American Muslim Empowerment Network (AMEN)
Afghanistan Crisis
WELCOME SIGNS
Show your support for welcoming our incoming Afghan families by putting up a sign -- at home, in your car, office/business, place of worship, or elsewhere.
NEWSLETTERS
Stay informed of our efforts and learn how you can help in the Newsletters below (click the date to read the respective newsletter)
“Oh you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against
yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor…” (Quran 4:135)
Who We Are
MAPS-AMEN is an outreach and advocacy organization that seeks to fulfill the justice mandate in Islam and empower the community by focusing on education, engagement, encouragement of positive media change, and empowerment. We build bridges of understanding and unity to achieve justice together, envisioning a world free of hate and violence.
Created in December 2016, MAPS-AMEN has established itself as an active and effective frontline grassroots organization for Muslims and other marginalized communities, with impact locally, regionally and even nationally.
250,000+
people that MAPS-AMEN has reached through its work
5,000+
people received training from MAPS-AMEN
500+
events that MAPS-AMEN has organized / participated in
50+
media mentions
Meet The Team
Aneelah Afzali
Executive Director
Aneelah Afzali is Executive Director of MAPS-AMEN. She is also on the Governing Board of the Faith Action Network, Advisory Board of WA For Black Lives, Steering Committee of the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, and part of the National Roundtable on Combating Islamophobia, Shoulder to Shoulder’s Consultative Circle, Everytown for Gun Safety’s Interfaith Advisory Council, and the WA Tech Equity Coalition. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Aneelah left her legal career in 2013 to serve as a community activist and interfaith leader. Since then, she has worked on addressing hate, bigotry, misinformation, and systemic inequities by building bridges of understanding and unity to advocate for justice together.
Read more about Aneelah
Theresa Crecelius
Community Organizer
What We Do
Education
MAPS-AMEN proactively educates the community about Islamophobia, Islam and Muslims, because the majority of our fellow Americans do not personally know a Muslim or much about Islam, and there is an anti-Muslim hate industry promoting misinformation. To date, we have delivered hundreds of presentations on combating Islamophobia, Islam, women’s rights, and more at faith institutions, schools, college campuses, professional associations, non-profit organizations, and other venues.
Encouragement
MAPS-AMEN encourages positive changes in media to counter the double standards that often apply in coverage of Islam and Muslims. Studies demonstrate that most mainstream media representation of Muslims is negative and even defamatory. According to one study, Islam and Muslims are portrayed worse than cancer and cocaine! Through its work, MAPS-AMEN has helped generate positive media coverage of Islam/Muslims, while also training Muslims and allies on speaking to media and effective messaging.
Engagement
MAPS-AMEN engages friends and allies in combating Islamophobia and other forms of hate, bigotry and injustice by building coalitions, providing opportunities for advocacy, and mobilizing faith leaders, community organizers, and elected officials to effective action. We serve on the leadership team of the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN), Faith Action Network, WA For Black Lives, and the National Islamophobia Roundtable, while working with, engaging, and advising several other organizations, alliances, and efforts.
Empowerment
MAPS-AMEN works to inspire and empower the Muslim community, especially women and youth. We provide skills-building workshops (story-telling, media & messaging, public speaking, responding to difficult questions), trainings, and opportunities to speak publicly. We are currently working on launching a program to build ambassadors with powerful voices to become rising stars and future changemakers. We also hold voter registrations and GOTV, candidate forums, and more to politically empower the Muslim community.
Current Initiatives
In addition to our ongoing education, engagement, empowerment and media work, some of our current initiatives are highlighted below.
JUSTICE FOR PALESTINE
READ
Read the full-page Seattle Times statement by 75+ Washington state organizations calling for Members of Congress to support H.R. 2590 here.
