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Check out our work in legislative updates, events, trainings, progress in legislative advocacy and more.
Jan 2021 Feb 2021 March 2021 April 2021 May 2021 June 2021 July 2021 August 2021 September 2021 October 2021 November 2021 December 2021 Salaam, and welcome to our End of Year newsletter!
Here's what we were up to this year: 2020 Year in Review Highlights Thanks to your amazing support, Poligon has accomplished many of our goals this year. Here were some of our top achievements from 2020:
But there's still so much more that needs to be done. Help us continue these efforts by making a Zakat-eligible and tax-deductible donation TODAY! Can you donate $20, $50, or $100 today to help to ensure every American Muslim voice is heard in Congress in 2021? In The News Here are the top highlights of our In the News from this year Poligon President, Wardah Khalid, was interviewed by Al Jazeera Stream on the third anniversary of the discriminatory Muslim travel ban and her hope for its repeal as Congress moves forward with the NO BAN Act. Watch the full interview here. (Wardah begins speaking at 7:13)Poligon's Legislative Fellow, Zayn Hasan, and nine other advocacy groups, including Daily Kos, delivered more than 150,000 signatures to Rep. Judy Chu, calling for the House to pass the NO BAN Act. Read the full article here. Poligon's president, Wardah Khalid, was featured on a podcast hosted by Cafe Tanweer, on the topic of the role that American Muslims have in the government, politics, and civic engagement. Listen to the podcast episode here: https://bit.ly/3gEeZeV Advocacy on the Hill Here are the top highlights of our advocacy on the Hill from this year In February, Poligon visited Capitol Hill with other advocates to meet with Members of the House who had not signed on to support the NO BAN Act, which would repeal the Muslim Ban. At the height of the pandemic, Poligon launched a COVID-19 Policy Update Center to help our community members and allies view information and actions they could take to understand and help shape policy on the pandemic. Poligon joined several other national Muslim civic engagement organizations to create Muslim Civic Engagement toolkits, intended to educate community members and faith leaders on the importance of civic engagement in Islam and to facilitate political participation. Click here to view the toolkits The House Judiciary Committee voted to advance the NO BAN Act. Poligon was proud to attend with other advocates to show support for this important legislation. Events Here are the top highlights of our events from this year Poligon Education Fund’s First Hill Halal Happy Hour In January, Poligon hosted our very first Hill Happy Hour in DC! We had a great time meeting and mingling with Muslims working on and off the Hill. Although COVID-19 has made it difficult to socialize, we hope to host more events once it is safe to do so! Poligon's Virtual Iftar In May, Poligon hosted a virtual iftar! We were joined by special guests, Representatives Judy Chu and André Carson, who discussed the important work they are doing to protect vulnerable communities during this pandemic. We also received a special message from Rep. Rashida Tlaib on the importance of engaging with Congress and to be a good neighbor during these trying times. CAIR Webinar on Census In August, Poligon's Media Director, Aksa Asgher, joined CAIR-California and MPower Change for a webinar on the importance of the Census and building Muslim political power in America. Check out the webinar here! Coffee and Conversations with Muppies DC Poligon participated in a Coffee and Conversations event hosted by Muppies DC in September. Poligon's Media Director, Aksa Asgher, and the Executive Director of the Georgia Muslim Voter Project, Umer Rupani, discussed the importance of political advocacy and ways for Muslims to engage with the government. Thank you for your support over the past year. Donate today to help us continue to amplify the American Muslim voices in Congress in 2021. Stay active and Happy New Years, The Poligon Team Salaam, and welcome to our November 2020 newsletter! Here's what we were up to this month:
#GivingTuesday Tomorrow is GivingTuesday, a great opportunity to support nonprofits across the country. With your support, we can progress our mission to amplify American Muslim voices in Congress in 2021 through new initiatives, training our communities on how to advocate for issues that matter to them, and continuing to educate them through informative policy resources. To continue these efforts, we need your help! Can you donate $20, $50, or $100 today to help to ensure every American Muslim voice is heard in Congress in 2021? In The News Poligon's Policy and Advocacy Manager, Johanna Mustafa, was featured in an American Muslim Today article. She discussed the next steps organizations must take after this historic election to empower Muslim Americans. Check out the piece here! Poligon Is Hiring! - DEADLINE: December 1stPoligon is hiring! We are looking for talented individuals interested in congressional advocacy and issues facing the Muslim American community. Click here for more information on the positions and how to apply! Action Alert Recent news reports revealed that the Muslim Pro App had compromised the data of over 98 million users. While consumer-facing platforms are often legally restricted from sharing such information, certain legal loopholes allow for data brokers and third-party firms without a direct relationship to consumers to share private data with government institutions. Poligon Education Fund is calling on our Representatives in Congress to investigate such loopholes and protect the Fourth Amendment right of the people to be “secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” Please help us protect the American Muslim community: Send a letter to your Representative to investigate personal data privacy concerns and uphold our Fourth Amendment rights. Hill Happenings We've been keeping you up-to-date on the latest from Capitol Hill, with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday.
