Salaam, and welcome to our May newsletter! See below for what we were up to this month, as well as our upcoming events:
#MuslimsAgainstHunger Day
Poligon helped coordinate #MuslimsAgainstHunger Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, joined by interfaith coalition partner orgs: Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Bread for the World, MAZON, FCNL, Islamic Relief USA, Network Lobby. A Ramadan of action to protect the SNAP program (previously known as food stamps) from cuts in the Farm Bill. This photo was taken after a productive meeting with Senate Ag Democrats. Watch here as Poligon and Islamic Society of North America talk about why #MuslimsAgainstHunger Day is crucial at this time.
Rooftop Iftar in DC
Poligon hosted our first iftar in Washington DC and it was a huge success. Community members came out to support the work we've been doing at Poligon and hear how they can get involved with our upcoming plans for the year. You can watch the live video of the event here.
Houston Iftar
Poligon President Wardah Khalid traveled to Houston and met with community members for iftar to discuss the incredible progress Poligon has made over the last year.
Emgage Action Hill Day Training
Poligon's Wardah Khalid and Afif Rahman put on a training for Emgage Action for their Hill Day on May 7th. This training focused on how to execute an office visit when meeting with representatives in Congress.
Poligon Speaks at #HandsOffSNAP Rally
Poligon's Afif Rahman spoke in front of Capitol Hill alongside various faith leaders to tell Congress that SNAP works and restricting access for families to have food goes against our values.
Interfaith Vigil to Oppose HR2 and Protect SNAP
Poligon acting Executive Director, Afif Rahman, with Representative James E. Clyburn (SC-06), who organized the interfaith vigil on Capitol Hill where members of Congress and various faith leaders spoke out to protect SNAP and say NO to HR2.
Poligon Visits with Students from Al Hamra Academy
Poligon's Afif Rahman spoke with the awesome 8th graders at Al Hamra Academy in Massachusetts about Poligon's work and the importance of Muslim Americans in politics and advocacy. We're guessing some of these kids might become members of Congress some day!
Moms Summit
Poligon attended a Moms Summit hosted by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Representative Robin Kelly, and Representative Pramila Jayapal addressing the needs and struggles of moms and families. The summit mainly focused on health of working families, especially in today's economy with tax cuts and gun violence.
Meet Our New Legislative Fellow
Welcome Poligon's new Legislative Fellow, Niha Razi! Niha previously interned at the American Civil Liberties Union, focusing on international and domestic policies concerning economic justice, education, housing, voting rights, and environmental justice. She also worked as project lead at the International Human Rights Clinic at her law school and predominantly addressed immigration reforms and drafting amicus curiae briefs.
Upcoming Events:
Poligon will be attending these upcoming events-
55th Annual ISNA Convention - http://www.isna.net/convention/
Netroots Nation Conference - https://www.netrootsnation.org/
In The News:
Press Releaser: Poligon Celebrates Defeat of the House Farm Bill!
"SNAP is a tremendously effective program against hunger and poverty, serving nearly 42 million Americans and lifting up 8 million people out of poverty on an annual basis. In this holy month of Ramadan, we are reminded that the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, 'He who fills his stomach while his neighbor next door goes hungry, is not a believer.'" - Afif Rahman, Poligon Acting Executive Director.
KGET-TV NBC: National Faith Leaders Call On Congress to Reject SNAP Cuts
Press Release: Muslim and Christian Leaders Mark the Start of Ramadan by Denouncing SNAP Cuts
Press Release: Prominent National Clergy Urge Lawmakers to Reject Cuts to SNAP and Prioritize Families
Weekly Hill Happenings:
We've been keeping you up-to-date of the latest on Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday.
May 11, 2018: Poligon Joins Faith Leaders Urging Congress to Protect SNAP, Resolution to Recognize American Muslim History and Contributions Introduced, Gina Haspel, CIA Director Nominee, Testifies before Congress, Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act, Workplace Democracy Act
May 18, 2018: Senate confirms Gina Haspel as the first female CIA director, The US Senate votes to restore the FCC's net-neutrality rules, The Senate rejects "Penny Plan.", House votes to weaken Consumer Protections, Protect and Serve Act of 2018
May 25, 2018: Poligon Leads #MuslimsAgainstHunger Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, House Farm Bill Fails, Rollback of Banking Regulations becomes Law, Senate Passes Bill Making Lawmakers Personally Liable for Sexual Harassment Settlements, FAITH in Congress Act
Support Poligon this Ramadan:
Poligon Education Fund is holding a Ramadan fundraising campaign to raise the funds required to carry out important congressional advocacy 101 trainings during this critical election year for Muslim Americans to be able to amplify their voices in Congress. Make a zakat eligible donation to support our work today!
