National Advocacy Day

The US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) is hosting the second annual National Muslim Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., scheduled to take place on April 18, 2016.

USCMO encourages the participation of all national, state and local Muslim organizations, houses of worship and community groups that want to join. Public registration for the event closes March 1, 2016.

Expected to draw hundreds of Muslim delegates from across the nation, this one-day event is open to representatives of all national, state and local Muslim organizations and communities.

The event is designed to connect national, regional and state Muslim organizations, community members with their elected representatives in Congress.

USCMO’S Advocacy day will focus on promoting a legislative agenda in support of equality and social justice issues that will be of benefit to all Americans, regardless of faith or background.

The first National Muslim Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill took place in April of last year and was attended by 280 delegates from more than 20 states who met with some 200 congressional offices – one third of the House of Representatives and almost half of the Senate.

“Building off the success of our first National Muslim Advocacy Day, we hope to double the number of American Muslim community members meeting with elected officials and their staff on Capitol Hill,” said Oussama Jammal, Secretary General of USCMO. “This coming April, Congress will once again have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with their Muslim constituents.”

“At a time when Congress is posed to adopt a number of bills that will impact the American Muslim community’s ability to counter violent extremism on its own terms and to travel internationally, it is important to connect legislators with the Muslim communities they represent,” said Robert McCaw, chairman of the USCMO Advocacy Day Steering Committee.

McCaw added: “We’ve already demonstrated that American Muslims can tip elections in key swing states and ‘move the needle’ in Congress on issues of great importance to our community. Now more than ever, we must work to politically empower Muslims so that they speak effectively to the issues that impact them most.”

Prior to the event, a series of online training seminars will also be offered to registered participants on effective advocacy techniques and on the day’s advocacy issues.

On the morning of the event delegates will be provided with breakfast and a series of seminars on Capitol Hill covering best practices on meeting with elected representatives, how to discuss the advocacy issues, as well as an opportunity to meet fellow participants and guides. Snacks and refreshments will be provided throughout the day to all those who register to attend.

The event will provide American Muslims with an invaluable opportunity to forge lasting relationships with members of Congress and policy makers. Participants will also demonstrate the ability of Muslim delegates to develop good will within Congress for domestic issues that reflect the interests and needs of their community.

For more information about the event or how your Muslim organization or community can participate, visit the event registration page.

For more information about the event or how your Muslim organization or community can participate, please contact the USCMO at: advocacy@uscmo.org.