MPAC 14th Annual Convention: America Deserves Better

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), will hold its 14th Annual Convention titled, "America Deserves Better," on Saturday, December 13 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

As one of the nation's leading public policy and civil liberties organizations, MPAC has profoundly influenced global policymakers on national security issues like the ISIS threat, domestic law enforcement agencies on racial profiling guidelines and shaped the portrayals of American Muslims in Hollywood.

"While communities across the nation have been shaken by the Ferguson and Staten Island grand jury cases, MPAC will devote considerable time on these topics including policy proposals to end systematic surveillance of local Muslim communities," said MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati.

This year's full day session, open to the public, www.mpac.org/convention will bring together some of the world's leading policymakers, academics, and community leaders for candid and provocative presentations about the defining issues shaping the reality and perception of Islam and American Muslims.

Building on the theme America needs us! #MPAC14 will focus on three topics: Let's Be Honest, Tackling Taboos in the American Muslim Community, Collaboration or Cancellation, Shaping the Image of Islam and Muslims in Hollywood and Crisis of ISIS, A Result of Failed Policies or Perverted Ideologies?

A banquet dinner program at 6pm will honor Rais Bhuiyan, an American Muslim who was shot in the head by a white supremacist days after 9/11. Compelled by his faith to forgive his assailant, Mr. Bhuiyan also led a national campaign to spare his life. His story inspired the best-selling book "The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas," which was also on the New York Times list of "100 Notable Books of 2014." "The True American" is soon to be released as a major motion picture directed by Oscar-winning Director Kathryn Bigelow. The event will conclude with the Community Partnership Award, presented to Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief Michael Downing for his leadership in strengthening relationships between law enforcement and American Muslim communities. 

WHERE:
Long Beach Convention Center
300 E. Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90802

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SOURCE Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)

Related Links

http://www.mpac.org