Dawud Walid
Dawud Walid, who is currently the Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Michigan (CAIR-MI), is an educator, community activist and decorated veteran who has been active in the Detroit Metropolitan area for years.
Currently, he also serves as the Assistant Imam of Masjid Wali Muhammad in Detroit, Michigan, a member of the North American Imams Federation (NAIF), and an executive board member of the Metropolitan Interfaith Workers Rights Committee.
He has lectured across the country at several mosques and universities including Harvard University, the University of the Virgin Islands and Youngstown State University. He also has had numerous articles on Islam and Interfaith dialogue published as well as appearing in major media outlets such as CNN, Al-Jazeera, the New York Times, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, and the BBC.
Other past leadership positions, which he has held in the community include Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for Al-Ikhlas Training Academy, a pre-K – 12th grade private Islamic school in Detroit, Chairperson of Religious Studies for The American Society of Muslims' National Young Adult Association, and Congregational Organizer for The Interfaith Partners wing of The National Conference for Community and Justice – Detroit now known as the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion.
He also served in the United States Navy for four years receiving two Navy & Marine Corp Achievement Medals for his work under the Administrative Officer and the Command Judge
Advocate of his unit.
Raheem Hanifa
Raheem Hanifa is the Outreach Coordinator for CAIR-MI. He is responsible for the PITFA workshop (Presenting Islam to Fellow Americans), Communications (Email newsletters and website), Outreach, and Volunteer/Intern Coordination. Raheem graduated with a B.A. in pre-law/political science and sociology from Michigan State University and has experience working on political and social grassroots campaigns.
As a campaign organizer and Michigan House of Representatives intern, Raheem brings extensive advocacy, political, and communications skills to CAIR-MI. He has worked as an assistant director for political and social grassroots campaigns across the country. Raheem has run campaign offices in Nevada, New Hampshire, and throughout Michigan. As an intern for the Michigan House of Representatives, Raheem worked in different areas pertaining to media and communications. He assisted with press releases, television broadcasting, and research.
Raheem Hanifa is dedicated to social justice and activism; he recognizes the need to not only bridge the gap between all Americans and American Muslims, but also among American Muslims of different communities. He plans to enter law school and further his pursuit of social justice.
Lena Masri
Lena Masri is an attorney with a focus on International & Comparative Law and International Human Rights Law. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Near Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan.
Ms. Masri holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Indiana University - Indianapolis, School of Law, where she received the Norman Lefstein Award of Excellence as a Gold Level Participant in the Pro Bono program. In 2008, Ms. Masri principally authored and presented a shadow report before the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) in Geneva, Switzerland, and was selected to deliver a speech before the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism. Ms. Masri has worked for the Center for Justice & Accountability in San Francisco, California; Akeel & Valentine, PLC, in Birmingham, Michigan; and the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac, Michigan. Ms. Masri speaks Arabic, Spanish, and some Hebrew.
