What we’re about
Meet other local progressive Muslims and get together in an open, compassionate and non-judgmental environment. We welcome new Muslims, old Muslims, LGBTQ Muslims, and Muslims in mixed-faith relationships. Our goal is to build a community in Los Angeles based on the core Islamic values of compassion, equality, social justice, and human rights. A place where you can be yourself AND Muslim!
This progressive Muslim community was founded on January 6, 2006 and is the Los Angeles chapter of the national and the oldest progressive Muslim organization, Muslims for Progressive Values, a 501 (c) (3), founded in July 2007. For more details about MPV please visit www.mpvusa.org.
Meetups are scheduled very regularly as announced. Activities include socializing, discussion, spiritual conversation, youth open mics, zikr, hiking, social activism/volunteer work, celebrating holidays, and experiencing art, film, and music.
We gather regularly mostly for discussion and spiritual reflection. All who come with an open mind and loving heart are welcome--including non-Muslim friends, significant others, etc. Topics are announced in advance so that those interested can prepare for a meaningful and informed discussion.
In setting up our prayer space, we strive to create a caring environment in which no one is segregated or excluded. Attendees are invited in turn to lead prayer, regardless of gender. This means that the prayer may be led by a man or a woman, the sermon (khutbah) may be delivered by a man or a woman. The group of congregants is mixed, standing and seated together, like we do in Mecca, which we call "Mecca-style". Of course, individual men and women can choose to stand/sit to one side or the other if they prefer. We also end our prayer segments with spiritual songs.
For information on MPV and the principles that inform and guide us, please visit About Us.
We are happy to announce that we have an officiant available. Officiant is open to marrying mixed faith couples as well as same-sex couples.
Please contact Ani at info@mpvusa.org for information on Islamic interfaith wedding services.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Grief in the Middle EastLink visible for attendees
We recognize that many of us are going through tremendous grief, feeling dispirited, helpless, angry and even hate. For me personally, I am desperately trying to fight off the hate.
Despite the hate Prophet Muhammad endured, he led with compassion. So, I am trying...and I invite you to come along.
Join Muslims for Progressive Values - Los Angeles (MPV-LA) for an insightful discussion with Parents Circle. This is a MPV co-sponsored event so that it is free for you.
Register here.
The Parents Circle - Families Forum (https://parentscirclefriends.org/) is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of more than 700 bereaved families. Their common bond is that they have lost a close family member to the conflict. But instead of choosing revenge, they have chosen a path of reconciliation. Through their educational activities, these bereaved members have joined together to take tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis on journeys of reconciliation. It is often raw and always emotional. But out of these interactions, comes change. Not the kind of change that makes headlines, but a more personal and profound shift in perspective. As a joint Israeli-Palestinian peace organization, the PCFF models constructive dialogue around shared values. Even since October 7th, 2023, its staff, members, and thousands of participants are still committed to peace and a way forward that centers around empathy and humanization. The PCFF focuses on the shared value of the sanctity of human life. This conversation brings our attention to the values that Palestinians and Israelis can agree upon even in the darkest of times.
Speakers:
Laila Alsheikh lives in Bethlehem in the West Bank. In 2002, her 6 months old son, Qussay, became ill and Israeli soldiers prevented Layla from taking him to the hospital for more than five hours. Qussay soon died from the lack of timely treatment. Laila joined the Parents Circle in 2016. Following her son’s death, she never thought of revenge, but rather has devoted her time and energy to ensuring a better, more peaceful future for her children.Robi Damelin, spokesperson and director of International Relations for the Parents Circle - Families Forum joined the organization after her son was killed by a Palestinian Sniper. All her work on the ground both in Palestine and Israel and internationally is geared towards non-violence and reconciliation as a means to end the occupation. Robi was named as a 2015 Woman of Impact by Women in the World. She regularly contributes to media outlets in Israel and abroad. Robi was invited to brief the Security Council at the United Nations in May, 2022.
- American Muslim Musical MosaicThe Cat’s Crawl, Los Angeles, CA
For many years now I have been wanting to create a celebrative musical event, something that reflects our progressive and inclusive values, and something that can be produced as an Eid event. The first step to fulfilling that vision is to anchor it in our musical history, the music the enslaved Muslims brought to America, gnawa, which then led to blues, country and jazz.
Phase I of the Muslim Musical Mosaic will be a hybrid of a panel discussion of that history and musical performances to illustrate that history, but, with a twist! So come, learn and enjoy the music!
Speakers and performers:
Professor Mark Levine, Lu Fuki, Alfred Madian, Farah Mitha, Tazeen Ayub, Aiman Khan and Ani ZonneveldThis is a free event but registration is required. To register go here.
This free event is made possibe with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org.
Additional funding from generous MPV donors. We love you!
