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

Federal officials, lawmakers, international delegations, and digital influencers gathered at the National Press Club under the banner “United Against Antisemitism & Hate: Protecting Our Communities,” pledging a permanent alliance among America’s communities of faith.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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. 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 confront 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 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.

“I am not here as a Republican or a Democrat. The issue of anti-Semitism is not political. It’s fundamental — it’s an issue of right versus wrong.” Leo Terrell, U.S. Department of Justice

Terrell told the assembled crowd that fighting antisemitism “is a 24-7 job,” pointing to what he described as a pattern of hate crime charges going unfiled in major cities and Jewish congregations forced to pay steep security costs simply to worship safely. He linked the cause to the broader history of the American civil rights movement, recalling the 1964 Mississippi murders of Jewish civil rights workers Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner alongside James Chaney, and credited Jewish Americans’ historic role in founding the NAACP in 1909. He introduced seven interns traveling with him on the tour and closed by praising Dr. Anila Ali’s forthcoming work on the national committee to combat antisemitism, calling the diversity in the room the tour’s greatest asset.

Also on the program: 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,” documenting firsthand Muslim delegation visits to Israel following the October 7 attacks.

Lawmakers Press for Legislative Action

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

“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 argued that America’s strength lies not in every community being powerful enough to defend itself alone, but in a shared obligation to defend rights “we may never personally need.” He called the ADL’s annual audit of antisemitic incidents essential documentation of a threat that, in his words, requires “a permanent alliance among communities of faith, grounded in mutual defense.” Framing the moment against America’s approaching 250th anniversary, Stanton said the strongest tribute to the nation’s founding would be ensuring every American enters the next 250 years with the same unalienable rights promised in the Declaration of Independence. He closed by commending fellow New Democrat Coalition leader Rep. Brad Schneider for his resilience after demonstrators targeted his home and vandals defaced images of Israeli hostages outside his office.

Ground Truths: Eyewitness Accounts from Israel

Among the most anticipated segments of the conference were back-to-back panel discussions titled “Muslim Delegations to Israel — Eyewitness Accounts,” moderated by journalist Wajid Ali Syed. Panelists shared deeply personal reflections from recent visits to the region.

• Eyewitness PanelistsHasan Mujtaba, Sitara Naheed, Abid Nisar, Ahmed Naeem, Sonali Tucker, Syed Anwar Wasti, and Mohammad Saifur Rahman Chowdhury
• Pakistan Delegation — “United for Abrahamic Unity”Kashif Mirza, Pastor Shahid, Imam Sajjad, and Evangelist Rashid Gill, illustrating grassroots interfaith harmony efforts in South Asia

The sessions coincided with a book signing for “O’ Jerusalem,” which documents the experiences of Muslim delegates navigating faith, reality, and reconciliation in the aftermath of October 7.

Combatting Hate Through Data and Education

Leading civil rights experts offered analysis of the modern landscape of extremism. 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 and the values of freedom, pluralism, and the rule of law — one that requires a broad coalition to confront extremist ideologies and foreign influence.

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

The academic conversation continued in Panel 5, “Interfaith Bridge Building on Campus: Faculty Perspectives,” featuring Professor Donna Gitter, Dr. Carrie Wood, Dr. Amy Milligan, and Professor Leslie Tenzer, moderated by Sarah Livingston. Reverend Kristen Glass Perez, University Chaplain at The George Washington University, shared strategies from the front lines of campus multifaith leadership.

Next Generation: Peacemakers, Influencers, and Activists

The summit turned attention to representation and modern communication with two dedicated panels:

• Muslim Women in PeacemakingModerated by Farhana Khorshed, featuring Leyla Mammadli, Atia Shahnaz, Manel Msalmi, and Lima Anwari, on the unique role women play in mediating conflict and de-escalating communal tension
• Interfaith Digital Creators and InfluencersModerated by Michael Gamal, with Muniza Ansari, Sam Salz, Leena Shah, and Aaliya Shah on combatting online radicalization and viral misinformation, joined by virtual addresses from Zack Sage Fox and Loay Al Shareef

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

“I Am Not Safe If You’re Not Safe”

The historic gathering closed 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.

“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 — because it starts with the Jews, and it doesn’t end there.” Dr. Anila Ali, Founder & President, AMMWEC

Ali paid tribute to her team and family, invoked the legacies of Benazir Bhutto and Indira Gandhi as examples of Muslim and South Asian women’s leadership, and turned the floor over to an Iranian-American colleague to speak on behalf of what she called “the forgotten people” — citizens of Iran living under a regime she said has killed tens of thousands of its own people.

“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 address. “By uniting our voices, protecting our neighbors, and honoring our shared Abrahamic values, we ensure that love and security prevail in our communities.”