Our Campaign Against Takfir

Thank you everyone for your donations for MPV’s 15th birthday! Because of you and your continued support over the years, we are officially the oldest progressive Muslim organization in the United States. Over the years we have redefined what it means to be an American Muslim, both culturally and ethically, through our public education and advocacy efforts and our partnerships with progressive scholars and religious leaders.

It has been very hard work to get here. The fact that we’re still standing is a testament to our solid foundation and unshakeable conviction. Looking out at the landscape, we see pushback from conservative and extremist Muslims digging their heels on progress, particularly on women’s reproductive rights and LGBTQI+ rights. We also see both conservative Muslim mosques and conservative Evangelicals institutions solidifying their relationships on, of course, women’s reproductive rights and LGBTQI+ rights. On YouTube, they openly label us as “not real Muslims”, and with that label we venture into dangerous territory - the labeling of being an apostate and blasphemer. It is these labels that are at the heart of the stabbing of Salman Rushdie and the violent threats to any religious person who thinks freely and expresses their thoughts independently.

Which is why on September 14, we are hosting a forum “Addressing Apostasy and Blasphemy Laws in Muslim Societies”, which will cover Muslim societies from the West to Malaysia. At our forum, which will take place on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, we will go through the theological and historical background of apostasy and blasphemy, including the lack of support for these practices in Islamic jurisprudence. And for the first time, I will share my personal experience with these accusations in a case study format, which will include what to do when being attacked and how to fight back through social media, the United Nations, diplomatic channels, and interfaith collaborations.

The event is open to the public, both in person and virtually for those not in the Washington DC area. We invite you to RSVP here!

I hope you will join me in person to share a light breakfast and stimulating conversation together but if not, we'd love to have you join us virtually!

Onward and upward…

Ani Zonneveld

Founder, President

P.S. If you didn't have the chance to donate during our birthday celebration but you would still like to make a donation, you can do so here.