Recognition · 2025
Top 65 Influential Muslims of New York
New York's Muslim community is one of the most vibrant and civically engaged in the nation.
Top 65 Influential Muslims of New York 2025
This list is NOT in ranking order.
All individuals are listed equally and recognized for their unique contributions to New York’s Muslim community.
New York’s Muslim community is one of the most vibrant and civically engaged in the nation. From elected officials and community organizers to imams, educators, attorneys, and youth leaders, these 65 individuals represent strength, service, and leadership across the state
Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani is a Ugandan-born, Queens-raised organizer and public servant whose rise in New York politics represents a generational shift. Born in Kampala to a family rooted in film, academia, and
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Imam Khalid Latif
Imam Khalid Latif is the Executive Director and Community Chaplain for The Islamic Center of New York City and serves as Director of Campus Support with Muslim Campus Life, a national initiative suppo
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Ali Najmi
Ali Najmi is a distinguished New York-based attorney who has built a formidable reputation in election law, civil rights and criminal defense. With over a decade of experience representing candidates,
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Dr. Debbie Almontaser
Dr. Debbie Almontaser is an internationally recognized educator, entrepreneur, speaker, and expert in cross-cultural understanding. She is the author of Leading While Muslim: The Experiences of Americ
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Lina Khan
Lina Khan is the former Chair of the Federal Trade Commission and one of the most influential public officials shaping how Americans experience today’s major technology and consumer companies. Raised
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Farrah Mozawalla
Farrah Mozawalla is a longtime advocate for marginalized communities, with over 20 years of experience in public service and community engagement. She is the Founder and President of the Asian America
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Dr. Yusef Abdus Salaam
In 1989, at just 15 years old, Dr. Yusef Salaam was wrongfully convicted in the “Central Park jogger” case alongside four other Black and Latino young men. What followed was nearly 13 years of unjust
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Shahriar Rahman
Shahriar Rahman is the Chief Executive Officer of DHCare HomeHealth Inc., where he leads a clear mandate: deliver exceptional, patient-first care that helps New Yorkers heal and thrive at home. He bri
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Mohammad Mohsin Awais
Mohammad Mohsin Awais is the Director of Muslim Affairs at the New York State Attorney General’s Office, where he serves as the top law enforcement representative to the Muslim community of New York S
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Kwani O'Pharrow
Kwani O'Pharrow has an impressive and long-standing record in public service protecting our nation and the great state of New York. He served in the Navy from 1990-1994 as Radioman Petty Officer 3rd C
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Charles D. Falls
Assemblyman Charles D. Fall made history as the first Muslim elected to the New York State Assembly and the first African-American elected to represent Staten Island. Born and raised in Staten Island
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Sara M.Pervez
Sara M. Pervez is a highly respected criminal defense and vehicle and traffic law attorney admitted to practice in New York State, EDNY and SDNY. As the founder of the Law Office of Sara Pervez, she p
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SQ
SQ is a leading Muslim content creator, filmmaker, and digital visionary with over 2 million YouTube subscribers. He is internationally recognized for blending creative storytelling, bold real-world e
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Shahana Hanif
Council Member Shahana Hanif represents New York City’s 39th Council District, which includes Kensington, Borough Park, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill,
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Afaf Nasher
Afaf Nasher currently serves as the Executive Director for the New York Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, “CAIR-NY.” Ms. Nasher obtained her Juris Doctor from St. John’s University
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Isma Chaudhry
A physician by profession, Isma Chaudhry completed her Internal medicine training at the Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center. She is an Associate at the Metropolitan Center for Sleep Medi
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Kashif Hussain
Kashif Hussain is the Deputy Public Advocate for Infrastructure & Environmental Justice in the Office of the NYC Public Advocate, Jumaane D. Williams. With over 25 years of experience, Kashif is a hig
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Adeel Rana
Inspector Adeel Rana is a distinguished officer in the New York Police Department (NYPD), recognized for his groundbreaking achievements and unwavering dedication to public service. Born in Faisalabad
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Dr. Sheikh Faiyaz Jaffer
Dr. Sheikh Faiyaz Jaffer is the Executive Director for the Islamic Center and University Chaplain at New York University. He holds a doctorate in education from NYU, with a focus on the identity devel
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Husein Yatabarry
Husein Yatabarry serves as the Executive Director of the Muslim Community Network (MCN), where he leads citywide efforts in advocacy, civic engagement, and community empowerment. As the first American
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Imam Zameer Sattaur