Join Our Board of Directors Poligon is seeking passionate individuals to join our Board of Directors! If you are interested in helping educate American Muslims on engaging with Congress and being politically active, this is the position for you! Please send a resume and short statement of interest to info@poligonnational.org. Thank you for your support as we continue to help amplify the American Muslim voices in Congress. Stay active, Aksa, and The Poligon Team Salaam, and welcome to our October 2020 newsletter! Here's what we were up to this month:
Are You Ready To Vote? With November 3rd fast approaching, do you have all the information you need to cast your ballot? Poligon has put together resources to help you find out your registration status, ballot drop off locations, and in-person polling locations. We even have a faith-based civic engagement guide for faith leaders and community members. Check them out here! To continue these efforts, we need your help! Can you donate $20, $50, or $100 today to help Poligon turn out more Muslim voters before November? Welcoming Our New Policy & Advocacy Manager! A huge welcome to Johanna Mustafa, our new Policy and Advocacy Manager! Johanna brings years of experience in national and grassroots advocacy and organizing work with the American Muslim community. Before joining the Poligon team, Johanna served as an Advocacy Specialist for the National Network of Arab American Communities. We are excited to have Johanna join us in our efforts to amplify the voices of Muslim Americans in Congress! SCOTUS Nomination Facebook Live UpdatePoligon’s Legislative Fellow, Zayn Hasan, went on Facebook Live on Wednesday, October 21st, to discuss various hill updates, Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court Nomination process, October Congressional recess, and voting resources! Click here to watch. Poligon Applauds Muslim Civic Engagement Progress Highlighted in ISPU 2020 Muslim Poll The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) released it's fifth annual American Muslim Poll 2020: Amid Pandemic and Protest. The survey found that compared to members of other faith groups, Muslim political activity exceeds the general public, Muslim voter registration has increased, and nearly one-quarter of Muslims have attended a town hall meeting, which is much higher than other faith groups. Click here to read our full statement. In The News On October 30th, Poligon's President, Wardah Khalid, participated in a live Q & A hosted by Vantage Points. The livestream discussed how Poligon's work is critical in helping the Muslim community engage with Congress. Check out the interview here. Action Alerts
Hill Happenings We've been keeping you up-to-date on the latest from Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday.
