UMMAH NY Assembly Dinner Convenes Muslim Leaders and Partner Organizations for discussion on Advancing Masjid Capacity, Security, and Community Collaboration

USANewsOnline.Com Desk, New York — More than 50 imams, board members, nonprofit leaders, and community representatives convened Saturday at the Thikana Community Hub for a UMMAH NY leadership forum focused on strengthening New York’s mosques through education, strategic partnerships, and shared resources.
The program opened with a presentation by Dr. Sayeed Islam, an associate professor of industrial-organizational psychology at Farmingdale State College. He presented findings from UMMAH NY’s recently completed New York masjid survey. The discussion highlighted emerging trends affecting local mosques and generated calls from attendees to expand data-driven planning and similar assessments across additional Muslim communities.

Mubinur Rahman, a nonprofit human resources executive, provided an overview of grant opportunities available to faith-based organizations and practical guidance on preparing competitive grant applications.

Leaders from the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) traveled from Washington, D.C., to deliver a in-depth presentation on mosque security, public policy engagement, and the national landscape of anti-Muslim hate. The delegation—led by Haris Tarin, Vice President of Policy and Programming, Khuram Zaman, Founding Director of the Center for the Study and Transformation of Policy (CSTP), and Sameer Hossain, Managing Director of MPAC’s Washington office
—outlined available security resources and partnership opportunities for New York mosques. Presenters noted that New York continues to experience one of the nation’s highest levels of reported anti-Muslim incidents and encouraged organizations to strengthen preparedness through collaboration, resource utilization and advocacy. There were statistics and resources that masjid leaders benefitted from and MPAC noted they will continue to support Muslim organizations through Policy Advocacy and commended UMMAH NY on the diverse gathering of leaders and bringing to them beneficial content.

UMMAH NY’s Liajul Hassan and Wacef Chowdhury provided an update on the organization’s continued growth and mission and highlighted UMMAH NY’s growing portfolio of community resources developed by the organization and its partners. These initiatives include pilot “Protecting Children and Imams” workshops led by mental health professionals, pro bono CPA-led financial audit support for mosques, satellite youth director initiatives, volunteer media guidance, and policy advocacy resources available to the New York masjids.
The forum featured extensive audience engagement and thoughtful questions at each session, with attendees expressing interest in continued collaboration beyond the event. Amidst the content filled programming, participants also observed Asr and Maghrib prayers together, enjoyed a game of Halal Bingo designed to help participants know each other more before concluding the evening with a networking dinner.
UMMAH NY recognized the organizing team Fawzia Rahman, Ishan Fairuz, Mushreka Orin, the speakers, and thanked Thikana Community Hub for the event space. Representatives from numerous organizations attended, including MAS, BSP, Elhaam Academy, MPAC, An-Noor Center, Abu Huraira Masjid, Tawfeeq.org, Zakiganj Society of USA, Masjid Al Iman, As Siraatal Mustaqeem Islamic Center, Centre of Excellence, Elmhurst Islamic Center, Elhaam Academy, Siraat Foundation, Halal Food Connections, Muslim Center of New York, and other mosques and community organizations from across the region.

The forum is part of UMMAH NY’s ongoing effort to strengthen collaboration among Muslim institutions by connecting community leaders with practical expertise, research, and resources that support sustainable organizational development and community service. Press Release