Imam Zameer Sattaur was born in Guyana, South America, and has been residing in New York, USA for the past 34 years. He is the founder and CEO of Sara International Travel, a leading Hajj and Umrah tr
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Arshad Jamal
Arshad Jamal is the Northeast Regional Director for ICNA Relief, overseeing operations across NE states. He brings with him a diverse and extensive background in engineering, international aviation op
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Ather Tirmizi
Ather Tirmizi is a distinguished community leader and executive with over 12 years of experience driving civic engagement, political advocacy, and social impact across New York and nationally. As Exec
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Hanadi Doleh
Hanadi Doleh has dedicated her career to serving and advocating for New York’s Muslim community and other underrepresented groups. She holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in International Relati
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Adama Bah
Adama Bah, Founder & Executive Director, Afrikana A New York-based immigrant rights advocate and the Founder & Executive Director of Afrikana, a Black-led community organization in Harlem serving new
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Salman Rizwan
Salman Rizwan is a seasoned financial professional with over 15 years of experience in private banking and financial advising. A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a degree in finance,
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Toufique Harun
Toufique is one of the founding organizers of Muslims For Progress, a grassroots civic engagement group focused on strengthening the Muslim voice in the issues affecting all of us. Since 2016, MFP has
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Omar Jamal
Omar M. Jamal, Esq. is the Founder and Principal Attorney of Jamal Law PLLC, a business and personal injury law firm with offices in New York City and Westchester. He is dedicated to advancing justice
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Saadia Z. Yunus
Saadia Z. Yunus is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), EMDR-Certified trauma specialist, and the compassionate founder of True Mind Wellness, a center for excellence in mental health commi
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Mahir S. Nisar
Mahir S. Nisar is the Principal Attorney at Nisar Law Group, P.C., where he represents employees in workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation cases. A dedicated civil rights advocate and s
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Qari Nazrul Islam
Qārī Naẓrul Islām is a dedicated educator, scholar, and community leader, currently serving as the Executive Director of Shelter Rock Islamic Center in New York. He also serves as the Muslim Chaplain
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Nadia M. Pervez Bilal
Nadia M. Pervez Bilal has a passion for social justice and is deeply committed to advocacy and community service. She brings a unique perspective shaped by her diverse personal and professional backgr
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Shahid Khan
He is an activist and volunteer who has been deeply involved in community work for more than four decades. Post- 9/11, he worked tirelessly on interfaith initiatives, organizing open mosque days, “br
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Jibreel W. Sarij
Jibreel built a track record as an entrepreneur and executive. He is the founder and CEO of Acutis Diagnostics, a New York-based bio-diagnostic firm that grew from a Long Island start-up to 250 staff
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Ammad Sheikh
Ammad Sheikh is one of New York’s most impactful community leaders, bridging faith, culture, and public service through visionary initiatives that uplift and unite. As the Co-Founder of The Halal Guide
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Raza Dastgir
Raza Dastgir, Community Leader, Innovator, and Advocate Raza Dastgir is a respected voice in the Muslim American community, known for his visionary leadership and deep commitment to public service. A
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Rafiq Faiz
Rafiq Faiz is a distinguished Mufti and Physician Associate, uniquely combining expertise in Islamic scholarship and psychiatry. He graduated from Madinah, Saudi Arabia, where he studied Quranic exege
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Ali Rashid
Ali Rashid is the paragon of a model citizen, ambitious, hard-working, and deeply empathetic. He is the Founder and President of the American Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG) and the CEO of Kingsland Pr
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Dr. Hasib Mikael Sarij
Dr. Hasib Mikael Sarij, M.D. is a physician specializing in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, where he combines advanced neuromuscular treatments, regenerative biologics, and aesthetic medicine to
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Zahid Syed
Zahid Syed is an outstanding, well-respected community and former union leader who for the past 30 years, has been actively involved in civic, community, political, labor and human rights issues. Curr
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Sabbir Ahmed
With nearly two decades of experience, Sabbir Ahmed stands as a pillar in New York's real estate community. As a licensed real estate broker and the founder of Elite Synergy Realty, he has orchestrate
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Mamadou Siré Bah
Mamadou Siré Bah was appointed as the Director of Muslim American Affairs at the New York State Executive Chamber in June of 2024. In this role, Mamadou has built relationships on behalf of Governor K
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Imam Wesley
Imam Wesley Lebrón, raised in Passaic, NJ with Puerto Rican heritage, embraced Islam in 1998, beginning a transformative path of faith and service. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Studi
