At a time of mounting global tensions and rising antisemitism and other hate crimes, a powerful gathering of Muslim and Jewish women leaders in the US capital offered a compelling alternative: partnership over division.
The American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) hosted its annual “Uniting Against Hate” summit on Monday, drawing female changemakers from across the United States for a full day of dialogue, solidarity, and civic engagement.
Among the summit’s key partners was the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), which co-sponsored the event as part of its ongoing commitment to advancing interfaith collaboration and fighting antisemitism worldwide.
CAM’s Chief Government Affairs Officer Lisa Katz moderated a panel titled “Standing Up to Bigotry: Engaging Local Leaders,” featuring Sheikh Musa Drammeh, president of Muslims Israel Dialogue, and Dr. Atia Shahnaz, a prominent voice in New York’s Muslim community and an appointee of Mayor Eric Adams, serving as Muslim women liaison in the city’s Community Affairs Unit.
Speaking after the event, Katz described the conference as “a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we choose partnership over division.”
“In the fight against antisemitism, moments like this—where Muslim and Jewish leaders come together with honesty and mutual respect—are not only meaningful, they are essential,” she said. “I was honored to take part and to continue building the relationships that can create real change on the ground.”
The annual AMMWEC summit has become a cornerstone of grassroots interfaith engagement in the United States, amplifying the voices of women—particularly Muslim women—who are working to combat hate, build bridges, and promote civic participation within their communities.
AMMWEC Founder and President Anila Ali emphasized the urgent need for cross-community collaboration in today’s polarized climate.
“Our conference brings people together to share strategies, build coalitions, and confront the growing threats of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate,” Ali said. “By highlighting female leadership, we aim to inspire a renewed sense of civic responsibility—especially among Muslim women—and foster a deeper commitment to interfaith solidarity.”
The partnership between AMMWEC and CAM has grown steadily in recent years, encompassing interfaith Iftar celebrations, awareness campaigns, community rallies, and delegations to Israel. The relationship reflects a shared belief that sustained dialogue and joint action are vital in confronting extremism and prejudice on all fronts.
In one of the most visible expressions of this alliance, Ali addressed a crowd of nearly 300,000 people at the March for Israel in Washington, D.C., in November 2023—just a month after Hamas’s October 7th massacre.
“I stand before you as a friend of the Jewish people,” she told the audience. “I am here to affirm to my Abrahamic brothers and sisters that you are not alone.”
That message—delivered in the wake of unspeakable tragedy—echoed throughout this year’s summit, where attendees underscored the importance of collective moral clarity in the face of hate.
As Katz noted, “We can only move forward if we do it together. The trust built in rooms like this is the foundation of a more just and peaceful future.”
With tensions continuing to simmer on college campuses, in city halls, and across social media platforms, the AMMWEC summit served as a timely reminder that when courageous women from different backgrounds choose unity over division, they do more than challenge hatred—they redefine leadership.