SMF and Idara-e-Jaferia to Host Community Forum on Immigration Policy and International Travel

Washington, D.C. — The Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF), in partnership with Idara-e-Jaferia, is proud to announce a timely public event titled “Recent Changes in Immigration Policy and International Travel.” The forum will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Idara-e-Jaferia, located at 3140 Spencerville Road, Burtonsville, Maryland.

This event will feature expert insights from leading voices in law, policy, and advocacy:

• Abed Ayoub, Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)

• Farooq Mitha, Emgage

• Mohammad Ali Syed, Offit Kurman Law Firm

Attendees will gain a better understanding of recent developments in U.S. immigration policy, changes in visa and travel regulations, and how these shifts are impacting American Muslim communities—particularly those with family, business, or religious ties abroad.

In recent years, shifting immigration laws and international travel restrictions have had a direct effect on Muslim communities across the United States. From evolving visa procedures to increased scrutiny at ports of entry, many American Muslims have faced uncertainty and stress when traveling or sponsoring family members abroad. This forum aims to address those concerns by providing accurate, practical guidance from professionals with deep experience in immigration law and policy advocacy.

The event also reflects a broader commitment by the Shia Muslim Foundation and Idara-e-Jaferia to promote civic awareness and empower Muslim communities with knowledge. As debates over national security, migration, and border control continue to shape federal policy, it is essential for American Muslims to stay informed and engaged. This event offers a platform for community members to ask questions, share concerns, and build connections with leaders who are actively working to protect civil rights and promote justice.

“Immigration and international travel are issues of deep relevance to American Muslims,” said Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation. “Many in our community maintain strong connections across borders, and evolving policies can create legal, logistical, and emotional challenges. This forum will help individuals better understand their rights and responsibilities, and prepare for travel or immigration-related planning.”

SMF encourages broad attendance from across the DMV region and beyond. The event is free and open to the public, and dinner will be served.

Event Details:

Topic: Recent Changes in Immigration Policy and International Travel

Date: Friday, April 25, 2025

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Idara-e-Jaferia, 3140 Spencerville Rd, Burtonsville, MD 20866

Hosted by: Idara-e-Jaferia in collaboration with the Shia Muslim Foundation

SMF Condemns Vandalism and Anti-Muslim Graffiti at NYU Prayer Space

Washington, D.C. – April 4, 2025 — The Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF) strongly condemns the recent act of hate at New York University’s Bobst Library, where a student discovered targeted vandalism and anti-Muslim graffiti in a designated Muslim prayer space.

This incident is not an isolated expression of bigotry—it is part of a growing wave of anti-Muslim sentiment that threatens the safety and dignity of Muslim communities across the country. Acts like this are not just offensive; they are deliberate efforts to intimidate, marginalize, and silence Muslim students and their right to exist and worship freely.

The desecration of a prayer space is an attack on religious freedom and an assault on the values this nation claims to uphold. This act must be treated with the seriousness it warrants. We urge local, state, and federal authorities to immediately open a hate crimes investigation and hold the perpetrator(s) accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

The Shia Muslim Foundation stands in full solidarity with the Islamic Center at NYU and the Muslim student community. No student should be made to feel unsafe for practicing their faith. We support all efforts by NYU and the broader academic community to create an environment where bigotry is not tolerated, and those responsible for hate are met with justice, not silence.

We call on university administrations, elected officials, and civil society to speak out unequivocally against this act and take concrete steps to combat anti-Muslim hate.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore Hosts State's First-Ever Official Eid ul-Fitr Celebration

Annapolis, MD – April 4, 2025 – In a historic first for the state, Governor Wes Moore welcomed Maryland’s Muslim community to the Governor’s Mansion for an official Eid ul-Fitr celebration. The event marked the first time a sitting Maryland governor has formally recognized the holiday in this manner, signaling a new era of civic inclusion for the state’s Muslim residents.

The gathering brought together Muslim leaders, community members, and civic advocates from across Maryland and the broader region. Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF), attended the event alongside other prominent community figures.

Governor Moore reflected on the broader meaning of the event in his remarks. He acknowledged that Muslims in Maryland continue to shape the state’s identity, character, and future, and described their presence at the Governor’s Mansion as long overdue. He emphasized that the Mansion is meant to be a home for all the people of Maryland, and that it felt incomplete until this gathering.

“This event was more than symbolic,” said Rahat Husain. “It was a recognition that Muslims belong fully in the civic and political spaces of this state. We often talk about representation and visibility—this was both, and it came with sincerity and openness from the state’s highest office.”

Husain added that for many Muslims in Maryland, particularly those from immigrant and minority backgrounds, such recognition carries weight. “When state leadership makes the effort to engage our communities during our sacred celebrations, it shows respect. It tells younger generations that they are not outsiders.”

The Shia Muslim Foundation, based in Washington, D.C., advocates for the civil rights of American Shia Muslims and works to address pressing social and political challenges affecting Muslim communities domestically and internationally. The Foundation has long called for deeper civic engagement with underrepresented Muslim communities, including Shia Muslims, who often face distinct challenges within the broader American Muslim experience.

SMF views Governor Moore’s leadership as a promising sign of progress. “We hope this is the beginning of an ongoing dialogue between Maryland’s government and its Muslim residents,” Husain said. “The state’s diversity is one of its strengths—and last night, that was made visible.”

For media inquiries, contact:

Farhana Kassamali

Press Contact, Shia Muslim Foundation

farhana@shiamuslimfoundation.com