Megan Cort recently returned from a language intensive in Amman, Jordan; she currently works for International Arts and Artists.   Growing up in a predominantly white, Christian, small town in western Massachusetts, I had very little knowledge of the Islamic faith. I still remember, quite vividly, someone discussing the concept of a pilgrimage to Mecca, […]

Ramiz Shaikh shares his journey from growing up as a Muslim in Hindu-majority India to exploring his identity in the melting pot of America.   I was born in Ahmedabad, India, and spent most of my teenage and adult life in Great Barrington, a small town in Southern Berkshire, Massachusetts. My family lived in an […]

Baktash Ahadi is currently an instructor at the Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute where he teaches diplomats about Afghanistan. Baktash holds degrees from The Johns Hopkins University and from Susquehanna University. He is on the boards of the Susquehanna University Executive Alumni Board, Friends of Afghanistan, and the Yellow Breeches Educational Center.    I […]

Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar, PhD, has a BA in History from Chatham College in Pennsylvania, an MA in Philosophy, an MA in Counseling Psychology and a Ph.D. in Educational Foundations. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor. ​ Dr. Bakhtiar has been practising Islam for over 30 years under her teacher, Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr. She […]

Lama Al Jarallah shares her journey to finding a community in America that “nourished and encouraged” her.  In her professional life, she is dedicated to building an environment of inclusive cultural diversity, personal growth, efficiency, and communication.   I was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where I grew up until my early teens. After a […]

Zeina Mohammed is a member of the 2018-19 MALA Young Leaders Fellowship. Fellows participate in monthly digital seminars, dinner discussions, and other MALA events. As part of the program, Fellows reflect on their multiple layers of identities – as daughters, sons, professionals, athletes, and so much more – and share those reflections into the MALA […]

Rahima Dosani is a member of the 2018-19 MALA Young Leaders Fellowship. Fellows participate in monthly digital seminars, dinner discussions, and other MALA events. As part of the program, Fellows reflect on their multiple layers of identities – as daughters, sons, professionals, athletes, and so much more – and share those reflections into the MALA […]

Isra Omar is a member of the 2018-19 MALA Young Leaders Fellowship. Fellows participate in monthly digital seminars, dinner discussions, and other MALA events. As part of the program, Fellows reflect on their multiple layers of identities – as daughters, sons, professionals, athletes, and so much more – and share those reflections into the MALA […]

Farhana Shafi is a member of the 2018-19 MALA Young Leaders Fellowship. Fellows participate in monthly digital seminars, dinner discussions, and other MALA events. As part of the program, Fellows reflect on their multiple layers of identities – as daughters, sons, professionals, athletes, and so much more – and share those reflections into the MALA […]

Amal Amaskane is a member of the 2018-19 MALA Young Leaders Fellowship. Fellows participate in monthly digital seminars, dinner discussions, and other MALA events. As part of the program, Fellows reflect on their multiple layers of identities – as daughters, sons, professionals, athletes, and so much more – and share those reflections into the MALA […]

Fuad Faruque is a member of the 2018-19 MALA Young Leaders Fellowship. Fellows participate in monthly digital seminars, dinner discussions, and other MALA events. As part of the program, Fellows reflect on their multiple layers of identities – as daughters, sons, professionals, athletes, and so much more – and share those reflections into the MALA […]

Farida Karim is a member of the 2018-19 MALA Young Leaders Fellowship. Fellows participate in monthly digital seminars, dinner discussions, and other MALA events. As part of the program, Fellows reflect on their multiple layers of identities – as daughters, sons, professionals, athletes, and so much more – and share those reflections into the MALA […]

Nadah Feteih has loved solving puzzles since she was a child.  In her story, she talks about how this affinity for problem solving fostered a passion for computer science, and shares her perspective as a Muslim woman working in Tech.     Both of my parents were born and raised in Egypt.  My dad ended […]

Nazhah Khawajah shares her experiences navigating the Chicago school system as a young adult and finding fulfillment in her career, as well as in her personal life.  Her story is one of risk-taking, intuition, and self-advocacy.   I was born in Chicago, Illinois, right here in the city.  I remember a lot of play.  We […]

Sohib Boundaoui’s insight into the mind of a child of immigrants is both encouraging and eye-opening. Not only does he describe the trouble with rigid conservative cultural values and their implications, but he also offers a tangible solution.     I was born in Chicago, and I was born in a neighborhood called Bridgeview. Bridgeview […]

"In the place where I grew up in Ghana, Muslims lived together with Christians (we did not have many Jews in that area) and we talked to each other. Whenever one would have a holy celebration, we would eat with each other, and participate in each other’s events. So, I decided to use what I have, which is my faith, to reach out to other people in the community."