Join Our Board of Directors Poligon is seeking passionate individuals to join our Board of Directors! If you are interested in helping educate American Muslims on engaging with Congress and being politically active, this is the position for you! Please send a resume and short statement of interest to info@poligonnational.org. Poligon Is Hiring! Poligon is hiring! We are looking for talented individuals interested in congressional advocacy and issues facing the Muslim American community. Click here for more information on the positions and how to apply! Salaam, and welcome to our September 2020 newsletter! Here's what we were up to this month:
Poligon's New COVID-19 Video As the COVID-19 pandemic sheds light on our broken system, our community must have a voice in all levels of government to protect our rights and advocate for policy changes on issues that impact us, including healthcare. With American Muslims being the least likely faith group to engage with their elected officials, it's time we act NOW. Watch our latest video on the Coronavirus pandemic and why American Muslims must engage in the policymaking process. Coffee and Conversations with Muppies DC Poligon participated in a Coffee and Conversations event hosted by Muppies DC on September 27. Poligon's Media Director, Aksa Asgher, and the Executive Director of the Georgia Muslim Voter Project, Umer Rupani, discussed the importance of political advocacy and ways for Muslims to engage with the government. Supreme Court Nomination Process Resource The Senate will begin Supreme Court confirmation hearings on October 12. Poligon released a guide on the Process of Nomination to the Supreme Court, so you can follow along as the Senate begins deliberations. Check out last week's Facebook Live with our Legislative Fellow Zayn Hasan, to hear about the process in more depth. October Recess Action Alert The House of Representatives adjourns October 5 for their recess until November 13, and the Senate from October 12 until November 6. Congressional recess is when your members of Congress will be back in your home state. Check out our Action Alert to learn about how you can contact your representatives. Movement Voter Fund Grant Poligon is excited to accept a grant provided by Movement Voter Fund, a fund of Tides Foundation. Movement Voter Fund works to strengthen progressive power at all levels of government. This grant will help Poligon continue to work to empower the American Muslim community. In The News Poligon's President, Wardah Khalid, was featured in Courier News this month in a story on moving forward after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As an icon in the movement for women's rights, RBG left a giant legacy. In the article, Wardah discusses her thoughts on how women can follow in her footsteps to continue the work she started. Hill Happenings We've been keeping you up-to-date on the latest from Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday.
Voting and Election Justice Resources There are less than 40 days until the election on November 3. Are you registered to vote? Ensure you have a voting plan by figuring out your registration status, your ballot drop-off location, and where you can vote in person if necessary. Check out our Voting and Elections Resources to learn more! Join Our Board of Directors Poligon is seeking passionate individuals to join our Board of Directors! If you are interested in helping educate American Muslims on how to engage with Congress and be politically active, this is the position for you! Please send a resume and short statement of interest to info@poligonnational.org. Poligon Is Hiring! Poligon is looking for a Policy and Advocacy Manager based in the DC area (but starting remote during COVID-19). This position is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about civic engagement, and getting Muslims and allies plugged into the policymaking process. Visit our website for the full job posting! Salaam, and welcome to our August 2020 newsletter! Here's what we were up to this month:
CAIR Webinar on Census Poligon's Media Director, Aksa Asgher, joined CAIR-California and MPower Change for a webinar on the importance of the Census and building Muslim political power in America. Check out the webinar here! Netroots Nation Conference On August 15th, Poligon's president Wardah Khalid participated in a panel at the Netroots Nation Conference, on "How Muslims Are Organizing in 2020," along with other Muslim political experts. If you missed the panel, you can watch it here! Muslim Civic Engagement Toolkit Poligon has joined several other national Muslim civic engagement organizations to create Muslim Civic Engagement toolkits. These are intended to educate community members and faith leaders on the importance of civic engagement in Islam and to facilitate political participation. Click here to view the toolkits' information on how you can be more civically engaged and participate in upcoming elections throughout the year. Million Muslims Vote Poligon has partnered with Emgage to help mobilize the largest Muslim