[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]With national origins in more than 77 countries, the U.S. Muslim population is the most diverse religious community in America. This diversity can present challenges to unity, but also opportunities. But opportunities do not happen automatically. We must do the work required to follow our Islamic tradition of learning and mutual understanding.
At USCMO, we believe that building an inclusive community that celebrates diversity requires that we engage in a journey to continuously better understand each other. This understanding includes our different cultures as well as the challenges we face in society.
And with such a diverse community, U.S. Muslims face a host of complex challenges. African-Americans face bias and the effects of ongoing systemic racism that has negatively affected their livelihoods, opportunities, and growth. Arab-Americans have faced negative stereotypes that have led to unwarranted suspicions and even unjust prosecutions. Many Muslim women face routine insults due to social bias against their religious head-covering. Asian-Americans have recently experienced pandemic-inspired hate. Latino, African-immigrant, and other minority communities face similar bias-related struggles.
Allah (swt) said:
O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.
— Quran 49:13
To this end, USMCO developed the Muslim American Equity Initiative program to recognize Muslim community centers that engage in activities that promote diversity and inclusion with neighboring congregations as well as within their own congregations.
The Muslim American Equity Initiative
At USCMO, we developed a four-pronged, progressive program to award community centers for their diversity and inclusion efforts. These four segments, which also account for each level in the program, are:
- Bronze Seal of Equity (Awareness & Education)
- Silver Seal of Equity (Policy & Management)
- Gold Seal of Equity (Inclusive Environment)
- Platinum Seal of Equity (Diversity Engagement)
Each community center must demonstrate completion of requirements in each level to be awarded that level’s seal and must maintain each level’s requirements to progress to the next level.
Prerequisites
To qualify for participation in this program, participants must:
- Be a nonprofit organization
- Be registered with the Internal Revenue Service under 501(c)3
- Be a Muslim community center, such as an Islamic center, mosque or cultural center
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