FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2021
Contact: media@poligonnational.org
​Poligon Condemns White Supremacist Attack on the U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. - Poligon Education Fund released the following statement regarding the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol by white supremacist militias in an attempt to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election: 

Poligon Education Fund condemns the violence inflicted by white supremacist militias and supporters of President Trump at the halls of Congress yesterday. A woman was shot and killed, our elected officials and their staff hid in their chambers as they prayed for their lives, and explosives and weapons were found on Capitol grounds. The attack on the Capitol is an attack on our democracy and on the American people. 

The violence we witnessed is an attempt to erase the fact that in the midst of a pandemic, millions of Americans have turned out in record numbers to vote against the last four years of divisive, racist governance. Even when a powerful few have continuously made it difficult for people to exercise their voting rights, marginalized communities spoke truth to power. In the face of intimidation, violence, and loss, voters reaffirmed their rights and echoed their voices in the halls of power. Poligon, alongside coalition partners and allies, has mobilized millions of voters and will not stand down in the face of this insurrection. 

We commend Congress for its steadfastness in completing the vote count and certifying the election results. We demand members of Congress continue to work towards the peaceful transition of the newly elected administration, and ensure an extensive investigation and full accountability of all groups involved in the white supremacist militant attack, including leaders who have repeatedly empowered  this hateful rhetoric. President Trump’s failure to condemn white supremacy and his previous command to “stand back and stand by” did not only fuel an attack on our Capitol, but also paved the way for violence in statehouses all around the nation. 

The striking difference in the law enforcement’s efforts to protect the Capitol against Black Lives Matter defenders in June of 2020 and against white supremacist militias yesterday is a reminder of the deep, systemic violence harming our communities. We honor the victims of white supremacist violence and recognize the militarized, selective, and racist law enforcement practices. When exercising their right to protest, Black Lives Matter activists and indigenous rights defenders were met with police dogs, mace, militarized surveillance, rubber bullets, and water cannons. Not too long ago, black and brown children were tear gassed at peaceful protests. 

Poligon reaffirms its commitment to continue to hold our newly elected Congress and administration to account, to not only tackle the hateful rhetoric that threatens our communities, but also build a nation that keeps its people safe and allows everyone to thrive. This begins with coming together to swear in new leaders elected by the people, for the people.  

###
Poligon Education Fund is a non profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to strengthening Muslim American engagement with Congress through training, education, and advocacy. Learn more at www.poligonnational.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2020
​Contact: media@poligonnational.org

Washington, D.C. - Poligon Education Fund released the following statement on the congressional passage of COVID-19 relief legislation: 

Poligon Education Fund reaffirms its commitment to amplifying the most vulnerable populations and minority groups in the halls of power. After months of tireless advocacy efforts and a long stalemate in Congress, Poligon supports the release of immediate relief, but recognizes the shortcomings of the bipartisan $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill. 

Poligon applauds the following provisions in the package:

• Additional $300 per week through unemployment insurance and a federal unemployment insurance 
• $284 billion in loans for businesses 
• $69 billion in testing and vaccine distribution funds  
• $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools.
• $25 billion in rental assistance and a one-month extension of the eviction moratorium
• $20 billion for hospitals and healthcare providers
• $13 billion in food assistance
  • Increases SNAP benefits by 15% for 6 months
  • Ensures college students have access to SNAP
  • Additional funding for food banks and senior nutrition programs
  • Emergency funds for school and day care feeding programs

We recognize that the current relief package falls far from providing adequate and just recovery to vulnerable communities. Almost a year later, marginalized populations including black, indigeneous, people of color, and immigrant communities who have been systematically struggling prior to the coronavirus pandemic continue to be the most impacted. The relief package also dismisses adult dependents, some of whom suffer from disabilities. It repairs the cruel exclusion of 3.5 million citizens who reside with families of “mixed immigration statuses,” but once again fails to include millions of undocumented individuals in the economic relief, many of whom serve as frontline workers. 

Poligon’s Policy and Advocacy Manager, Johanna Mustafa, issued the following statement: 
“We are a nation of abundance and wealth where struggling families deserve urgent and lasting change. As we move forward with a new Congress in 2021, Poligon will continue to work towards the inclusion of vulnerable communities. While we support the economic relief this package will provide, we recognize that the American people need more help than this bill provides. Poligon urges Congress to pass another round of direct stimulus checks to help families who have been struggling for months. Our tax dollars must be invested in our communities and center the domestic human needs and rights of our people.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26th, 2020
Contact: info@poligonnational.org

Poligon Education Fund Joins Muslim Coalition to Share Results of ‘Muslims in America Policy Poll’
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday a coalition of national Muslim organizations released the results of their pre-election “Muslims in America Policy Poll” – an online survey of 1,500 Muslims in America that highlights issue and policy priorities of the Muslim community just months before the 2020 General Election. 

READ THE SURVEY: https://www.poligonnational.org/resources.html

WATCH THE LIVESTREAM PRESENTATION: https://www.facebook.com/406859649705218/videos/600924637260465/

Highlights of survey results, announced at a livestream news conference, include:

• In asking what general issues were the most pressing priorities for Muslim Americans, the poll found civil rights (over 80%) was the greatest priority followed by healthcare (over 65%); education; foreign policy; immigration; climate change, energy, and the environment; economy, national security; and other.
• American Muslims have prioritize issue areas similarly to non-Muslim allies such as Civil Rights and Healthcare.
• Over 60% of Muslim respondents would like to see policy changes to the Muslim Ban, which allows vast immigration restrictions for travelers from several Muslim-predominate countries.
• Over 45% of Muslim respondents would like to see policy changes in these four areas: international humanitarian, religious discrimination, Medicare for all, and gun control.
• Among the various age groups examined, most ages agreed they would like to see a policy change to the Muslim Ban. Over 75% of seventy and over age group of Muslim respondents agree that they want to see a policy change with the Muslim Ban.
• In the key battleground states of Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, heading into the election — the issues of Civil Rights, Healthcare, Immigration and Education prove to be the biggest issue area of concern for Muslims.

