
Who We Are
Shia Muslim Foundation
Shia Muslim Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was founded in 2020. The main work of the Shia Muslim Foundation is to support the civic rights of American Shia Muslims, and to advocate on social and political issues.
Our Staff
Rahat Husain – Executive Director
Rahat Husain is the Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF), bringing over 15 years of dedicated advocacy experience on behalf of Shia Muslim communities. Throughout his career, Mr. Husain has engaged with key stakeholders, including the White House, Congress, Senators, federal agencies, think tanks, NGOs, policy institutes, and academic experts to advance the rights and visibility of Shia Muslims.
In 2015, Mr. Husain had a private meeting at the White House with President Barack Obama to address the urgent issue of Shia genocide. A year earlier, in 2014, he was the sole American Shia Muslim participant at the US-Islam World Forum, a distinguished event uniting leaders from politics, business, media, academia, and civil society across the Islamic world and the United States.
Mr. Husain is also a respected journalist and columnist, contributing to *The Washington Times* and *CDN News*. His writings focus on the intersection of American civic life and Islam, offering insights on contemporary and international issues.
His extensive experience includes serving as Director of Legal and Policy Affairs with the Universal Muslim Association of America (UMAA). He also previously held the position of Executive Director of the Islamic Information Center, where he oversaw the American Leadership Initiative for Muslims.
With a deep commitment to justice, advocacy, and community empowerment, Rahat Husain continues to be a leading voice for Shia Muslim rights and representation in the United States and beyond.
Farhana Kassamali – Communications Director
Farhana Kassamali is an accomplished communications professional and community leader with a wealth of experience across multiple fields. Raised in Dubai and now based in Houston, Texas, Farhana balances a dynamic career with being a dedicated single mother to her 14-year-old daughter.
A Certified Public Accountant by training, Farhana’s expertise extends beyond finance into community engagement and strategic communications. As the host of the Sukoon podcast, she addresses topics that resonate with Muslim communities, fostering thoughtful discussions and providing a platform for diverse voices. Her commitment to service is evident through her role as a volunteer with the Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF), where she now serves as Communications Director, bringing clarity, purpose, and impact to SMF’s outreach and advocacy efforts.
Farhana is also a founder of the Houston chapter of Who is Hussein, an initiative focused on charitable and humanitarian work. Her leadership extends to educational advocacy as a former President of the PTO at Al Hadi School in Houston, where she played a pivotal role in enhancing school-community relations.
With her unique blend of professional skills, dedication to community service, and a passion for effective communication, Farhana Kassamali continues to advance the mission of the Shia Muslim Foundation, amplifying the voices and needs of Shia Muslims worldwide.