Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) is a grassroots human rights organization founded and incorporated by Zuriana (Ani) Zonneveld and Pamela K. Taylor in 2007. Headquartered in Los Angeles California, MPV has regional offices in Malaysia, the Netherlands as well as various other countries under different names such as Universal Muslim Community. It also has separate networks in Bangladesh, Canada, France, Chile, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia & throughout the U.S.
MPV provides educational and theological resources for Muslims with a liberal and progressive Islamic worldview. The main focus of MPV's work is to stimulate critical thinking of sacred texts, as it relates to promoting the implementation of progressive values, such as human rights and gender equality, which according to MPV, are both deeply rooted in both Islamic and Democratic principles.
In response to the global discourse of criticism and the radicalization of Islam, MPV seeks to dismiss what it believes to be false ideologies about Muslims and Islam. Through their global advocacy and community programs MPV seeks to enlighten Muslims and non-Muslim populations globally. On October 1, 2017 in Tunisia, MPV was a founding member of the Alliance of Inclusive Muslims, an umbrella human rights association made up of 14 member organizations spanning five continents.
In December 2013, United Nations recognized Muslims for Progressive Values as an official non-government organization (NGO) association member. The NGO/DPI Executive Committee represents 1,500 NGO organizations with monthly meetings. In January 2018, MPV secured its ECOSOC-accredited status at the United Nations. MPV's consultative status enable its advocacy to go global by challenging human rights abuses in the name of Sharia law of Muslim-majority countries at the United Nations in New York through its High Political Level Forum, and at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on issues of women's rights, LGBT rights, freedom of expression and freedom of and from religion and belief.
MPV has a board of advisors including scholars and activists such as: Reza Aslan, Amir Hussein, Karima Bennoune, Daayiee Abdullah, Zainah Anwar, Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur, and El-Farouk Khaki. Mona Eltahaway is also associated with the movement.
Goal and vision
The mission of Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) is to embody and be an effective voice of the traditional Qur'anic ideals of human dignity, egalitarianism, compassion and social justice. Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) envisions Islam as an Islamic community that embodies the ten principles of MPV. Further, MPV envisions a future where Islam is understood as a source of dignity, justice, compassion and love for all humanity and the world.
Guiding principles
MPV is guided by the ten principles which are in Islam.
Community-level programming
MPV carries out grassroots activities through its local chapters in the US, namely in Atlanta, Columbus, Washington DC, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, and in Australia, Canada, Chile, France, and Malaysia. These activities promote the mission and values of MPV at the local level. Their activities fall under the following categories: Arts, Faith-Based Initiatives, Social Justice, and Educational Campaigns.
MPV Unity Mosques
MPV Chapters offer progressive and inclusive prayer spaces in the US and Canada. All members of the community-- men, women, and LGBTQ members-- take turn leading prayers, giving sermon and doing the call of prayer [adhan]. MPV mosques are 100% funded by members of the community.
Located at 5998 W Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90035-2657 and members can also attend virtually. The adhan, prayer and khutbah may be led by a man or a woman, and the congregants participate together. Individual men and women can choose to stand/sit one side or the other if they prefer.
#ImamsForShe initiative
MPV launched a global initiative in March 2015 to address misogynist interpretations of Islamic scripture and traditions that have led to human rights violations carried out in the name of Islam against women and girls and the sub-human status of women and girls across Muslim-majority countries and within Muslim communities in the West. The initiative's purpose is to support and provide solidarity for Imams, Muslim lay leaders and Islamic scholars who actively advocate for women's rights, for empowerment and gender equality, and debunk misogyny in the name of Islam.
MPV nikah/officiant services
MPV provides nikah/officiant services for all, including same-sex and interfaith couples.