Saturday, October, 28th, 2023
7:30pm - 10pm
In context of the current conflict, Muslims across the DMV are facing a steep uptick in discrimination in both school and the work place. Come learn your civil rights so you can stand in solidarity with confidence. We will begin the night with an engaging panel discussion and end in communal supplication — empowered by both knowledge and faith. (Tea and coffee will be provided courtesy of the conference center.)
Joining us will be Zanah Ghalawanji, a civil rights attorney at the CAIR Legal Defense Fund, Ambereen Khan, co-founder of Muslim Advocates and a member of the Muslim Cohort of the Montgomery County Anti-Hate Task Force, as well as Lawyer Abed Ayoub, the National Executive Director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).
Our hearts are breaking for the injustices both locally and overseas. As believers we know that in the remembrance of Allah (swt) hearts find peace. After the panel discussion, community members will bond through dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and prayers for those who need them most.
Resources:
CAIR has developed the following resources for students and employees as you navigate anti-Palestinian, anti-Muslim, and/or anti-Arab sentiment in schools and in the workplace during this time.
For students and student activists:
Guidance for Students Targeted in Response to Palestine Rights Advocacy
Guide for Students Speaking Out Against Islamophobia and for Palestinian Rights
For employers and employees:
Letter to U.S. Employers in Response to Islamophobic and Anti-Palestinian Rhetoric in the Workplace
U.S. Corporate Leaders Promote Anti-Arab, Islamophobic Bias
Template Corporate Pledge to Uplift Arab and Muslim Communities
Zanah Ghalawanji is a civil rights attorney at the CAIR Legal Defense Fund, based in Washington, D.C. Her passion lies in protecting civil rights, advocating for justice, and challenging discrimination. She handles a wide range of issues affecting our community, including employment discrimination, FBI-related matters, watchlisting, and other civil rights concerns.
Ghalawanji has a juris doctor degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2018. She previously graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2015 where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology.
Ambereen Khan is a member of the Muslim Cohort of the Montgomery County Anti-Hate Task Force. She is the co-founder of Muslim Advocates, a national civil rights organization that was established after 9/11 to educate and advocate for civil and human rights.
She has led over fifty workshops, trainings and teach-ins on the fundamentals of civic engagement to “Knowing Your Rights” to confronting Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry. She has trained trainers, law enforcement, public officials and local community religious and faith leaders over the last 20 years.
In addition to her volunteer and consulting work, Khan serves as the host and executive producer for Inspired by Interfaith Voices, a nationally syndicated award-winning public radio program that airs weekly on 108 stations around the country. Each week the program explores and investigates how faith and beliefs shape our world.
Khan has served in her local community public schools as well as leadership positions with national and regional organizations including the NCCJ, SAALT, Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, The Interfaith Alliance Foundation and, the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington. Khan lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with her family.
Abed A. Ayoub serves as the National Executive Director of the American-Arab Anti- Discrimination Committee (ADC), the country’s largest Arab American civil rights organization. Throughout his career Ayoub has worked to address issues impacting Arabs and Muslims in the United States, including matters related to discrimination, immigration, hate crimes, surveillance and profiling. Under his leadership the ADC Legal Department has successfully assisted and provide pro bono support to thousands of impacted community members across the country.
Ayoub regularly advocates on behalf of the community with lawmakers and government agencies, and also works to enhance the community’s economic empowerment, and access to education. He is a regular commentator on national and international media and has developed a strong reputation for his commitment to social justice and access to justice for all.