WATCH
ACT
3. Include this link in your message to your representative.
5. Endorse the statement by adding your name individually or organizationally here.
“Facts Over Fear” National Video Campaign
In partnership with Neighbors in Faith (NIF), MAPS-AMEN created five animated videos to counter anti-Muslim hate. These videos are part of a “Facts Over Fear” national campaign that MAPS-AMEN and NIF have launched. The first video exposes the Islamophobia Industry, while the others address common misconceptions: Islam and Peace, Islam and Women’s Rights, Islam and Other Religions, and What is Shariah? You can watch all these videos and join the national campaign at our website (www.factsoverfear.org). Please also like/follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This “Facts Over Fear” campaign won the national “End Extreme Hate” contest in 2020!
"Facts Over Fear" National Video Campaign
In partnership with Neighbors in Faith (NIF), MAPS-AMEN created five animated videos to counter anti-Muslim hate. These videos are part of a “Facts Over Fear” national campaign that MAPS-AMEN and NIF have launched. The first video exposes the Islamophobia Industry, while the others address common misconceptions: Islam and Peace, Islam and Women’s Rights, Islam and Other Religions, and What is Shariah? You can watch all these videos and join the national campaign at our website (www.factsoverfear.org). Please also like/follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This “Facts Over Fear” campaign won the national “End Extreme Hate” contest in 2020!
“Faith Over Fear” Roadshow and Trainings
“Faith Over Fear” Roadshow and Trainings
“Sharing Our Stories” Campaign
"Sharing Our Stories" Campaign
Recognition and Awards
Even in its short existence and with minimal resources, MAPS-AMEN has made big waves and received recognition for its frontline advocacy work and leadership. These include:
MAPS-AMEN won the “End Extreme Hate” $5,000 contest by America Indivisible, ISPU, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Western States Center for its “Facts Over Fear” campaign.
2019 & 2020 Women Ikon Award
Aneelah Afzali was chosen for a “Women Ikon” Award in 2019 and 2020 for leadership and contributions to the community.
Seattle Foundation selected MAPS-AMEN as a Resilience Fund grantee in 2019 again, to support our work combating anti-Muslim hate and bigotry this critical election year.
2019 Faith Over Fear Grant
Islamic Relief USA awarded MAPS-AMEN a $15,000 grant toward its “Faith Over Fear” work with Neighbors in Faith, and $20,000 toward the Coordinated Community Response to Islamophobia.
The Seattle Japanese-American Citizens League (JACL) presented Aneelah Afzali with its Aki Kurose Education Award in May 2019.
The global communications firm Weber Shandwick selected MAPS-AMEN and CAIR-WA for its 2018 Impact Project, which included $100,000 worth of service hours put toward the “Sharing Our Stories” campaign.
International Rescue Committee Seattle honored Aneelah with its prestigious Humanitarian Leadership Award in October 2018.
The National Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) chose Aneelah as the 2018 “American Muslim of the Year” after a national vote.
Adweek identified MAPS-AMEN as a “Rising Brand Star” in 2018, alongside brand giants like Amazon, Alaska Airlines, Microsoft, Starbucks, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among others.
Seattle Foundation selected MAPS-AMEN as a Resilience Fund grantee in 2017, to support our Faith Over Fear events combating Islamophobia.
The Faith Action Network granted MAPS the Interfaith Leadership Award in 2017 because of the coalition-building work by MAPS-AMEN.
Seattle Magazine recognized Aneelah as one of its “Most Influential People of the Year” in 2017, alongside other game-changers making Seattle a better place to live.
Request a Speaker
MAPS-AMEN offers engaging workshops and trainings on Combating Islamophobia, Overcoming Bias, Being an Effective Ally, Answering Difficult Questions, Effective Messaging, Islam 101 (or 201), and more. We customize workshops and trainings based on the intended audience. In addition, we speak on women’s rights, racism, immigrant justice, and provide a Muslim voice on other advocacy issues. Our Executive Director has also delivered sermons at churches and spoken during Jewish services. To request a speaker from MAPS-AMEN, please fill out the form here.
MAPS-AMEN Calendar
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Week of Events
Support our work! Funds donated to MAPS-AMEN will go directly to support our outreach and advocacy work, and will not be used for religious programming.
We're Ready, Let's Talk.
Contact Info
VISIT US
17550 NE 67th Ct, Redmond, WA 98052