In this episode of The Muslim Non-Profit Show, Brother Nihad Awad, co-founder of CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations), shares the incredible journey from a small campus initiative in 1994 to the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization.

He reveals the challenges of confronting media bias, the importance of recruiting and training the right talent, and how CAIR grew to over 30 chapters across the U.S. — all while staying true to its mission and values.

From lessons in leadership and organizational structure to powerful personal stories rooted in faith, this conversation is a masterclass in building a lasting movement.

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🔗 Connect with Brother Nihad Awad:
Website: https://www.cair.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nihad-awad-24055329/

00:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome
01:12 – The Inspiration Behind Starting CAIR in 1994
04:35 – Early Efforts to Challenge Misrepresentation of Muslims
07:20 – Training the Community in Media Relations
10:15 – Scaling from Local Activism to a National Organization
12:48 – The Formula: Experts + Activists = Change
15:05 – Building Infrastructure & CAIR’s Franchise Model
18:50 – Leadership Lessons from the Seerah
21:30 – Advice for Young Muslim Professionals and Students
24:10 – Closing Reflections & Gratitude

Conversations like these remind us of the power of vision, strategy, and faith. May Allah bless our efforts to serve, protect, and uplift the community. If you found this episode inspiring, please share it with others so the message can reach more hearts and minds.

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