Muslim Delegates Nationwide to Converge on Capitol Hill during 2nd Annual Muslim Advocacy Day

Hundreds of Muslim delegates from across the nation will gather on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on April 18 duing National Muslim Advocacy Day. The one-day event, which is open to representatives of all national, state and local Muslim organizations, is being hosted for the second consecutive year by the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO).

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

Delegates will attend 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.

Organizers are hoping to provide Muslim Americans with an invaluable opportunity to forge lasting relationships with members of Congress and policy makers. They also look to demonstrate the ability of Muslim delegates to develop good will within Congress for domestic issues that reflect the interests and needs of their community.

"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.”