A thoughtful gathering of Muslim American voices was organized by Emgage at the University of South Florida Hall on December 13, 2025. The luncheon meeting offered a unique opportunity to hear from noted journalist and broadcaster Mr. Mehdi Hasan, who attended as the keynote speaker.
Mr. Hasan took part in a two-hour dialogue that was followed in pin-drop silence by a packed audience, nearly half of whom were women. At various moments, his remarks were met with warm and graceful applause, reflecting the deep engagement of those present.
Before the dialogue began, an Emgage host speaker highlighted the organization’s Emerging Leaders Program, an initiative aimed at cultivating a pipeline of Muslim American civic leaders through expert-led training and hands-on organizing. The training focuses primarily on storytelling, civic engagement, politics, and public policy. In 2025 alone, the program trained 363 high school and college students from seven states across 15 events, equipping them with critical skills for civic leadership. The speaker noted that the program has played an effective role in empowering the next generation of Muslim American leaders.
The host also spoke about the North Star Policy Initiative (NSPI), launched in July 2025 under the supervision of an advisory council composed of former senior policymakers and community leaders. As part of this initiative, NSPI plans to organize upcoming policy forums in Michigan with Senator Chris Van Hollen and local leaders, in the Bay Area with Congressman Ro Khanna and Silicon Valley leaders, and in Minnesota with Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Before the start of the event, Mr. Hasan and this correspondent shared a brief but meaningful interaction, discussing issues concerning the millions of Muslim American voters across all 50 states and their growing impact on the social and political fabric of the United States. Mr. Hasan expressed deep appreciation for Muslim Americans, noting that many had migrated and settled in the country, sacrificing their present for the future of coming generations. He remarked that Muslim Americans are a strength for America. He also spoke positively about Muslim Americans of Bangladesh and Pakistan, recalling encounters with many of them in New York, Washington, D.C., and Florida, where they contribute positively in diverse ways. When invited to visit those countries, Mr. Hasan responded that he would be happy to do so when circumstances allow.
During his address, Mr. Hasan spoke at length about the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East, particularly the prolonged suffering and massacres of Palestinians in Gaza since October 7, 2023, which he described as one of the darkest chapters of our time. He also praised the role of Muslim American voters in recent elections, citing the New York mayoral race as an example of their growing political consciousness and moral voice. He answered several questions from the audience, including those posed by women participants.
The jam-packed hall drew Muslim Americans from several neighboring states and reflected a rich diversity, including attendees of Palestinian, Algerian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Moroccan, Egyptian, Jordanian, and other backgrounds. The event also served as a fundraiser for Emgage, with approximately sixty donors—many of them women—pledging monthly contributions ranging from $100 to $500. A delicious lunch was served prior to the start of the program.
Mr. Mehdi Hasan, a widely respected and busy media personality, departed soon after the event. From Tampa, he was scheduled to attend another engagement later that day in Orlando, Florida.
Khawaja Jawaid Ahmed
Special to Bangla Times, Fort Myers
