December 24, 2020
Muslim Organizations Meet With Biden Transition Team To Discuss Key Priorities
Washington, D.C.- Emgage Action and representatives of key Muslim organizations met with members of the Biden-Harris transition team to discuss key domestic and foreign policy issues, including combating Islamophobia, ending the Muslim Ban, criminal justice reforms, pursuing a values-driven foreign policy, and inclusion of Muslim Americans in the next administration.
Muslim American participants raised the importance of establishing a standard definition of Islamophobia and investing in training at federal agencies and the educational sector. Looking to ending the Muslim Ban on day one of a Biden-Harris Administration, the group sought changes to discriminatory vetting requirements that are often used to deny Muslim asylum seekers and visa applicants. The group also raised the need to pursue criminal justice reform and police accountability measures, and adopting a human rights-centered foreign policy that consulted with relevant Muslim American communities given their interests and expertise.
During this summer’s “Million Muslim Votes” Summit, Biden famously vowed to end the Muslim Ban on the first day of his presidency and to take measures to address rising Islamophobia at home and abroad.
Through the Million Muslim Votes campaign, Emgage Action galvanized an unprecedented number of Muslim American voters to secure decisive victories for the Biden-Harris ticket in swing states, inclduing Pennsylvania and Michigan.
“Muslim voters played a pivotal role in helping elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. From ending the Uyghur genocide to upholding the rights of Palestinians to addressing systemic racial inequities affecting communities of color here at home, we look forward to continuinng our engagement with the Biden-Harris team and contributing in a meaningful way on the issues that concern us as Muslims and as Americans.” – Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action
Emgage Action is a Muslim civic advocacy organization, with national headquarters in Washington, D.C., and state chapters in Michigan, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New York.