American voter turnout in history, in a campaign called Million Muslims Vote. Our goal is to turnout as many Muslim voters as possible this November. To join the campaign or learn more, click here! Congressional Advocacy 101 Training On August 25th, Poligon offered a congressional advocacy training, led by our legislative fellow Zayn Hasan. Topics covered include a general overview of Congress, the advocacy process, and how to participate in office visits, town hall meetings, and phone calls with Members and/or their staff. If you are interested in having Poligon conduct a training in your community, email us at info@poligonnational.org. Congressional Advocacy Training 2.0: Taking Healthcare To the Next Level Poligon partnered with American Muslim Health Professionals for a webinar that focused on the nuts and bolts of tracking legislation and Congressional votes. If you missed the webinar, you can view it here! Muslims in America COVID-19 Poll Poligon has partnered with The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), along with other Muslim organizations, to investigate how COVID-19 has been affecting the mental health, faith, and service work of Muslims in America. We are documenting how the pandemic has impacted American Muslims specifically, and are seeking individuals to take this survey to help us! August Recess Advocacy Toolkit Members of the House of Representatives are back in their home districts until September 7th. Senators are in their home states from August 8th-September 7th. Poligon has created a toolkit that includes guidance on how you can speak with your Member of Congress about repealing the Muslim ban, police reform, COVID-19 Relief, and protecting protesters. Want to talk to them about something else? Our town hall and office visit guide has you covered. Your member of Congress represents YOU, so schedule a meeting as early in advance as possible! Click the link below to view or download the toolkit: Poligon's 2020 August Recess Advocacy Toolkit Faithful Elections In COVID Toolkit Poligon worked with members of the #FaithfulDemocracy coalition on a new report on voting during the COVID-19 pandemic. This resource is meant to help voters: 1) Navigate the system, understanding what options are available for their circumstances; 2) Find points of engagement to contribute to a successful election and influence decision-makers. Click here to learn more. Join Our Board of Directors Poligon is seeking passionate individuals to join our Board of Directors! If you are interested in helping educate American Muslims on how to engage with Congress and be politically active, this is the position for you! Please send a resume and short statement of interest to info@poligonnational.org. Poligon Is Hiring! Poligon is looking for a Policy and Advocacy Manager based in the DC area (but starting remote during COVID-19). This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about civic engagement and getting Muslims and allies plugged into the policymaking process. Visit our website for the full job posting! Hill Happenings We've been keeping you up-to-date on the latest from Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday.
Action Alerts August 11, 2020: The Senate must immediately pass the COVID-19 relief package and ensure families are protected amidst this pandemic. We need your voice: tell the Senate to provide relief to families impacted by COVID-19. Click here to send your Senator a letter. August 18, 2020: The House returned from recess to pass the Delivering for America Act. Poligon urged constituents to send Representatives a letter urging them to pass the Delivering for America Act and protect the Postal Service. Salaam, and welcome to our July 2020 newsletter!
Here's what we were up to this month: Poligon Celebrated the House Passing the NO BAN Act On July 22nd the House of Representatives voted to pass the NO BAN Act, which would repeal the Muslim Ban and allow families to be reunited after 3 and a half years of separation. Poligon worked tirelessly with other organizations to advocate, collect signatures, and help draft the language of the bill, and we commend the House for passing this much-needed legislation. Read our official statement here: https://www.poligonnational.org/press-releases. Islamic Relief USA Capitol Careers Webinar On July 16th, Islamic Relief USA hosted an informational webinar featuring current Hill staffers, including Poligon's president Wardah Khalid. Topics discussed in the webinar included the day to day life of a Hill staffer, navigating job searching, and skills needed to work on the Hill. August Recess Advocacy Toolkit The House of Representatives will be going back to their home districts from August 1st-September 7th. Senators will be in their home states from August 8th-September 7th. Poligon has created a toolkit that includes guidance on how you can speak with your Member of Congress about repealing the Muslim ban, police reform, COVID-19 Relief, and protecting protesters. Want to talk to them about something else? Our town hall and office visit guide has