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Carrell Ali Lasso Paz
Carrell Ali Lasso Paz, born in Santiago de Cali, Colombia, is the oldest of five children raised in a culturally rich Muslim household. Influenced by his parents, he learned English early and picked u
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Imam Ahmed Ali
Imam Ahmed Ali Uzir is currently serving in the New York City government as the first-ever Pakistani Muslim Commissioner on the New York City Commission of Racial Equity. He is a dedicated professiona
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Lena Maasarani
Lena Maasarani, born in New York City and currently residing in Brooklyn, has dedicated 19 years to nonprofit and humanitarian work, beginning her journey straight out of high school. She earned a deg
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Rana AbdelHamid
Rana Abdelhamid is a Queens-born organizer, self-defense instructor, and community builder who has spent nearly two decades advocating for the safety, dignity, and empowerment of women and immigrant c
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Ali Mushtaq
Ali Mushtaq is a dedicated law enforcement professional whose work exemplifies leadership, service, and community impact. With over five years at the Port Authority Police Department of New York and N
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Dr. Sara Siddiqui
Dr. Sara Siddiqui is extremely thankful to be nominated to be included in the Top 100 MuslimNew Yorkers by the American Muslim Network. Dr. Siddiqui is a board-certified pediatrician withover 25 years
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Yamina Kezadri
Yamina Kezadri is a dynamic public health leader and nonprofit founder committed to advancing equity, food justice, and culturally responsive care for underserved communities across New York City. Wit
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Sadiqur Rahman
Sadiqur Rahman is the co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of Exquisite Ventures, a Long Island based private equity real estate investment firm established in 2017. From the outset, Sadiq has focus
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Mohamed Bahi
Mohamed Bahi is a Brooklyn-based humanitarian and community organizer whose work has reshaped Muslim-led service in New York City and beyond. As the founder of Muslims Giving Back (MGB), Bahi built on
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Wazma Wardak Hassan
As the Founder and CEO of Afghan Americans of New York (AANY), she has dedicated her work to uplifting and empowering the Afghan community across New York State. AANY was established to give Afghan Am
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Sadri Altinok
Founding member and President of the Turkish Cultural Center New York (TCCNY), Sadri has spent decades building bridges between communities through interfaith and intercultural dialogue. A Mechanical
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Shaniyat Turani
Shaniyat Turani is an independent journalist dedicated to uncovering the stories of how colonialism, war, and climate change shape the lives of indigenous communities worldwide. His reporting cuts thr
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Fahd Ahmed
Fahd Ahmed immigrated from Pakistan as an undocumented, working-class young man and became active with DRUM, Desis Rising Up & Moving in 2000 after his own family members faced deportation and were t
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Azra Dhar
Azra Dhar is a respected Pakistani-American community leader and human rights advocate, serving as a Commissioner on the Nassau County Human Rights Commission and as President of PACOLI (Pakistani Ame
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Shamsul Haque
Shamsul Haque is a retired NYPD Lieutenant Commander, the current Chairman of the New York City School Pupil Transportation Advisory Commission, and a member of Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s Community
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Mufti Mohammad Farhan
Mufti Mohammad Farhan is a New York-raised Islamic scholar and community leader with over two decades of service to faith and youth development. He completed more than eight years of advanced Islamic
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Dr. Malik Nadeem Abid
Dr. Malik Nadeem Abid is a seasoned diplomat and global human rights defender with over 30 years of service in peacebuilding, community empowerment, legal and immigration advocacy, healthcare educatio
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Mohammad Razvi
Mohammad Razvi is the Founder and CEO of the Council of Peoples Organization (COPO) in Brooklyn, New York, and a pioneering leader in Muslim and South Asian community advocacy since the aftermath of 9
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Muhammad Shahidullah
Muhammad Shahidullah is a respected peace ambassador, first responder, chaplain, trained imam, and multifaith scholar dedicated to public service and community leadership. He holds a Master’s degree i
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Mohammad Liajul Hassan
Mohammad Liajul Hassan is an administrator of MusCare, a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and community platform dedicated to supporting families in need locally and globally. What began as a grassr
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Hamza Khamisa
Hamza is the owner of Legacy Estate, a real estate brokerage with over 11 years of experience, known for serving clients with integrity and care. He credits his parents for raising him to be a good Mu
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Iqra Tanveer
Iqra Tanveer is a nonprofit executive and humanitarian leader dedicated to advancing community-centered solutions at both the local and global levels. She is the Co-founder of MusCare, where she leads
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