(WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/15/2015) -- Some 280 delegates from more than 20 states met this week with elected officials and congressional staffers during the "historic" first-ever National Muslim Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), a coalition of leading national and local Muslim American organizations.

Muslim delegates from a number of organizations visited (or are scheduled to visit) 200 congressional offices -- one third of the House of Representatives and almost half of the Senate. Before heading to congressional offices, the Muslim delegates met in the Rayburn House Office Building to learn lobbying tips from political experts.

National Muslim Advocacy Day delegates are urging their elected representatives to support issues that address the domestic priorities of the Muslim-American community, including:

• Calling on Congress to urge the U.S. Department of Justice to amend its racial profiling guidance for federal law enforcement by removing any existing loopholes that continue to permit profiling in the name of national security, domestic surveillance and policing the border. Many of these programs have disproportionately targeted Latinos, Muslims and other minorities, and raise serious due process concerns.
• Congressional support of federal legislation that prohibits any federal, state, local and Indian tribal law enforcement agency from engaging in profiling on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or religion.

• Support of federal legislation that addresses the problems our nation is facing with youth violence by strengthening after-school programs.

"Unity is the cornerstone of this historic day," said Nihad Awad, National Executive Director of the Council for American Islamic Relations. "This is not only an opportunity for Muslim Americans to express their views but for elected officials to hear directly from their Muslim constituents. Today marks a milestone for our community, and our work advocating on these important issues will continue when we return home."

"This historic united advocacy day marks the coming of age for the Muslim American community on the national political scene," said Robert McCaw, chairman of the USCMO Advocacy Day Steering Committee. "The education, equality and social justice agenda promoted by National Muslim Advocacy Day delegates is of benefit to all Americans, regardless of background."

McCaw said National Muslim Advocacy Day exceeded all expectations in terms of nationwide participation by first-time Muslim delegates and of interaction with elected officials and congressional staff.

Founding members of USCMO include: The Mosque Cares (Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA).