| About the American Islamic Congress
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The American Islamic Congress (AIC) is a
civil rights organization promoting
tolerance and the exchange of
ideas among Muslims and between other
peoples.
Mission:
AIC is a non-religious
civic initiative challenging increasingly negative perceptions
of Muslims by advocating responsible leadership and ‘two-way’
interfaith understanding. As Muslim-Americans, thriving amidst
America's open multicultural society and civil liberties, we
promote these same values for the global Muslim community. We
are not afraid to advocate unequivocally for women's equality,
free expression, and nonviolence - making no apologies for
terrorism, which primarily claims Muslim lives. See our Statement
of Principles.
 Founded after September
11:
Our organization grew out of the ashes
of September 11. In late 2001, a diverse group of young Muslim
Americans incorprated AIC as a 501(c)(3) non-profit and
non-partisan organization. We opened an office in New Haven,
Connecticut, and began publishing editorials, speaking to
interfaith audiences, and reaching out to public
officials.
In our first year, we produced several
handbooks to help the public - both Muslim and non-Muslim -
navigate the post-9/11 climate in America. These include Responding
to Hate Speech: A Citizen's Guide; A
New Guide for Muslim Interfaith Dialogue; and a Teachers
Guide on Islam and September 11.
Today AIC operates offices in Washington,
Boston, Cairo, and Basra. Our leaders have published
editorials in top newspapers; testified to Congress; provided
sensitivity training to law enforcement and members of the
armed forces; run workshops on nonviolent reform for young
Middle Eastern activists; and spoken at dozens of universities
and civic institutions. For specifics details, see our Milestones.
 Award-Winning Work:
AIC has
received Dialogue on Diversity’s Liberty Award, the
National Liberty Museum’s Interfaith Bridging Award,
and the Los Angeles County Commendation. Our staffers have
also been recognized with awards, including an “Ambassador of
Peace” commendation from the Inter-religious International
Peace Council, as well as a certificate from the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission. Our campaigns have received
grants from foundations across the spectrum, including the
United States Institute of Peace, Working Assets, the Cato
Institute, and the Bradley Foundation.
Leaders Taking
Action:
AIC employs over 10 full-time staffers -
all in their 20s and 30s - in the US and the Middle East.
"Passionate about moderation," our
young leaders represent a new emerging generation willing
to promote a cutting-edge agenda despite personal risk.
As a non-religious
initiative, AIC is open to people of all faiths, promoting
diversity within our own organization. Our supporters, staff,
and board
of directors unite diverse religious, academic, political,
and humanitarian leaders, including non-Muslims. Over 10,000
supporters - from extremely diverse backgrounds - have
participated in our campaigns. |