SMF Commends SPACE’s “Shia Intern Connect” for Empowering and Uniting Shia Youth Across North America

Washington, D.C. – The Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF) is proud to commend SPACE (Shia Professional Academic Conference & Empowerment) for its launch of the Shia Intern Connect initiative—an innovative, youth-driven program designed to foster mentorship, professional support, and community ties among Shia Muslim students and interns across North America.

Launched in Summer 2025, Shia Intern Connect offers a straightforward but powerful tool: connecting Shia Muslim interns through regional group chats. These informal spaces allow students to meet, share advice, build relationships, and navigate their summer internships together. Whether interns are in government, tech, nonprofit, academia, or corporate settings, the program provides a low-barrier, high-impact method for creating meaningful connections and addressing the often-isolating nature of being a visible Muslim in professional spaces.

This effort reflects a broader mission led by SPACE: to create structured, intentional space for Shia Muslim youth to learn, network, express creativity, and prepare for impactful futures. The organization was established by young Shia professionals to fill long-standing gaps in mentorship, career preparation, and identity-affirming spaces. Through annual conferences, themed workshops, creative programming, and grassroots initiatives like Shia Intern Connect, SPACE has quickly become one of the most significant youth-led Shia platforms in the West.

“We deeply respect what SPACE is building,” said Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation. “Programs like Shia Intern Connect don’t just support young people—they help rewire our community’s future. They give Shia youth tools, relationships, and encouragement to step forward, lead, and shape the institutions around them. SMF stands behind this effort fully.”

In addition to Intern Connect, SPACE has previously held successful conferences in Los Angeles and Vancouver, bringing together hundreds of attendees, dozens of mentors, speakers, and workshop leaders to explore everything from Islamic identity in the arts to navigating law school or launching a startup. Their focus areas—Education, Creativity, and Professionalism—reflect a strategic understanding of the challenges facing today’s Shia youth.

SMF views this kind of work as essential to the broader goals of civic engagement and religious identity. As an organization that advocates for the rights and representation of Shia Muslims, both domestically and globally, SMF believes that empowering the next generation of leaders is a long-term investment in the strength and future of the American Shia community.

“This is about more than networking,” Husain added. “It’s about transforming how we see each other—students seeing themselves as professionals, as capable, as part of something larger. That’s the real power of what SPACE is doing.”

SMF encourages students and young professionals to take advantage of the Shia Intern Connect program by visiting bit.ly/ShiaInternsConnect and urges community leaders and institutions to partner with and support SPACE’s ongoing work.

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About the Shia Muslim Foundation

The Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF) is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., committed to advancing the civil, political, and religious rights of Shia Muslims in the United States and internationally. Through policy advocacy, civic engagement, educational programs, and community support initiatives, SMF seeks to elevate the visibility, dignity, and leadership of the Shia community.

About SPACE

SPACE (Shia Professional Academic Conference & Empowerment) is a youth-led organization that creates platforms for Shia Muslim youth to learn, network, express creativity, and grow professionally. It caters to the educational, creative, and career development needs of Shia students and early-career professionals in the West, with a focus on mentorship, leadership, and identity-centered engagement.

Understanding Eid al-Adha: A Day of Faith, Sacrifice, and Reflection

Eid ul Adha is an important Islamic holiday, celebrated by more than a billion Muslims around the world.

6.4.2025 Eid Letter for School.pdf

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On Friday, June 6, 2025, millions of Muslims across the country and around the world will observe Eid al-Adha, known as the “Festival of Sacrifice.” It is one of the two major holidays in Islam, and it carries deep spiritual meaning—centered on faith, obedience to God, and service to others.

The Story Behind the Day

Eid al-Adha honors the moment when the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic), was commanded by God to sacrifice his son. As he prepared to carry out the command, God stopped him and provided a ram to be sacrificed instead.

This story may sound familiar. It appears in the Bible (Genesis 22) and is recognized in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In all three faiths, Abraham’s willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice is seen as a powerful act of devotion, trust, and moral courage.

In the Islamic tradition, the story is told in the Qur’an:

“When they had both submitted and he had laid him face down, We called out, ‘O Abraham, you have fulfilled the vision.’ Indeed, this is how We reward those who do good.”— Qur’an 37:103–105

The message is clear: it was not the act of sacrifice itself that mattered, but the sincerity, faith, and obedience behind it.

