I co-founded MPV with Ani Zonneveld, but after a couple years I had to step back due to difficult life circumstances. I have remained active in the organization not just because I believe passionately in it's missiong, but because it offers something very few American Muslims organizations and mosques do -- an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere where we are all invited to be true to ourselves and seek the pleasure of God as we believe is best. MPV has been a leader in promoting women's and lgbt rights in the Muslim community and in greater American society. It has been foundational in challenging the status quo among Muslim organizations, and has slowly (along with a lot of help from other social factors) begun pulling the mainstream Muslim community a bit more left, making them rethink their positions on women's leadership and the place of the queer community in Islam. It is so exciting to see as MPV mosques well up in city after city, and we hear stories of people who's faith, who's very life has been changed, and affirmed, by members of this organization.