American Muslims in Public Service

Since 9/11, news polls show the place of Muslims in American society has become a national preoccupation. But Muslims perform public service at virtually every level of American government, from elected officials to political advisors, from judges to Homeland Security personnel.

Based in USC Dornsife, the USC Center for Islamic Thought, Culture and Practice (CITCAP) aims to provide a comprehensive look at Muslim participation in civic life in the United States at the “American Muslims in Public Service” conference held Friday, Sept. 5 at the University Park campus.

“By bringing together civic leaders and other experts who can speak to the ideals and realities of Muslim participation in the public sphere, our goal is to help everyone better understand our shared present, and more sensibly anticipate the future that all of us have a hand in shaping,” said Sherman Jackson, CITCAP director and King Faisal Chair in Islamic Thought and Culture.

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota), the first Muslim member of Congress, will deliver the keynote address at the interactive conference.

The conference is co-sponsored by the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture, the USC School of Religion, the USC Center for Law, History and Culture and the USC Department of American Studies and Ethnicity, all housed in USC Dornsife.

The panels will be open to the public and held at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center. For details, visit the CITCAP website.