Click here to visit our Launchgood Fundraising Campaign
Stay active,Wardah, Ayesha, Afif, Nadia, and Farah
#MuslimsAgainstHunger Day
Poligon helped coordinate #MuslimsAgainstHunger Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, joined by interfaith coalition partner orgs: Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Bread for the World, MAZON, FCNL, Islamic Relief USA, Network Lobby. A Ramadan of action to protect the SNAP program (previously known as food stamps) from cuts in the Farm Bill. This photo was taken after a productive meeting with Senate Ag Democrats. Watch here as Poligon and Islamic Society of North America talk about why #MuslimsAgainstHunger Day is crucial at this time.
Rooftop Iftar in DC
Poligon hosted our first iftar in Washington DC and it was a huge success. Community members came out to support the work we've been doing at Poligon and hear how they can get involved with our upcoming plans for the year. You can watch the live video of the event here.
Houston Iftar
Poligon President Wardah Khalid traveled to Houston and met with community members for iftar to discuss the incredible progress Poligon has made over the last year.
Emgage Action Hill Day Training
Poligon's Wardah Khalid and Afif Rahman put on a training for Emgage Action for their Hill Day on May 7th. This training focused on how to execute an office visit when meeting with representatives in Congress.
Poligon Speaks at #HandsOffSNAP Rally
Poligon's Afif Rahman spoke in front of Capitol Hill alongside various faith leaders to tell Congress that SNAP works and restricting access for families to have food goes against our values.
Interfaith Vigil to Oppose HR2 and Protect SNAP
Poligon acting Executive Director, Afif Rahman, with Representative James E. Clyburn (SC-06), who organized the interfaith vigil on Capitol Hill where members of Congress and various faith leaders spoke out to protect SNAP and say NO to HR2.
Poligon Visits with Students from Al Hamra Academy
Poligon's Afif Rahman spoke with the awesome 8th graders at Al Hamra Academy in Massachusetts about Poligon's work and the importance of Muslim Americans in politics and advocacy. We're guessing some of these kids might become members of Congress some day!
Moms Summit
Poligon attended a Moms Summit hosted by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Representative Robin Kelly, and Representative Pramila Jayapal addressing the needs and struggles of moms and families. The summit mainly focused on health of working families, especially in today's economy with tax cuts and gun violence.
Meet Our New Legislative Fellow
Welcome Poligon's new Legislative Fellow, Niha Razi! Niha previously interned at the American Civil Liberties Union, focusing on international and domestic policies concerning economic justice, education, housing, voting rights, and environmental justice. She also worked as project lead at the International Human Rights Clinic at her law school and predominantly addressed immigration reforms and drafting amicus curiae briefs.
Upcoming Events:
Poligon will be attending these upcoming events-
55th Annual ISNA Convention - http://www.isna.net/convention/
Netroots Nation Conference - https://www.netrootsnation.org/
In The News:
Press Releaser: Poligon Celebrates Defeat of the House Farm Bill!
"SNAP is a tremendously effective program against hunger and poverty, serving nearly 42 million Americans and lifting up 8 million people out of poverty on an annual basis. In this holy month of Ramadan, we are reminded that the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, 'He who fills his stomach while his neighbor next door goes hungry, is not a believer.'" - Afif Rahman, Poligon Acting Executive Director.
KGET-TV NBC: National Faith Leaders Call On Congress to Reject SNAP Cuts
Press Release: Muslim and Christian Leaders Mark the Start of Ramadan by Denouncing SNAP Cuts
Press Release: Prominent National Clergy Urge Lawmakers to Reject Cuts to SNAP and Prioritize Families
Weekly Hill Happenings:
We've been keeping you up-to-date of the latest on Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday.
May 11, 2018: Poligon Joins Faith Leaders Urging Congress to Protect SNAP, Resolution to Recognize American Muslim History and Contributions Introduced, Gina Haspel, CIA Director Nominee, Testifies before Congress, Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act, Workplace Democracy Act
May 18, 2018: Senate confirms Gina Haspel as the first female CIA director, The US Senate votes to restore the FCC's net-neutrality rules, The Senate rejects "Penny Plan.", House votes to weaken Consumer Protections, Protect and Serve Act of 2018
May 25, 2018: Poligon Leads #MuslimsAgainstHunger Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, House Farm Bill Fails, Rollback of Banking Regulations becomes Law, Senate Passes Bill Making Lawmakers Personally Liable for Sexual Harassment Settlements, FAITH in Congress Act
Support Poligon this Ramadan:
Poligon Education Fund is holding a Ramadan fundraising campaign to raise the funds required to carry out important congressional advocacy 101 trainings during this critical election year for Muslim Americans to be able to amplify their voices in Congress. Make a zakat eligible donation to support our work today!
Click here to visit our Launchgood Fundraising Campaign
Stay active,Wardah, Ayesha, Afif, Nadia, and Farah
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