We are pleased to invite you to attend Muslims for Progressive Values upcoming workshop "Addressing Apostasy and Blasphemy Laws in Muslim Societies Workshop", on September 14, 2022 from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM EST. The event, which will be held in person at Rayburn House Office Building Room 2060 (on the House side), Capitol Hill, is also open to the public via Zoom.

The practice of criminalizing the religious beliefs of others through apostasy and blasphemy legislation violates the fundamental teachings of Islam as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrines the right to freedom of religion, belief, and thought to all individuals. However, eradicating apostasy and blasphemy laws in Muslim societies can never be achieved until we understand the historical, religious, and political context of its origins.

To signify the importance of this context, the first hour of the forum will offer a presentation led by experts on the intersectionality of religion, politics, and human rights.

The second hour is a workshop that will be conducted specifically from the prism of progressive, LGBTQIA+ and feminist Muslims in their work to counter apostasy and blasphemy laws. The workshop will introduce strategies on how to counter social media attack campaigns effectively, how to create an ecosystem conducive to inculcating a culture rooted in human rights in partnership with faith, women and youth leaders, through education and media. The workshop will be led by human rights advocates from Malaysia, Uganda, Pakistan and the U.S. with ample opportunity for active participatory engagement.

Program Outline:

1. Welcome & Introduction

Maliha Khan (MPV, Board of Trustees), Welcome & Housekeeping

Mariah Mercer (Deputy to the Ambassador and Deputy Director at U.S. Department of State), Welcoming Remarks

Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussein, Keynote Speaker (via video message)

Ambassador Tom McDonald (MPV, Board of Trustees), Introduction

Congresswoman Cindy Axne, (IA-03)

2. Session I: Laying the Foundation

In order to counter the prominence of apostasy and blasphemy laws in Muslim societies, it is important to understand the social, historical and religious contexts they are rooted in.

Mike Mohamed Ghouse, Director of the Center for Pluralism

3. Session II: Workshop - Strategies toward Eradicating Apostasy and Blasphemy Laws

Interactive session on strategic and advocacy efforts in countering narratives of Islamic fundamentalism that not only undergird FoRB, women and rights violations against LGBTIQ+ persons, but also provide the discursive basis for radicalism and violent extremism. Panelists will also expound upon strategies for sourcing human rights narratives from within Islam and recommendations.

Workshop Panelists:

• Ms. Ani Zonneveld (USA), Founder and President of Muslims for Progressive Values. - Muslim Minority in the West Perspective

• Mike Mohamed Ghouse, Director of the Center for Pluralism

• Mr. Hisham Muhaimi (Malaysia), Project Officer, Komuniti Muslim Universal - Youth Perspective

• Ms. Ashah Mwanga (Uganda), Executive Director, Alliance of Inclusive Muslims-Africa - Feminist Perspective

• Raza M (Pakistan), Social Activist - LGBTQIA+ perspective

Please RSVP here to receive the link to the event and share questions you would like answered by the workshop speakers and panelists.

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