Los Angeles Times
Debbie Allen
Actress, Director, Producer
Robert Fisk
Writer, Middle East Correspondent for the Independent
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.
Mayor Karen Bass
Mayor of Los Angeles, Former Congresswoman D-CA 37th District
Thomas Perez
Party Chair of the Democratic National Committee
REP. ADAM SCHIFF
D-CA 30th District
Ebrahim Rasool
South African Ambassador to the U.S.
Rep. Andre Carson
D-IN 7th District
Rep. Judy Chu
D-CA 27th District
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.
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
Grand Mufti Mustafa Ceric
President of World Bosniak Congress
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.
Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Advancement Project in Los Angeles, Attorney, Civil Rights Activist
Shakeel Syed
Former Executive Director of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California
Ahmed Zewail
Nobel Laureate, Scientist
Stephen woolery
Former FBI Special Agent in Change
Stephen Rohde
Chair of the ACLU of Southern California, Founder and Vice-Chair of Interfaith Communities United for Justice
Joe Stork
Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa at Human Rights Watch
Mike Downing
Former LAPD Deputy Chief, Exec. VP of Security at Prevent Advisors
Professors
and Academics
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
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
Jamal Badawi
Preacher, Professor, Public Speaker
Ingrid Mattson
Professor, London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies at Huron University
Juan Cole
Professor at the University of Michigan, Commentator