Staff

Remziya Suleyman, Director of Policy & Administration:

Remziya is a native of Kurdistan who came with her family to the US in 1991. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration and certificate in Nonprofit Management from Tennessee State University. She is known for her political activism on immigration issues, interfaith organizing, and her work in the Kurdish community to raise awareness on the Kurdish genocide. She has spoken to diverse audiences on Kurdistan and its people, her own experience as a refugee and a Muslim woman, and on life in her community after September 11. Nashville Public Television featured her story in the award-winning documentary Little Kurdistan USA as part of the Next Door Neighbors series produced. She was recognized as one of the Nashville Scene’s “Nashvillians of the Year” for her work in Nashville’s immigrant communities in response to the historic flood of 2010, and her organizing and advocacy was highlighted in the recent New York Times article “The 9/11 Decade: Young Muslims Coming of Age.” As the former Policy Coordinator for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Remziya led a successful effort to mobilize Muslim leaders throughout the state against what could have become the most extreme anti-Muslim legislation in the country. In recognition of her exemplary work in her community and the field of human rights she was awarded as a 2011 Rising Advocate Honoree for the Tennessee Human Rights Day Celebration. In 2012, she was also voted one of the top inspirational Muslim women in the United States by MBMuslima’s 40 under 40 a leading Muslim magazine that highlights 40 Muslim activist under the age of 40. Recently, she was named one of “13 TN Newsmakers to Watch in 2013″ by the Tennessean,  ”13 Progressive Faith Leaders to Watch in 2013″ by the Center for American Progress and highlighted by the Nashville Scene in their 2013 People Issue. 

Jihan Abdulla, Administrative Assistant:

Jihan Abdulla was born in the Kurdish region of Merdin Turkey. Her family immigrated to the US in 1992. She recently graduated from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) where she obtained a BS in International Relations and a double minor in Middle East studies as well as Health. She has taken an active role in the community with a range of issues. Ms. Abdulla is currently serves as an active board member of Muslim Youth Navigating Tennessee, and Kurdish Women for Better Health. Over the past few years she served on numerous boards  including Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), Nashville Association of Muslim Youth, American Muslims of Nashville, Muslims Student Association of MTSU, and the Kurdish Student Association of MTSU. Ms. Abdulla has also been involved in numerous volunteer activities such as Interfaith work, Freedom of Religion demonstrations, Kurdish Genocide  rallies, TIRRC conventions & Youth Summits, community mobilization against the Anti-Sharia legislation & English only initiative. Because of her extraordinary achievements as a youth leader she has been featured in numerous media outlets depicting her life as an active Muslim youth in Tennessee, and the struggles she faced as a refugee in America.

Board of Directors

Danish Siddiqui, Chairman

Kasar Abdulla, Director

Soyab Malani, Treasurer

Sehrish Siddiqui, Secretary

Nadeem Siddiqi, Director