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.

For a printed version of the sign, please contact amen@mapsredmond.org.


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

Theresa Crecelius is a Community Organizer with MAPS-AMEN.  She was raised in the United Methodist Church before choosing Islam as an adult.  For the last 3 years, Theresa has been active in organizing, advocacy and speaking engagements with MAPS-AMEN, while also serving as a member of the ACLU Burien People Power group, Community Visions Network, and WAISN’s Rapid Response Team.  She holds degrees in Chemistry and Medical Laboratory Science.
Read more about Theresa

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

Learn more by watching the June 4 program at MAPS: Palestine: What’s Happening and Why it Matters

ACT

You can make a difference!  Please take the following action today:
 
1. Find your Congressional Representative here:  
 
2. Send them a message along the following lines:  “Over 75 WA organizations representing a broad and diverse citizen base are asking about your support for H.R. 2590 and the funding we are providing to the State of Israel.  Will you be joining Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal in co-sponsoring H.R. 2590 and ensuring that U.S. tax dollars are not used to kill children or violate international human rights law?”
 

3. Include this link in your message to your representative.

 
4. Send a thank you message to Rep. Jayapal for co-sponsoring H.R. 2590 by contacting her office here or expressing appreciation via social media.  
 

5. Endorse the statement by adding your name individually or organizationally here.

6. Call on the Biden administration to stop the pending $735 million weapons sale to Israel.  Contact info 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 FacebookInstagram, 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 FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.  This “Facts Over Fear” campaign won the national “End Extreme Hate” contest in 2020!

“Faith Over Fear” Roadshow and Trainings

The “Faith Over Fear: Standing With Our Muslim Neighbors” roadshow takes the message of combating Islamophobia to venues across Washington state.  Featuring Aneelah Afzali and Rev. Terry Kyllo, the roadshow has visited over 20 cities – from Vancouver to Mt. Vernon and Bremerton to Spokane – while helping support on-the ground solidarity efforts in those cities. MAPS-AMEN also helped create a national “Faith Over Fear” training in partnership with Shoulder to Shoulder and other organizations, that was first launched at MAPS in January 2018. See video here. Led by Shoulder to Shoulder, the national Faith Over Fear trainings have been to a dozen cities across our country.  More info available here.

“Faith Over Fear” Roadshow and Trainings

The “Faith Over Fear: Standing With Our Muslim Neighbors” roadshow takes the message of combating Islamophobia to venues across Washington state.  Featuring Aneelah Afzali and Rev. Terry Kyllo, the roadshow has visited over 20 cities – from Vancouver to Mt. Vernon and Bremerton to Spokane – while helping support on-the ground solidarity efforts in those cities. MAPS-AMEN also helped create a national “Faith Over Fear” training in partnership with Shoulder to Shoulder and other organizations, that was first launched at MAPS in January 2018. See video here. Led by Shoulder to Shoulder, the national Faith Over Fear trainings have been to a dozen cities across our country.  More info available here.

“Sharing Our Stories” Campaign

Weber Shandwick, a global communications firm, chose MAPS-AMEN along with CAIR-WA for its 2018 Impact Project.  That honor included $100,000 worth of pro bono services, which were used to create three short videos telling the stories of diverse American Muslims.  With those videos, MAPS-AMEN and CAIR-WA launched a campaign to bring Washingtonians together by sharing stories.  The videos are used in an event setting that includes a Q&A session about Muslims/Islam, along with an interactive opportunity for attendees to get to know their neighbors through story-telling.  Watch the #SharingOurStories videos here.

"Sharing Our Stories" Campaign

Weber Shandwick, a global communications firm, chose MAPS-AMEN along with CAIR-WA for its 2018 Impact Project.  That honor included $100,000 worth of pro bono services, which were used to create three short videos telling the stories of diverse American Muslims.  With those videos, MAPS-AMEN and CAIR-WA launched a campaign to bring Washingtonians together by sharing stories.  The videos are used in an event setting that includes a Q&A session about Muslims/Islam, along with an interactive opportunity for attendees to get to know their neighbors through story-telling.  Watch the #SharingOurStories videos here.

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

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.

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    Contact Info

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    17550 NE 67th Ct, Redmond, WA 98052