Shia Muslim Foundation Praises Dr Sayed Razawi's Meeting with Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados

[December 7, 2023] - The Shia Muslim Foundation is proud to announce news of a meeting of Dr Sayed Razawi and Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, amongst other notable individuals.

Dr Razawi, serving on Oxfam's Zakat board, had the opportunity to engage with Prime Minister Mottley. The conversation, led by the Prime Minister, focused on vital topics such as ethics, morality, and the challenges of xenophobia and colonialism's legacy.

This encounter provided a valuable platform for understanding and sharing perspectives.

Dr Razawi's presence at this event exemplifies the Shia Muslim community's commitment to global dialogue and understanding.

SMF extends our deepest appreciation to Prime Minister Mia Mottley for her willingness to engage in these critical conversations and to Dr Razawi for representing the principles of the Shia Muslim community with such distinction.

The Shia Muslim Foundation continues to support and encourage such engagements as part of our mission to promote peace, understanding, and shared ethical foundations across the globe.

About Dr Sayed Razawi

Dr Sayed Razawi is a respected Scottish Shia scholar, renowned for his commitment to addressing contemporary issues through the lens of morality and ethics. His work, particularly in the realms of interfaith dialogue and social justice, has been pivotal in fostering understanding across different cultures and beliefs.

SMF Attends National Muslim American Leaders Convening at the U.S. Department of Commerce

November 14, 2023 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF) participated in the groundbreaking National Muslim American Leaders Convening at the United States Department of Commerce in Washington D.C. This historic event, attended by numerous Shia organizations including Shia Rights Watch and representatives from various Shia mosques across the US, marked a significant stride towards empowering the Muslim American community.

The convening featured a lineup of distinguished American Muslim speakers such as Small Business Administration's Dilawar Syed, Farooq Mitha, Director of the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), and Fayrouz Saad, Director of Public Engagement for the CHIPS Program at the Department of Commerce. Their insights and experiences added substantial value to the discussions and workshops.

The event's primary objective was to empower the Muslim American community by sharing crucial resources and knowledge. Workshops covered a wide array of topics vital for community growth and development, including entrepreneurship, acquisitions, federal procurement, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) implementation, business development, data & innovation, climate resilience, equity, and anti-hate community organizing.

SMF's participation underscores its commitment to fostering growth and resilience within the Shia Muslim community in America. By engaging in this platform, SMF aims to bring back invaluable knowledge and resources to help bolster community initiatives and projects.

"This convening is a testament to the strides our community is making in key areas of development and civic engagement," said a spokesperson for SMF. "We are honored to be part of this dialogue and look forward to implementing these insights within our community."

The Shia Muslim Foundation continues to be at the forefront of advocating for and supporting the needs and interests of the Shia Muslim community in the United States.

SMF Attends Department of Justice forum on the rise of hate crimes

(WASHINGTON DC - November 1, 2023) Today, Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF) the participated in an event titled "Uniting Against Hate: Connecting Community Voices & Strengthening Law Enforcement Partnerships," a Department of Justice Forum aimed at combating hate-motivated violence and incidents. Key speakers at the event were Attorney General Merrick B. Garland; Kristen M. Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights; and Nadia Aziz, Senior Program Director at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. The event brought together key figures from law enforcement, government, and various communities to deliberate on effective strategies for combating hate crimes and fostering stronger community-law enforcement relationships.

The forum was part of the DOJ's United Against Hate initiative, launched in September 2022 by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, aiming to extend across every U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) within a year. The program's primary goals include increasing community understanding and reporting of hate crimes, building trust between communities and law enforcement, and forging stronger alliances to prevent and combat hate crimes.

Attorney General Garland highlighted the recent increase in threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities in the U.S. He emphasized the DOJ's commitment to combating these threats and building strong partnerships with communities to prevent hate crimes. This commitment aligns with the DOJ's foundational purpose of protecting civil rights and combating violence fueled by hate.

Assistant Attorney General Clarke addressed the alarming rise in hate crimes, particularly those targeting Black individuals and religious groups, including Muslims. She presented data showing that hate crimes are at their highest level in over a decade, with a significant increase in anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents.

Nadia Aziz acknowledged the DOJ's efforts in countering hate and stressed the importance of continued engagement and action to address these challenges. She emphasized the critical role of community outreach and education in combating hate-motivated violence.

Dena King, from one of the United States Attorneys' offices, discussed the United Against Hate program's success in its pilot phase and its expansion to more offices. The program's focus on education, trust-building, and partnership enhancement between law enforcement and communities, particularly marginalized groups, was highlighted.

The event underscored the DOJ's commitment to protecting all Americans from hate-fueled violence, the urgency of addressing the rise in such crimes, and the essential role of community-law enforcement partnerships in this effort. It reiterated the need for united efforts and strong alliances to ensure the safety and rights of all, particularly those in the American Muslim community and other vulnerable groups.