Global Leaders and Interfaith Advocates Convene in Washington for AMMWEC’s 2026 National Coalition Conference

In a powerful demonstration of interfaith solidarity, the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) hosted its highly anticipated National Coalition Conference on July 13, 2026, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Under the theme “United Against Antisemitism & Hate: Protecting Our Communities,” the summit gathered a prominent roster of federal officials, lawmakers, international delegations, interfaith leaders, and digital influencers to address the rise of global bigotry and foster peace.

The day-long conference served as a collaborative call to action, emphasizing community protection, strategic partnerships, and the preservation of Abrahamic unity in challenging times.

A Call for Peace and Civil Rights

The conference opened with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by Ghazal Mizrahi, a New York-based Iranian-Jewish-American vocal artist known for bridging cultural divides through music. The Abrahamic Prayer for Peace followed, led by a diverse coalition of clergy — Imam Musa Drammeh, Rabbi Alex Harris, and Pastor Leon Benjamin — setting a collaborative tone for the day, capped by an interfaith cake-cutting ceremony.

Keynote speaker Leo Terrell, Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and Chair of the federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, addressed the crowd. Terrell framed the fight against antisemitism as a nonpartisan, fundamental civil rights issue, describing a 15-city national tour aimed at confronting hate crimes at the local level — including harassment near synagogues, elevated security costs for Jewish institutions, and antisemitic rhetoric reaching K-12 classrooms.

Fighting anti-Semitism is not just an American issue. It is a Western civilization issue, fundamental for the right to share and enjoy your religious freedom. Leo Terrell · U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division

Terrell drew a direct line between the Jewish American civil rights legacy and the broader struggle for equality, invoking the historic partnership between Jewish and Black Americans during the 1960s civil rights movement, including the 1964 Mississippi murders of civil rights workers Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner alongside James Chaney. He closed by introducing seven young interns supporting the national tour and thanking AMMWEC founder Anila Ali for her role on the federal committee.

Wajid Ali Syed, CEO of the Abrahamic Publishing and Research Center, presented the newly released book “O’ Jerusalem — The Witness Delegations: Truth, Faith, & Oct 7,” published by the Center to document the experiences of Muslim delegations who visited Israel following the October 7 attacks.

Lawmakers Champion Mutual Protection

Adding to the legislative momentum, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill addressed the assembly alongside U.S. Congressmen Greg Stanton (AZ-04) and Brad Schneider (IL), who spoke on the role of state and federal policy in shielding vulnerable religious institutions from targeted violence.

Congressman Stanton reflected on his time as Mayor of Phoenix, recalling a defining early test of his leadership when armed protesters demonstrated outside the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix. He described his commitment to ensuring worshippers could enter without fear, framing it as the same standard that must be applied whenever any faith community — Jewish, Muslim, or otherwise — faces intimidation.

Selective freedom is not freedom. It’s permission granted by whoever holds power. And that’s not who we are as Americans. Rep. Greg Stanton · Arizona’s 4th Congressional District

Stanton also referenced the 2001 hate-crime murder of Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh gas station owner in his district killed in the aftermath of September 11 due to mistaken identity, crediting the Anti-Defamation League’s involvement in the community’s healing. He closed by praising Rep. Brad Schneider’s resolve after demonstrators targeted his home and vandalized images of Israeli hostages near his office.

Ground Truths: Eyewitness Accounts from Israel

Among the most anticipated segments of the conference were back-to-back panels titled “Muslim Delegations to Israel — Eyewitness Accounts,” moderated by journalist Wajid Ali Syed. Panelists — including Hasan Mujtaba, Sitara Naheed, Abid Nisar, Ahmed Naeem, Sonali Tucker, Syed Anwar Wasti, and Mohammad Saifur Rahman Chowdhury — shared personal reflections from their recent visits to the region, coinciding with a signing of “O’ Jerusalem.”

Combatting Hate Through Data and Education

Dr. Charles Asher Small, Founding Director and President of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP), delivered a keynote arguing that antisemitism is not solely a Jewish concern but a direct threat to democratic societies, pluralism, and the rule of law — one requiring a broad coalition committed to defending democracy against extremist ideologies and foreign influence.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) presented a data-driven session, “Rising Antisemitism: What the Data Shows and What We Must Do,” led by Jackie Subar, Director of Strategic Partnerships, and Lauren Wolman, Senior Director of Government Relations and Strategy.

A campus-focused panel, “Interfaith Bridge Building on Campus: Faculty Perspectives,” brought together Professor Donna Gitter, Dr. Carrie Wood, Dr. Amy Milligan, and Professor Leslie Tenzer under the moderation of Sarah Livingston, discussing how to keep universities safe and intellectually open for students of all backgrounds. Reverend Kristen Glass Perez, University Chaplain at The George Washington University, shared strategies from campus multifaith leadership.

Carol Ann Schwartz, President of Hadassah, delivered keynote remarks on coalition-building among major American Jewish and Zionist organizations, while Reverend Luke Moon, a Southern Baptist minister and conservative Christian activist, highlighted the role of global Christian solidarity in protecting religious freedom.

A Vision of Hope

The gathering concluded with a passionate address from AMMWEC Founder and President Anila Ali, who has positioned the organization at the forefront of cross-cultural peace-building between Muslim and Jewish communities. Ali reflected on the paradox of greater religious access abroad than at home, and called on the room to carry the day’s lessons back to their own communities.

I am not safe if you’re not safe. And you’re not safe in your churches, in your mosques, in your synagogues, in your mandirs, until the Jewish people are safe. Anila Ali · Founder & President, AMMWEC

“We stand together today not just to counter the darkness of hate, but to build the enduring coalitions of tomorrow,” Ali said in her closing remarks. “By uniting our voices, protecting our neighbors, and honoring our shared Abrahamic values, we ensure that love and security prevail in our communities.”

Rooted in Unity Staff

Editorial Team

Rooted in Unity is a Houston, Texas-based interfaith and civic advocacy organization dedicated to dialogue and Abrahamic unity among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This report was compiled from coverage of the AMMWEC National Coalition Conference.