The International Conference of Muslim Councils in the Western Hemisphere
The International Conference of Muslim Councils in the West is a major initiative by USCMO for Muslims in Western nations. This conference is the first of its kind to bring Muslim leaders around the world together to exchange experiences and to discuss common issues of concern to our communities. A conference of this scale, uniting the voices of Muslims across the Western Hemisphere and world is vital to our continued growth and development as a global community. Attendees included representatives from Muslim Councils and their member organizations from North America, South America, the Caribbean, Australia, and Europe.
The Conference is an open forum which allows for vibrant open discussions from a diverse set of leaders who represent the Muslim community in the West. Participants are brought together for a common purpose and a vision for our community, working together to suggest a set of initiatives and proposals for further deliberation. Participants present reports on the state of Muslims in their respective countries. Conference discussions focus on numerous topics of interest and concerns to the Muslim communities such as: identifying and developing strategic priorities for the Muslim communities in the West, exchanging ideas and developing strategies to address the rise of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry in the West, developing ways with which to challenge and counteract the problem of violent extremism in all its forms, enhancing the integration and positive contributions of Muslim communities in the societies in which they live, and developing strategies for the resettlement of the new waves of refugees and exchanging experiences and resources.
The Washington Declaration
One of the major outcome and main highlight of the first International Conference of Muslim Councils was the Washington Declaration. At the conclusion of the conference, the leaders have acknowledged the need and have agreed to form a Coordinating Body of Muslim Councils in the West and have formed a steering committee to implement this decision. The decision was then announced as the “Washington Declaration” at a press conference on February 3, 2016 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
