The External Liaison Desk of the World Federation sponsored its first ever internship program in America's capital, Washington D.C. Several students from across the USA participated and worked at various influential policy making places like the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and with members of the congress.
Through its Washington DC representative, Zahir Janmohamed, the World Federation offered its assistance in finding internship position, securing private funding for their internships, and in arranging housing. Shia interns met periodically through the summer for Dua Kumayl and to discuss the current state of Muslims in the United States.
According to Janmohamed, the program is an attempt to increase the profile, the voice, and the awareness of our community and the Muslim community at large. He had the following to say, “Given the increased number of hate incidents committed against Muslims, it is imperative that we prepare the youth in our community to engage in civil society at every level--professionally, socially, and yes, politically. This internship program is the first step in asserting our collective voices and in presenting our concerns to policy makers. It serves to empower our youth to aspire for careers that will impact society at large”.
Mohamed Sabur was one of the students who participated in this program and narrates his experience.
By the grace of Allah (S.W.T.), for eleven weeks this summer I had the opportunity to intern with America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). As an American Muslim and college undergraduate student majoring in political science, this experience allowed me to see the intricacies and nuances of both working in a field constantly affected by governmental policies as well as working with an organization whose purpose is to present an Islamic perspective on issues of importance to the American public. During my internship I was able to work on various projects in the fields of legal affairs, governmental relations, civil rights, research, information technology, and membership. From day one of my time at CAIR, it was made clear that the organization is committed to an open workplace, free of discrimination against anyone, whether he or she adhere to certain Islamic beliefs or even adhere to another religion.
Furthermore, my background with the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community allowed me to uniquely contribute to projects such as the organization’s North American Muslim Resource Guide and a statement CAIR issued on the August fighting near the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf. As part of the internship program, I was also able to visit D.C.-area news agencies such as CNN, Al-Jazeera, and National Public Radio, attend a Senate 9/11 Commission Report hearing, and meet with influential figures such as Dr. Imad Moustapha, Syria's ambassador to the United States. Also, being in Washington, D.C., during the summer internship season gave me the opportunity to meet Muslims from across the nation who share similar values and visions of empowering the American Muslim community for years to come. CAIR’s internship program runs year-round and I encourage my fellow students and youth to apply at http://www.cair-net.org