you covered. Your member of Congress represents YOU, so schedule a meeting as early in advance as possible! Click the link below to view or download the toolkit: Poligon's 2020 August Recess Advocacy Toolkit In The News Cafe Tanweer Podcast Episode Featuring Wardah Khalid Poligon's president, Wardah Khalid, was featured on a podcast hosted by Cafe Tanweer, on the topic of the role that American Muslims have in the government, politics, and civic engagement. Listen to the podcast episode here: https://bit.ly/3gEeZeV Action Alerts July 15, 2020: During the days leading up to the highly anticipated House vote on the NO BAN Act, Poligon sent out action alerts to gather support and encourage individuals to call their Representatives to urge them to vote yes on the bill. The bill passed and we will continue to push the Senate to pass it as well. Poligon Is Hiring! Poligon is looking for a Policy and Advocacy Manager based in the DC area (but starting remote during COVID-19). This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about civic engagement and getting Muslims and allies plugged into the policymaking process. Visit our website for the full job posting! Hill Happenings We've been keeping you up-to-date on the latest from Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday. Salaam, and welcome to our June 2020 newsletter! Here's what we were up to this month:
Congressional Advocacy 101 Training: A Critical Need For Healthcare On June 3rd we held a Congressional Advocacy Training in partnership with American Muslim Health Professionals and Emgage Action. The training covered the basic functions of Congress and how to use advocacy to enact change in healthcare and policy issues that matter to our community. Poligon and ISF Webinar: Working on the Hill On June 11th we conducted a "Working on The Hill" webinar in partnership with the Islamic Scholarship Fund. Poligon President Wardah Khalid discussed networking, resume building, and the ins-and-outs of working on the Hill. If you missed the live webinar, you can watch the recording here: https://bit.ly/2NybA4v American Pakistan Foundation Grant Poligon is proud to announce that we were selected as a grant recipient for the American Pakistan Foundation Pandemic Relief Fund! The Fund supports non-profits that are working to serve U.S. based communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Check out the APF Mid-Year Update which mentions Poligon and the grant. We are humbled to be chosen for this grant, and we will continue to work hard to amplify voices of American Muslims! Poligon Is Hiring! Poligon is looking for a Policy and Advocacy Manager based in the DC area (but starting remote during COVID-19). This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about civic engagement and getting Muslims and allies plugged into the policy making process. Visit our website for the full job posting! Action Alerts
Hill Happenings We've been keeping you up-to-date on the latest from Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday.
Thank you for your support as we continue to help amplify the American Muslim voices in Congress. Stay active, Aksa, and The Poligon Team Salaam, and welcome to our May 2020 newsletter! Here's what we were up to this month:
Thank You for Your Support this Ramadan! On behalf of the Poligon team, we want to thank everyone who supported Poligon during this Ramadan! We are deeply grateful, whether you donated online or helped spread the word. Thanks to your support, we raised $40,000! With your generous donations, we are able to continue amplifying American Muslim voices on Capitol Hill. Looking to give year round? Sign up to be a monthly donor. Poligon’s Virtual Iftar Thank you to everyone who joined Poligon’s virtual iftar. It was great to celebrate the holy month with all of you! We were joined by Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA-27) and André Carson (D-IN-7), who discussed the important work they are doing to protect vulnerable communities during this pandemic. We also received a special message from Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13) on the importance of engaging with Congress and to be a good neighbor during these trying times. Finally, congrats to the winner of our quiz, Zaheer, who will be receiving a gift card as his prize! New Video: What Poligon is Doing to Fix the System! Muslims are currently the least politically engaged faith group in the country.As our broken systems collapse under the pressure of Coronavirus, our community must have a voice in Congress to protect our rights and create positive policy change on issues that matter to us. Check out our new video to see what Poligon is doing to get Muslims and allies engaged in solving the problem. Virtual Congressional Advocacy 101 Training Thank you to those who joined us for our virtual Congressional Advocacy 101 Training. The webinar discussed how to engage with your representatives and amplify your voice in the policymaking process from the comfort of your own home. If you missed our conversation, please fill out this form to