MCN was founded in 2003 by a group of New York City-based activists and volunteers responding to urgent needs in the community after 9/11. Since then, MCN has been working to build consensus and cooperation among Muslims, crossing ethnic, gender, class and religious boundaries to build unity and understanding. MCN became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2008. MCN programs focus on a need to build strong community partnerships, empower the community to self-advocate for their rights and interests, and encourage a culture of civic engagement.