Year End

Sent: December 19, 2008

Dear Friends,
We are coming to the end of 2008 and the beginning of a new year and a new era in America.  As we prepare to enter this new era, we have an opportunity to do our part to repair the damage that has been done to the American dream and its ideals.  Please join us in meeting this challenge.
There is lots of work to do. At Muslim Advocates, our work in the months ahead will focus on legal, legislative and communications strategies to support our initiatives to end racial and religious profiling and to strengthen the ability of Muslim Americans to fulfill their religious obligations of zakat, or charity, without fear or intimidation
Muslim Advocates is playing a critically important role.  We use our experience in and knowledge of the legal and political systems to develop strategies to advance our initiatives.  We leverage relationships within the Muslim community, as well as with allies in the privacy and civil liberties communities, media, and government officials across the political spectrum.  We not only flag grievances but we develop and promote solutions to address these grievances.
This work requires not only vision, dedication, perseverance and the ability to bring together allies and partners who share in our mission, but also resources.
I would like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on our work, remind you about how much we rely on your support, and ask you to help meet our fundraising goals for the year.
First, some highlights from this year:
  • Muslim Advocates testified before Congress at a hearing on racial profiling and border security about the challenges Muslim Americans confront when returning to the U.S. after overseas travel.  Our testimony was featured in several newspapers (including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today) and other news outlets.  We not only shared the experiences of the Muslim community but we made specific recommendations for policy reform, many of which were included in legislation later introduced by members of Congress.
  • Muslim Advocates partnered with the Better Business Bureau-Wise Giving Alliance to educate and strengthen Muslim nonprofit leadership on governance, financial recordkeeping, and transparency issues that will enable Muslim charities to continue their good work and to raise more money.  Our first training session with San Francisco Bay Area mosques and Muslim organizations exceeded our expectations for attendance with nearly 40 organizations represented.
  • Muslim Advocates collaborated with Alliance for Justice to co-author a legal advisory on election year do's and don'ts, which was distributed nationally to mosques, Imams and Muslim nonprofits.
  • Muslim Advocates produced and distributed “Got Rights?”, a video containing crucial information about how individuals and their families can protect themselves when approached by law enforcement and that has already been seen by more than 10,000 viewers nationwide.
These accomplishments were the result of our legal and political knowledge and expertise, relationships and a vision for success.
One conclusion is particularly clear: if Muslim Advocates was not there providing guidance to Muslim nonprofits and advocating concrete proposals to protect the rights of Muslim Americans and our nation’s founding ideals, no one would be there.
For Muslim Advocates to carry on this very important work and build on it in 2009 and beyond, we need your support.  Please help us meet our fundraising goals for the year by making a tax-deductible donation now.  
We thank you for your continued support. 
Wishing you and your family all the best in 2009.
Warmest regards,

Farhana Y. Khera

President & Executive Director

Muslim Advocates



 

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  • "I’ve been repeatedly questioned, searched, and harassed when returning home from overseas travel. Muslim Advocates helped me get my story told to Congress. Now, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Congress are paying attention. But more must be done – and resources are needed. I urge you to support Muslim Advocates."-- Jawad Khaki, executive vice president of a major high tech company and Muslim community leader in the Greater Seattle area.


  • "Muslim Advocates provides necessary leadership and expertise to protect our rights and to enhance our community's civic participation. This is a vital organization that provides a unique service to the American Muslim community. I am impressed with their professionalism, focus and effectiveness. They deserve our full support." -- Dr. Ingrid Mattson, President, Islamic Society of North America