Expanding the Circle of Peace: Anila Ali Advocates for Abraham Accords in South Asia

In a powerful keynote address, the Pakistani-American advocate calls for Abrahamic unity and moral courage in confronting extremism

WASHINGTON, DC – In a historic and deeply moving keynote address at the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee’s Israel Independence Day celebration, Anila Ali, President of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC), delivered a powerful call for interfaith solidarity and moral courage in confronting today’s complex challenges.

“I stand before you as a Muslim American Pakistani who refuses to hate Jews,” Ali declared at the beginning of her address, setting the tone for a speech that wove together personal experience, religious understanding, and a vision for a more united future.

Building Bridges Through Personal Experience

Ali’s commitment to interfaith dialogue is deeply rooted in her own experiences. She shared her transformative visits to Israel both before and after the Hamas attacks of October 7th, 2023, when she led Muslim delegations to bear witness to the aftermath, meet survivors, and extend solidarity to grieving families—both Jewish and Muslim.

“This is not a battle between Islam and Judaism,” she emphasized with conviction. “This is a battle between good and evil.”

Her principled stance has not come without personal cost. Ali described standing at the March for Israel rally in Washington, D.C., where she proudly proclaimed “Am Yisrael Chai” despite facing death threats, harassment, and ostracism from extremist groups. Drawing a parallel to historical moral courage, she referenced August Landmesser, the lone German who refused to perform the Nazi salute in a famous photograph—choosing conscience over conformity.

Reclaiming the True Islamic Tradition of Coexistence

In a particularly illuminating segment of her address, Ali highlighted how the earliest Islamic traditions supported interfaith harmony:

“The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the first interfaith leader,” she noted, citing the Charter of Medina, which united Muslims, Jews, and others under a framework of mutual respect and shared responsibility.

“The Prophet lived side by side with Jews and Christians. That message of coexistence has been distorted by Islamists—and we must reclaim it,” Ali stated.

Grassroots Compassion Transcending Political Divisions

One of the most touching moments in Ali’s speech came when she recalled her partnership with Dr. Gwen Hecht, a Jewish American leader who traveled with Ali to Tharparkar, Pakistan, to build schools for underserved children.

“In that desert village, the elders greeted Dr. Gwen with open arms. They said, ‘You are our sister, a child of Musa (peace be upon him), and of the People of the Book.’ That is the power of true faith-based allyship,” Ali recalled.

She noted that this grassroots example of interfaith acceptance carried profound implications: “It was the Muslims of the Thar desert—not the elites—who showed moral clarity and compassion after October 7th.”

Leading by Example: Muslim Delegations Standing Against Antisemitism

Ali’s collaborative work with organizations like Sharaka and the Combat Antisemitism Movement has yielded groundbreaking initiatives, including historic delegations of Muslim leaders, imams, and South Asian journalists to Israel and participation in the March of the Living, where Muslim participants led prayers at Auschwitz in solidarity with the Jewish people.

Local news coverage captured the significance of Ali’s address. Watch the WTSP News video for additional context about the event and its impact on the community.

A Vision for Expanded Peace in South Asia

Drawing connections between Pakistan and Israel as nations both born in the late 1940s, Ali outlined an ambitious vision for peace:

“Just as we celebrated the Abraham Accords between Arabs and Israelis, we now stand ready to celebrate the Abraham Accords for Asia. And today, we urge President Trump to include South Asian Muslim nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh in this expanding circle of peace.”

A Shared Responsibility to Combat Hatred

Ali concluded her powerful address with a call to action that resonated deeply with the diverse audience:

“Muslims must fight antisemitism. Jews must fight Islamophobia. Together, we must fight hate. Because in an ocean of hate, we were the oasis of humanity. In the fog of war, we were the clarity of compassion.”

For more information about AMMWEC’s interfaith programs and initiatives, you can watch a recent briefing here.

Her keynote was more than a speech—it was a testament to the transformative power of dialogue, moral courage, and shared faith in healing a world divided by conflict and misunderstanding.

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