Muslim Consultative Network is inspired by the Quranic Verse:

"O Mankind, We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is he who is the most righteous of you" (Quran 49:13).

MCN Network members embrace the pluralistic nature of our city and our world. We acknowledge the ethnic, racial generational and class divides among Muslims themselves. We make efforts to work across boundaries long term & short to encourage self- and mutual understanding. 

 

  Intrafaith Community Building  

VISION
MCN Network members embrace the pluralistic nature of our city and our world. We acknowledge the ethnic, racial generational and class divides among Muslims themselves. We make efforts to work across boundaries long term & short to encourage self- and mutual understanding. And MCN staff and volunteers conduct community education programs among a range of ethnicities, economic groups, sects, students groups and social networks.

 

What is the NYS Muslim community? NYC Muslims speak over 60 languages and are served by over 250 mosques, ranging from small storefronts to elegant modern facilities, but usually understaffed. Perhaps due in part to the political climate since 9/11, Muslim institutions do not get enough support and faith based services have been quite limited. MCN members — Bangladeshi and Bosnian, Arab and Albanian, Pakistani and Palestinian, Turkish, Yemeni and Senegalese, Indo Caribbean and African American, etc — are building networks of communication and consultation as a foundation for spiritual and social development.

 

MCN embraces and includes a diverse range of Muslim community life in NYC. It members are actively strengthening community in many fields, education, social services, law, volunteerism and many other forms of civil society. The NYC Muslim community faces many serious challenges ranging from internet-based radicalism to media attacks and marginalization; the effects of the current economic downturn and the increasing gap between rich and poor, and the chronic challenges of injustice: racism, bias and double standards, materialism and lack of understanding. MCN offers community education and advocacy on a range of issues. Our four main areas — health education, social justice/civil liberties, interfaith dialogue/community building and emergency preparedness embody our essential mission to build and assist our beautiful, struggling community.

RAMADAN Opportunities
While this spirit of inclusion informs much of our work, this page is a good place to describe the annual awards given out by a committee of MCN members and community partners. This ongoing initiative is not “owned” by MCN but our influence has helped make these community events inclusive and ongoing.  

One project that embodies MCN’s commitment to intrafaith solidarity is the annual planning for Ramadan Dinners with NYC Borough Presidents. MCN contributes to this project both financially as co-sponsor and as presenter; MCN members collectively and individually take part in these successful events, not only to promote access to our elected representatives but to honor wonderful examples of services from within our diverse community, We are pleased that  over 1,000 Muslims attended these wonderful iftars in 2009. Thanks to all the planners!!

While this spirit of inclusion informs much of our work, this page is a good place to describe the annual awards given out by a committee of MCN members and community partners. This ongoing initiative is not “owned” by MCN but our influence has helped make these community events inclusive and ongoing.  

 

2009 NYC Community Iftars & Community Service Awards with Borough Presidents’ Offices

For Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan Events Please see

 

2008 Iftars

 

Brooklyn Iftar
Honorees Open invitation
Mona Eldahry - Founding Director of AWAAM (Arab Women Active in the Arts and Media)
Abdul Rab Khan - Founding member of Khaybar Society
MAS Youth Center
Imam Siraj Wahhaj – Founder of Masjid At-Taqwa

 

Queens Iftar

Honorees
Sister Amina Abdul Haqq
Mohamad Bazzi
ANSOB Center for Refugees
Pakistan Federation of America

 

Manhattan Iftar (See Program)
Honorees
Barbara Nimri Aziz
Mikhail DeVeaux
Aziz Huq
New York Disaster Interfaith Services
Women in Islam

 

2007 Ramadan Iftars

 

During Ramadan, Muslim Consultative Network members planned and organized a series of iftar (break-fast) gatherings, including MCN's co-sponsored Seventh Annual Interfaith Iftar held at Union Seminary, with 200 attending, the largest turn out ever.  Special panelists, along with others:  Dr. Thelma Adair, Retired Professor of Early Childhood Education, Chair, Presbyterian Senior Service, Sr. Debbie Almontaser, NYC Educator in the News (founding Principal of Kahlil Gibran School) and Interfaith Advocate; Mejinderpal Kaur, Director for Human Rights and Advocacy, United Sikhs; Burton L. Vizotzy, Nathan and Janet Appelman Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Studies, Jewish Theological Seminary. The interactive format, prayers and delicious dinner all contribute to a very well received event.

 

MCN also helped organize the Fourth Annual Brooklyn Boro Hall Iftar Dinner, which attracted over 300 attendees. The Brooklyn Borough hall event honored Umar Beig, Publisher of "The Mirror;" Sakibeh Mustafa, PCAP/Community Outreach Coordinator at Victoria Memorial Hospital; Marcia Kamry, President of "The Dialogue Project"; Sidique Wai, Administrative Community Relations Specialist, NYPD; Imam Hilmi Akdag, United American Muslim Association; and the Al Noor School.