The report also noted that in a separate voter report published by Emgage, just from Florida, Ohio, Michigan, and Virginia alone Muslim turnout jumped from about 130,000 votes to over 285,000 from 2014 to 2018.
 
Report sponsors plan to use the results of this report to engage candidates, elected officials, to advocate for policy reforms that serve the best interests of the Muslim community in America.

ABOUT THE POLL:
 
The poll’s 1500 respondents reflected a snapshot of the diverse Muslim community— comprising of African American/Black, Arab/Middle Eastern, South Asians and White community members from over 45 states.
 
The poll was conducted online over the course of January 2020-June 2020, just ahead of the November elections. The poll’s responses that survey participants could choose from on “pressing policy issues” and “policy changes” that respondents wanted to see were predetermined and presented without any politicizing context.
 
The highest percentage of participants of the survey were between the ages of 40-54 (21%) and 55-69 (17%). In contrast, the lowest percentage of respondents were under the age of 18. The poll was conducted online over the course of January 2020-June 2020, just ahead of the November elections.

LIVESTREAM: "Muslims in America Policy Poll," What Muslims Want Heading into the 2020 General Election

​Washington, D.C. - Today a coalition of national Muslim organizations will release the results of their pre-election “Muslims in America Policy Poll” - an online survey of 1,500 Muslims in America that highlights issue and policy priorities of the Muslim community just months before the 2020 General Election.
Join national Muslim organizations live today, Tuesday August 25 at 12 p.m. (ET) to learn more about what priority policies American Muslims - especially those in key battleground states - would like to see addressed in the upcoming election.

Watch the Livestream: https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational/live/ 
[NOTE: Please submit your questions to aajeen@cair.com]

Poll results will answer:

• What are the most important issues for Muslims?
• What are the policy changes Muslims would like to see?
• How Muslims views differ by key battleground states (PA, WI, FL, MI)?

The poll was created and distributed through a partnership of Muslim organizations including America Indivisible, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Emgage USA, Jetpac, Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), MPower Change and Poligon Education Fund — consolidating efforts to educate and mobilize a Muslim constituency. 
​
Speakers include: 
Robert S. McCaw, CAIR Director of Government Affairs Department
Ishraq Ali, MPower Change, Organizing Director
Zayn Hasan, Poligon Education Fund, Legislative Fellow
Mohammed Missouri, Jetpac Executive Director
Aysha Ahmed, Deputy Organizing Director, Emgage Action
Lida Azim, Program Director, America Indivisible 
Adam Beddawi, Policy Analyst, Muslim Public Affairs Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14th, 2020
Contact: info@poligonnational.org

​Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives announced Monday that it will be voting on the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act or NO BAN Act, on Wednesday, July 22nd. The vote was delayed from the initial date in March, due to COVID-19. 

Poligon Board President, Wardah Khalid, issued the following statement: 

“Poligon Education Fund is excited to see the NO BAN Act finally being put to a vote in Congress. For over three and a half years, families have been separated due to this cruel and un-American ban. The NO BAN Act repeals those bans and places limitations the President’s authority to restrict immigration, as well as prohibit religious discrimination when issuing visas. The House of Representatives must pass the NO BAN Act next week. This is a chance to prove that America will not stand for racist policies that discriminate against individuals because of their ethnicity or religion.”

Poligon has worked tirelessly to advocate for this legislation since before it was even introduced, working in coalition to draft the bill, meeting with House members to educate and urge them to cosponsor the bill, and working in coalition to collect over 150,000 signatures in support of the NO BAN Act. Monday’s announcement is a win for civil rights and a major step towards ending this unjust travel ban.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2020
Contact: info@poligonnational.org

Poligon Education Fund Condemns Anti-Black Police Brutality and Racism, Urges Congress to Take Action
Washington, D.C. - Poligon Education Fund strongly condemns the recent incidents of police brutality against George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbury. These acts of violence by law enforcement officials are inexcusable as are the discrimination, institutional racism, and abuses of power that have targeted Black people across the nation for far too long. This is highly concerning for our community, as African Americans and Blacks represent 25% of the American Muslim population.

We urge Congress to act now and pass H.R. 4408, the Eric Garner Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act, to prohibit police chokeholds and other harmful tactics that result in asphyxiation. We are also supportive of the House Judiciary Committee's demands that the Department of Justice open an investigation into the deaths of Floyd, Taylor, and Arbury.

In a country that boasts itself as being the land of equality and freedom, it is unacceptable that a police officer meant to protect their community can unlawfully murder a man and not be prosecuted by the law. We stand with our Black brothers and sisters in Minnesota, Kentucky, Georgia, and across the country who are hurting deeply in this moment. To do so is a religious obligation for Muslims, as the Quran clearly states, "Oh you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God." (Quran 4:15).
What is happening in our country right now is nothing less than brutal injustice. Poligon will continue to work with our communities and lawmakers in Congress to oppose and rectify it. 

Source: Who Are American Muslims: ISPU. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.ispu.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Who-Are-American-Muslims.pdf