receive the recording of the event. #VoteSafe: Digital Lobby Day Poligon joined the National Council of Jewish Women, Alpha Epsilon Phi, and other advocates for a digital lobby day to #ProtectTheVote. Speakers discussed the importance of vote by mail to ensure the safety of everyone during the COVID-19 pandemic. The digital lobby day included speaker Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), NCJW staff, and more. Upcoming Events Congressional Advocacy 101 Training: A Critical Need For Healthcare The National Muslim Task Force Policy Committee partners: Poligon, American Muslim Health Professionals, and Emgage are offering a free virtual training on Wednesday, June 3rd at 4 PM (EST) on how how you can use advocacy to enact change in healthcare and policy issues that matter to you. Click here to register. Poligon and ISF Webinar: Working on the Hill Tune in on June 4th to join Poligon President Wardah Khalid and Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) on “Working on the Hill: Entering The Field of Public Policy” Webinar. Wardah will discuss networking, resume building, and the ins-and-outs of working on the Hill. Click here to register! Hill Happenings In The News Poligon President, Wardah Khalid interview with InnovatorsBox, where she discusses her experiences as an Asian American and what it means for her to be an innovator on May 13, 2020. Click here to watch here (Wardah begins speaking @18:30). Poligon President, Wardah Khalid, was featured on Instag.Ramadan Instagram stories during Ramadan on May 14, 2020. Check out their Instagram highlights called “Wardah Khalid”. Poligon was featured on MPower Change’s community blog, and hosted an Instagram take over for their #DigitalRamadan campaign on May 16, 2020. Check it out on their Instagram highlights called “PoligonTakeOver. Poligon President, Wardah Khalid, interview with the South Asian Story Podcast about growing up in Texas as the daughter of South Asian immigrants, starting Poligon, and changing careers from CPA to policy analyst and activist on May 23, 2020. Poligon President, Wardah Khalid interview with Muslim magazine on how Islam ties into our work to push for civic engagement and social justice on May 23, 2020. Salaam, and welcome to our April 2020 newsletter! Here's what we were up to this month:
Support Poligon this Ramadan! Since our launch in 2017, Poligon has worked tirelessly to improve our nation’s housing, healthcare, and nutrition policies. We are blessed to do this work because of the generous support of people like you. This Ramadan, please include Poligon in your charitable giving this month and note that all donations are zakat eligible and tax deductible. You can easily donate to our LaunchGood! And as an added bonus, Poligon gets $50 for every person that signs up for the Ramadan Challenge using this link! CAIR Webinar Poligon President, Wardah Khalid, joined the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for a Facebook live discussion on the COVID-19 relief packages and how they affect individuals. Click here to view the full webinar. Faithful Democracy Webinar Poligon partnered with it’s members of Faithful Democracy to host a webinar on how the faith community is mobilizing to ensure that the 2020 primary and general elections are safe and fair in the context of COVID-19. Faithful Democracy is a multi-faith coalition of faith-based organizations and congregations working together for a just democracy. Click here to watch the webinar. Save the Date: Poligon’s Virtual Iftar This Ramadan, let’s come together to celebrate Poligon’s Annual Iftar virtually on Monday, May 11th at 7 PM (EST). We'll share updates on our mission to amplify Muslim and ally voices in Congress and how you can get engaged amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll have dynamic speakers, like invited guest Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and play fun virtual games, so stay tuned for updates! Click here to register. Free Advocacy Training Tomorrow! Want to stay politically active during COVID-19? Join us on Sunday, May 3rd at 3 PM (EST) for a FREE Congressional Advocacy 101 virtual training! Learn how you can stay engaged with Congress from the comfort of your own home. Click here to register! Presidential Platform Survey Ends Soon 2020 is a significant year for our diverse Muslim American communities to form a cohesive platform that will inform presidential and congressional candidates on policies that are important to our community. Just take one minute to fill out this survey by May 10th. Don't miss your chance to make a difference and let us know what issues matter to you! Action Alerts Poligon sent out an action alert for the support of H.R.6430, the Suspend School Meal Debt Act. This bill will suspend the collection of all student meal debt during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hill Happenings We've been keeping you up-to-date on the latest from Capitol Hill with our Hill Happenings going straight to your inboxes every Friday. |
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