What Happens on Eid

Muslim families begin the day with a special congregational prayer in the morning. The rest of the day is spent visiting family and friends, sharing meals, giving to charity, and reflecting on personal growth. Those who are financially able also arrange to sacrifice an animal (usually a sheep, goat, or cow), with a portion of the meat distributed to those in need.

This act is symbolic. As the Qur’an explains:

“It is not their meat or blood that reaches God, but your piety.” — Qur’an 22:37

The sacrifice represents a willingness to give up what is important in service of something greater. It is also an opportunity to provide food for the poor, fulfill a spiritual obligation, and cultivate humility and gratitude.

A Broader Message

Eid al-Adha is about more than ritual. It’s about the internal sacrifice of ego, selfishness, and attachment to worldly things. It’s about reflecting on what we would be willing to give up for what is right, and what we are doing to help others.

The values behind Eid—faith, discipline, generosity, and compassion—are shared across traditions. Just as Jewish and Christian communities reflect on Abraham’s devotion, Muslims also look to this story as a moment to reconnect with their purpose and with their Creator.

Many Muslims also take time on Eid to remember the sacrifices made by religious and moral leaders throughout history who stood for justice, truth, and righteousness.

The Deeper Meaning of Sacrifice: A Legacy of Moral Courage

While Eid al-Adha honors the story of Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, its message continues through later figures in Islamic history who embodied the same principles of selflessness and moral conviction.

One of the most respected figures in this tradition is Husain ibn Ali, also known as "Imam Husain," the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. He is remembered for his unwavering stand against political corruption and injustice in the 7th century. Faced with demands to support an oppressive regime, Imam Husain chose to risk everything rather than compromise his principles. He was ultimately killed, along with his family members and companions, in what is now modern-day Iraq.

His story is not just one of tragedy, but of profound moral strength. Like Abraham, Imam Husain was willing to give up everything in the name of truth and justice. For many Muslims, his legacy serves as a living continuation of the lessons behind Eid al-Adha: that true faith is shown not by words, but by difficult choices and sacrifices made in the face of wrongdoing.

In remembering both Prophet Abraham and Imam Husain, the holiday becomes more than a ritual—it becomes a call to live with integrity, even when it costs something.

What to Expect

On June 6, families may take the day off from work or school. Local mosques will host prayers, and many communities will organize charitable drives or Eid meals. Just like Christmas or Yom Kippur, it’s a day of both solemn meaning and joyful community celebration.

If a Muslim friend or colleague is observing the holiday, a simple “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) is a kind and welcome greeting.

Shia Muslim Public Servant Shahan Rizvi Receives Maryland Comptroller’s AAPI Heritage Month Public Service Award

Washington, DC – The Shia Muslim Foundation proudly congratulates Shahan Rizvi, a prominent Shia Muslim public servant and community leader, on receiving the 2025 AAPI Heritage Month Public Service Award from the Office of the Comptroller of Maryland.

The award was presented by Maryland State Comptroller Brooke Lierman as part of the Comptroller’s inaugural AAPI Heritage Month recognition ceremony. This award honors Asian American and Pacific Islander Marylanders who have demonstrated exceptional service, leadership, and advocacy on behalf of their communities. Recipients are recognized for creating sustainable civic impact, building stronger communities, and contributing to the social and political fabric of the state.

Rizvi, a longtime advocate for civic engagement, has served as Chair of the Howard County Democratic Central Committee, President of the Howard County Muslim Council, and a board member of the United Maryland Muslim Council. His work focuses on increasing political participation among minority communities, advancing interfaith understanding, and promoting equitable representation in public institutions.

In his public remarks, Rizvi thanked Comptroller Lierman for presenting the award and acknowledged his close friend McNeal Brown for nominating him. He affirmed his continued commitment to public service and to building a stronger Maryland for all.

“Shahan Rizvi’s service embodies the values of justice, compassion, and integrity that are central to the Shia Muslim faith,” said Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation. “His recognition by the State of Maryland highlights the growing contributions of American Shia Muslims in civic and political life. We are quite proud of him."

The Shia Muslim Foundation commends Rizvi’s achievements and encourages further inclusion of diverse Muslim voices in leadership roles across the country.