Religion seems to part of the conversation again during this election, especially with President-Elect Donald Trump in the picture.
On November 14, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) announced the Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council, a new national group of leading Muslim and Jewish Americans, according to a press release.
The Council brings together recognized business, political, and religious leaders in the Jewish and Muslim American communities to jointly advocate on issues of common concern. Stanley Bergman, CEO of Henry Schein, and Farooq Kathwari, President and CEO of Ethan Allen, are the Council’s co-chairs.
“Our two communities share much in common and should find ways, where possible, to work together for the benefit of the entire country,” said Stanley Bergman, Co-Chair of the Council.
“The Council aims to provide a model for civic engagement by two communities, vital to American society, that agree to work together on issues of common concern and overlapping interest,” added Farooq Kathwari, Co-Chair of the Council.
Action items for the council include highlighting contributions to American society, developing a strategy to address anti-Muslim bigotry and anti-Semitism in the U.S, and protecting and expanding the rights of religious minorities in so they may practice their faiths in full freedom safely.
Earlier this year, ISNA collaborated with communications agency Funbully to adapt its story for a nation-wide audience and help bridge its longstanding divide with mainstream media.
Their conference, which was held on Labor day, drew an estimated 15,000 attendees. Speakers ranging from political figures like US Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Khizr and Ghazala Khan to scholars, athletes, community leaders and ISNA officials spoke on the issues facing millions of Muslims amidst challenging political times.
Funbully helped ISNA with an outreach targeting mainstream media including the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Univision, ABC, CBS, WGN, Politico, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and more.
“We knew from the outset that ISNA’s story would transcend any one media feature or interview. It wasn’t merely about the annual convention, or even what the event meant in the context of the election, said Jamie Hannah, Co-Founder at Funbully.
“It was about shining a light on the many inspiring and compelling Muslim voices that don’t often enough make it into these bigger conversations, during elections or otherwise.”
