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We live in a time of great challenges and even greater opportunities. This is vividly apparent when one reflects on what happened to the sign in front of our mosque. Three weeks ago, one individual took a sledgehammer and in an act of hate damaged the sign. This was the most daring act of hate against our organization in its ten-year history. However, that single act of one individual caused an outpouring of support from hundreds of our co-citizens. Following that incident, countless friends attended our open house, visited us, wrote to us, called us, supported us and defended us. And this morning, over 50 dignitaries and leaders placed their handprints in cement restoring the sign. Some 200 co-citizens braved the inclement weather to attend the ceremony. Hate was overwhelmingly defeated by a strong show of unity. And when there is unity in a city, security and prosperity are quick to follow.
The question though is: how do we ensure that as the wet cement dries up, our passion for unity, security and prosperity does not dry out as well? How do we move from this one-time display of unity to an ongoing, action-oriented, result-producing act of unity? How do we advocate for a community where Muslims and other minorities always have security? How do we leverage this broad sense of security into productive prosperity for all? How does MAPS respond to the multitude of our members who in the past four weeks have felt worried and insecure?
When faced with deep challenges, MAPS has always responded by doing two things: first, we look comprehensively at the situation and come up with strategic, long-term, effective solutions. Second, we invest in dedicated resources to bring the solutions to fruition. I am very excited to announce that today we are launching a new initiative to address the present challenges in a comprehensive way, and that Aneelah Afzali is joining MAPS full time as Executive Director of this new initiative!
The initiative called MAPS-AMEN, which stands for American Muslim Empowerment Network, will have the mission of further developing and mobilizing our coalition of friends and allies, of educating communities about Muslims and Islam, of leveraging media in a positive way, and of inspiring and empowering youth to be the next generation of leaders. MAPS-AMEN will seek to partner with many Muslims and non-Muslim organizations to strengthen our unity, to ensure our security and to advance prosperity for all. If I am excited by the launch of MAPS-AMEN, I am euphoric that Aneelah will be leading the initiative!
Aneelah is highly accomplished and a beloved member of our community. She has a degree in Psychology from the University of Oregon Honors College and a Law degree from Harvard. She worked for two law firms, making partner at one, and then was General Counsel leading the Legal Department of a local healthcare technology company. Aneelah co-founded and was president of the Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington. She has been an interfaith leader, a community activist, a social justice advocate, an educator and presenter, an events coordinator, a strategic adviser, a motivational speaker and a mentor! And she is the new Director of our soon-to-be-announced MAPS-MCRC Legal Clinic, yet another free initiative for the entire community here at MAPS launching in the new year!
Tonight, during the program with Imam Magid at 7PM, Aneelah and I will give further details about MAPS-AMEN and its objectives. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions. Please do attend.
I ask all of you to pray for the success of this new initiative, to seek the guidance of Allah Almighty and to seek his forgiveness in our shortcomings. Please join me in congratulating Aneelah and welcoming her in this new role.
Jazak-um-ullah-khairan / Thank you
Mahmood Khadeer
MAPS President
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