Virginia Muslim Civic League

05/21/2026

Our statement on the tragedy in San Diego, and what we plan to do to protect our communities.

05/21/2026

VMCL Director Charles Turner recently spoke to WRIC about community feelings following the tragedy in San Diego.

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/va-muslim-san-diego-mosque-shooting-conversations-safety/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAR5u11leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeRUxviO0lOaCiHrXlrijQM_c0YGbG-TafDHTL5obhS3wwP4jmUrStyYPrOhM_aem_I6LQ28_NJ48NF6cfGoZ7AQ

As police investigate a deadly shooting at a California mosque as a hate crime, Muslim leaders in Central Virginia say the attack is prompting conversations locally about safety at places of worshi…

05/13/2026

Americans, and especially marginalized communities, should not be subject to mass surveillance. Thank you, Delegate Sam Rasoul, for speaking clearly about the dangers of this technology and it's growing ubiquity in law enforcement!

Just like cameras that track residents’ cars, microphones that constantly record sound are ripe for abuse.

04/24/2026

The VMCL is so grateful to be a part of VACIR - Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights, who left the charge on getting HB1441 to the finish line!

Local and State Law Enforcement participation in increasingly irresponsible federal immigration enforcement undermines public safety by eroding trust between police and the community and diverting police resources away from truly pressing public safety needs. This is becoming more evident as federal agents continue to police recklessly and violate constitutional rights, leading to the harassment of American citizens and even the extrajudicial killings of two American citizens in Minnesota.

With Governor Spanberger’s signature, HB 1441 improves protections for Virginians and ensures that our local and state police focus on their jobs keeping our community safe. Law Enforcement participation in civil immigration enforcement will now be limited to instances where there is a valid judicial warrant. ICE will also have to agree to abide by Virginia law and to respect constitutional rights before entering into 287(g) agreements with local and state police.

I am incredibly thankful for the Governor’s support, as well as the work of advocates and my colleagues to make sure Virginia maintains public safety and trust throughout our Commonwealth.

04/22/2026

Salam everyone! We're very excited to share that we will be fundraising with the Richmond Kickers again this year! Join us on May 16 at City Stadium and proceeds from your ticket purchase will benefit the VMCL!

You can purchase tickets now at https://richmondkickers.group/vmclkickersfundraiser

04/21/2026

❗Today is the Redistricting referendum election. Polls are open until 7pm and you can vote so long as you're in line by then. Head to your usual polling place and cast your ballot.

🗳️ Virginia has same-day registration as well! You can check your registration athttps://www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal/

📞 If you experience any issues at the polls, please DM me or call the election protection hotline at 1-866-687-8683.

The VMCL doesn't have an official position on today's election but here's a primer for those who need it:
1. Trump ordered Texas GOP to redraw their maps so they could keep a majority in the House of Representatives.
2. Virginia Democrats responded by trying to redraw our balance against the GOP increase from Texas (resulting in today's election).
3. The new map will give Democrats a huge advantage in the next election, making representation for Virginians very disproportionate, but possibly helping Congress stay more balanced.
4. After the next census, we go back to our previous method of drawing districts.

Some Muslim-specific points to consider:
1. If Yes wins, we will have four Muslims running in four separate districts.
2. If Yes wins, two of the three Republicans representing the Western part of the state will lose their seats. Each of those three Republicans is in the "Sharia-Free America" caucus.
3. Many Muslims I've heard from are voting Yes to block Trump's agenda, and some are voting No because they do not approve of the process Democrats are using to change, and ultimately distort, representation for Virginians.

04/20/2026

🎉 Muslim rights restored! 🎉

Muslim inmates in VDOC's Western region were denied their right to attend jummah for years. But a few months ago, the MCSVA and VMCL pushed VDOC to restore their rights. After reaching out to the Office of the Attorney General, who then opened a civil rights investigation, we were informed that their rights were restored and they have again started attending jummah, alhamdulillah!

Check out our joint statement to learn more at https://docs.google.com/document/d/172GIPF0lt9zXe-9uxdcNOF6cFNXpnw-dQacfuhdc-qY/edit?usp=sharing

The fight continues though. There are still prisons throughout the state which are preventing Muslims from praying jummah.

🤝 If you want to help us keep advocating for Muslims inmates, consider making a contribution at www.vmcl.org/donate or to our friends at the Muslim Chaplain Services at www.muslim-chaplains.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dr. Charles Turner, Executive Director 804.214.6698 [email protected] Weekly Jummah Services Resume at VADOC Western Region Prisons. Background: The Friday prayer services, known as the Jummah prayer, were recently discontinued in the Western Region after an incid...

04/07/2026

❗ ACTION ALERT ❗

SB783 & HB1441, the bills that limit local law enforcement cooperation with ICE, are awaiting the governor's signature to become law! And she needs to hear from our community.

📝Please sign our petition asking the governor to sign this critical legislation. Then share the petition with your friends!

🔗Sign here: https://c.org/jCzyVztMCm

🤝Together, we can send a clear message: we don't want ICE in our communities!

Tell Gov. Spanberger to limit collaboration with ICE

04/01/2026

What's this April election all about??? Why is Virginia redrawing its districts in the middle of the decade? Is this about fairness or power? Why does Texas always have to cause trouble?!

Join us for an upcoming informational session about the April 21 redistricting referendum!

This Friday, we'll be at ICVA with an hour-long deep dive into the issue (and dinner!).

Next Tuesday, you can check out a more condensed 10-minute overview at WEIC.

More dates and locations coming soon, inshallah!

03/30/2026

We just published our newsletter with our 2026 General Assembly recap! Check out all the critical work we did during the session below.

If you want to receive our email updates, sign up at www.vmcl.org/updates.

And if you think the work we're doing is valuable, please consider making a contribution at www.vmcl.org/donate.

Newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/6b3e232f9c03/election-forum-this-friday-at-weic-55491

The 2026 Virginia General Assembly has adjourned and the VMCL was busy advocating for our communities and supporting our allies in crucial legislative battles.

03/27/2026

For those attending, stop by the VMCL table and say hello!