BMLC Press Release- 24 Ramadan 1445 AH

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

Salima Suswell, Black Muslim Leadership Council Founder & CEO, Attends White House Policy Meeting

Today, I attended a policy meeting with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. I was there as the leader and founder of the Black Muslim Leadership Council and as an advocate for the Black American Muslim community. I was joined by several other prominent members of the Muslim community.

Initially, we were invited by the White House to an Iftar dinner meeting. In mutual agreement, we turned down the invitation, calling instead for this policy meeting, which the White House agreed to.

I attended this meeting to express in the clearest possible terms that Black Muslims and Black people are deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis and tragedy ravaging Gaza, and to call upon the President face-to-face for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. We also called for unfettered access for humanitarian aid convoys, the resumption of UNRWA funding, an end to any Israeli plans to invade Rafah, where 1.5 million Palestinians are sheltering, and Israeli compliance with international humanitarian law.

I also brought to the President’s attention the urgent domestic policy issues that impact Muslims in urban communities, including economic equity, education, mental health and Black maternal health, public safety and gun violence, affordable housing, criminal justice, prison reform, and more.

Black American Muslims are a huge, fast-growing, and powerful part of the population. However, too often, we are kept out of spaces like this. It was critical that our community had a seat at this table so that our voices and needs could be heard.

I did not make this decision lightly. Before deciding to attend, I sought shura (council) from Black Muslim Leadership Council board members, as well as key stakeholders and influential leaders from the national Black Muslim community. This included Black American Muslims: Born and Raised (BAM-BAR), the community of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, and the Al-Ummah national community. The decision is consistent with my enduring position that engagement is deeply important at this time.

I maintain my longstanding commitment to advocating for and uplifting the rights of our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We must use every tool at our disposal to bring this crisis to an end and to ensure justice and equality for our entire community.

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

Kofi Bilal Mahmud Eid AlFitr 1443 A.H.

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