What does it really mean to be civically engaged as an American Muslim?

In this powerful conversation, Tayyab Yunus sits down with Junaid Ahmed, entrepreneur, community organizer, and congressional candidate from Illinois, to unpack how everyday people can move from community service to systemic change.

Junaid shares the personal experiences that pushed him to run for U.S. Congress, from student debt and healthcare costs to grassroots organizing and voter turnout. This episode breaks down why voting, especially in primaries, matters, how civic participation goes far beyond running for office, and why American Muslims already have the skills needed to lead. If you have ever wondered how to make a real difference without burning out, this conversation is for you.

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📌Connect and Follow Junaid Ahmed
Website: https://junaidforus.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/junaidforus/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JunaidForUs/

00:00 Introduction and welcome
01:45 Junaid Ahmed's background and community roots
04:10 What sparked the decision to run for Congress
07:20 Student debt and healthcare as wake up calls
10:30 From relief work to civic engagement
13:40 Why volunteering alone is not enough
16:10 The importance of grassroots involvement
18:45 Why voting, especially primaries, matters
21:30 Barriers to Muslim voter participation
24:10 Advice for getting civically engaged without burnout
26:20 Final reflections and call to action

📣 If this conversation resonated with you, share it with your community, register to vote, and commit at least one hour a week to civic engagement. Change does not happen overnight, but it starts when we show up.

#CivicEngagement #AmericanMuslims #MuslimsInPolitics #VoteLocal #PrimaryElections #CommunityLeadership #FaithAndService #PoliticalAwareness #JunaidAhmed