We Build Relationships
We’re leveraging our Eman to create sustainable change in the communities around us. And, we’re doing it through multi-faith and civic engagement.
At Minaret Foundation, we create multiple programmatic touchpoints between masajid, synagogues, and churches. Think group dialogues, panel discussions, athletic events, BBQs, and more. Then comes the nagging question: “Now that we know about each other, what’s next?”
For us, that next step is civic engagement. Together with our faith partners, we advocate for common-sense policies and influence legislators at every level.
Our community is evolving from focusing exclusively on Islamophobia and oppression overseas to working for our neighbors around us. At Minaret Foundation, we’re building capacity on policies related to food insecurity, women’s health, juvenile justice, and community cohesion.
With Allah (swt)’s help, we’re changing hearts and minds and benefiting wider society through multi-faith and civic engagement.
Our mission is to lift American Muslim voices for sustainable change through multi-faith and civic engagement.
Our vision is to see a world where leveraging our faith to create change is no longer an exception, but the norm.
We’ll achieve our goals through strategic programming with faith-based partners and domestic and global advocacy.
Minaret Foundation is a Texas-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our EIN, or tax ID, is 83-3372048
Education
36 major engagements with faith congregations in the past 12 months
School To Prison
Our Muslim-led bill, ‘No Kids In Cuffs’, brings together 36+ bi-partisan groups
Media
18 news articles, segments, and op-eds locally and state-wide in 2020
Faith Coalition
Built faith coalition to advocate for rental assistance from $5M to $19.1M and the creation of a Juvenile Mental Health Court
County Advisory Board
Creation of the first-ever Multi-Faith Advisory Board for the Fort Bend County Judge
Ramadan Recognition
Recognition by the Texas House for Ramadan 2021, with no opposition, and the condemnation by the Texas House of all faith-based hate acts.
Leadership Training
Pipeline of 16 interns working on policy and communications building the next generation.
Candidate Forum
Largest candidate forum by any faith-based organization in Texas for the 2020 election cycle
Law Enforcement Policy
Organized the majority of Imams and Rabbis to advise Mayor Turner on relational policing
State of the Unity
Created the first annual program bringing together policy makers on both sides of the aisle for dialogue and cooperation.
Outside the Box
Organized the first networking event exclusively for Imam’s and evangelical Pastors in Houston
Furthered Engagement
Created the largest Eid greeting video in the nation with 34 elected officials and 28 faith leaders for 2020.
Meet Our Team
We’re passionate about the work we do because we believe in the power of relationship building. Working with our faith and community partners, we are stronger and more impactful together. Interested in joining our team? View our open positions, learn more about our internships, or read up on our volunteer opportunities.
SHARIQ ABDUL GHANI
DIRECTOR
ZAINA SIDDIQUE
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
NOOR SALEH
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COORDINATOR
ABIGAIL LEVINE
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
SAMRA HAFEEZ
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
ASHLEY SMITH
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
JANNELLY MARTINEZ
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
JORDAN ZAVAREEI
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
BENNETT DAVIES
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
HEBA MOHIUDDIN
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
AILEEN CARRETO
DIGITAL DESIGN
MARYAM MEHBOOB
GRANTS & DEVELOPMENT
CATHERINE LIN
GRANTS & DEVELOPMENT
ASHLEY SCHAPPACHER
SOCIAL MEDIAWe’re passionate about the work we do because we believe in the power of relationship building. Working with our faith and community partners, we are stronger and more impactful together. Interested in joining our team? View our open positions, learn more about our internships, or read up on our volunteer opportunities.
SHAYKH WALEED BASYOUNI, Ph.D
Chair of the board and our senior scholar, Dr. Basyouni offers a great deal of guidance for our Foundation and is one of the most influential leaders of the da’wah in the west. He is an imam and an active member of multiple Islamic organizations and societies.
BASEM HAMID
An imam, scholar, neurologist, and board member, Dr. Hamid provides invaluable knowledge to our Foundation. He is also the founder of Wasat Institute, which brings together his two passions: healthcare and the beauty of Islam.
SHERIF ZAFRAAN
Dr. Zafraan is an anesthesiologist and the president of the Texas Medical Board, along with memberships with multiple other medical groups. He has a passion for healthcare and helping those in his community.
FARHA AHMED
With over 15 years of experience as a Texas attorney, Farha has focused on representing her clients with compassion, while also involving herself in community efforts in Sugar Land and beyond.
ATHER JAMIL
A senior technologist at day and an artist at night, Ather brings a lot to the table for us. He is a co-founder of the Islamic Arts Society, which aims to build bridges between communities through art.