2024 CLDP Cohort

Saher, a senior at UT Austin, is majoring in government with a minor in philosophy of law. Her previous experiences include working in a legislative office in Texas and participating in other political campaigns. Saher truly enjoys working in legislation because it allows her to contribute to positive changes, motivating her to always give her best effort at work.

Hiba is a Kashmiri-American pursuing a degree in Cyber Security Engineering at George Mason University (GMU). Her bicultural upbringing, having grown up in both the United States and Kashmir, has ignited a passion for advocacy and human rights. At GMU, Hiba is deeply involved in campus activities, demonstrating her commitment to social justice and equity. As an active member of Students for Justice in Palestine, she engages in awareness campaigns, events, and discussions. Driven by a vision to both celebrate Kashmiri culture and address the community’s issues, Hiba established the Kashmiri Student Union at GMU. As its founder and president, she not only creates a space for dialogue on social, political, and cultural issues but also promotes awareness and appreciation of Kashmir’s rich heritage among the student body. Beyond campus, Hiba extends her commitment to community service through her mentorship for the NOVA Raft Afghan Refugee Mentorship Program, where she contributes to weekly tutoring sessions that significantly impact the educational journey of Afghan refugee students. Her active involvement in the Muslim community has also led her to join MPAC. In her academic pursuits, Hiba seeks to blend her studies in Cyber Security Engineering with her interest in safeguarding free speech and activism online, demonstrating her belief in the power of technology as a force for good.

Ridwan Yusufi is an undergraduate Political Science major at the University of California, Los Angeles. Upon his involvement with multiple Muslim organizations on campus, he was able to foster his desire for helping to provide resources for the greater Muslim Community at UCLA. He hopes to further this mission through his involvement with MPAC. He is currently studying for the LSAT in the hopes of going to law school after finishing his undergraduate degree.

Saliha is a recent graduate from the University of Pennsylvania. She majored in political science with honors and minored in statistics, data analytics, and Arabic & Islamic studies. She served as a research fellow for various programs, such as the Penn Program on Opinion Research and Election Studies where she conducted research on the relationship between religion and politics in the US through archival data analysis. Her senior thesis comparatively explores the use of religious rhetoric in political discourse of the US and Turkish governments. Additionally, she has been an editor for the Penn Undergraduate Law Journal and a policy analyst for the Wharton Undergraduates in Public Policy Club. She also served as the president for the Penn for UNICEF chapter to advocate for children’s and women’s rights internationally. She aspires to produce scholarship that not only sheds light on the contemporary challenges faced by underrepresented communities but also actively contributes to crafting research-based solutions through informed policymaking.

Galila is a rising junior at the University of Miami studying International Studies and Philosophy with a minor in Arabic Studies. Galila has dedicated her time in undergraduate studies to blending her cultural identity with her passion for advocacy and civic engagement. Galila is currently serving on the board of the Arab Student Union and is the Vice President of the University of Miami Mock Trial Team. Additionally, she works as a Student Experience Coordinator at the Butler Center for Leadership and Service and works with over 250 community partners to improve the relationship between the University and the surrounding community. Galila this past summer has also worked as an intern for The Jerusalem Fund, a Palestinian advocacy group based in DC, and the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations to expand her breadth of knowledge on the diplomatic relations between GCC countries and the U.S. from the private sector. Galila hopes to apply what she has learned about state relations through the private sector to the congressional internship offered through CLDP.

Afreen Ahmed is a first year Masters in Public Policy Student at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Her research focus is labor policy, with an interest in expanding federal protections for non-formal protections that are not covered by the national labor relations act. This interest is shaped by her upbringing in a community of immigrants and refugees in Chicago who relied on precarious informal and gig work to make a living. After she graduated from the University of Chicago in 2019, she spent four years with McKinsey’s public sector practice and is now doing her graduate degree in public policy.

Yusuf is a rising Junior at Cornell University, majoring in Industrial Labor Relations with minors in Finance and Data Science. On campus, he was selected to represent the undergraduate population on Cornell’s Undergraduate Student Council, advocating for student needs and concerns. Yusuf’s interest in political affairs grew during an internship with Justice for All, where he attended the United Nations General Assembly, sparking his interest in global issues. He actively engages in medical debt relief efforts at RIP Medical Debt, serving as a student mentor and campaign president. With a keen interest in economic and financial matters, Yusuf seeks to contribute to these discussions.

Duaa Faquih is a rising senior at Vanderbilt University, majoring in Political Science and Psychology. Duaa works with the non-profits “American Muslim Advisory Council” and “Asians Against Domestic Abuse” to pursue her goals of empowering minority communities voices. Living between the Middle East and Texas for most of her life, Duaa hopes to bring her diverse perspective to local and national politics and advocate for her Muslim community.

Salma, a Mexican-Egyptian American, holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Affairs from the University of California, Riverside. Throughout her undergraduate tenure, she demonstrated active engagement on campus by upholding leadership roles within student government and cultural organizations. She gained professional experience interning at CAIR-LA and employment at law firms. Concurrently, she served as the Southern California Director on the Board of Directors of MSA West. Salma aims to further develop her expertise in U.S. foreign policy as she pursues a career in law and international relations.

Shahzeb A. Malik is a first-generation college graduate and storyteller from Northeast Ohio. His lived experiences and passion for addressing the political determinants of health have led him to pursue an accelerated MBA in Healthcare Management and design his own BA in Health Policy and Management at Baldwin Wallace University. With experience as a civic media journalist and a background that includes serving as a Press Intern in the Office of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, being an alum of the Congressional Leadership Development Program, and formerly serving as a Senior Health Policy Fellow at the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Shahzeb brings a unique perspective to Capitol Hill advising for the 2024 cohort.

Zoya is a recent graduate from Arizona State University, where she earned her Master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology. With a passion for criminal reform, she has collected extensive paralegal experience in criminal law settings. Zoya’s aspirations extend to attending law school, after which she aims to establish her own practice dedicated to aiding underprivileged and underserved communities. Her fervent interest in government, reform, and public service drives her to seek opportunities that allow her to contribute meaningfully to societal change. Excited to gain insight into the inner workings of government and law crafting,

Misaal is a rising senior at Yale majoring in Political Science and History. She is Pakistani-American and originally from New York City. On campus, Misaal works as the Head Recruitment Coordinator at Yale Admissions, serves as the co-President of Yalies for Pakistan, and is the Head Advising Fellow for Yale’s chapter of Matriculate. She is also heavily involved with the Yale International Relations Association, having participated in planning conferences in Europe and the Middle East. Misaal is passionate about foreign policy and international development. She has previously interned for the Pakistani delegation at the UN and hopes to gain a more comprehensive overview on foreign relations through her work in D.C. She plans to attend law school post-graduation, with a focus on international humanitarian law.

Kazi Tejwar, City College of New York (CCNY) senior and Salutatorian, champions civic engagement with majors in Political Science and Sociology plus a minor in Legal Studies. Originating from Flatbush, Brooklyn, as the son of Bengali immigrants, his dedication to public service is personal. Tejwar led initiatives like the John Lewis Initiative, converting CCNY into an early voting site, and revived the Democracy Corps Fellowship at the Colin Powell School, fostering civic involvement among students. Through internships with leaders like House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and activism with Amnesty International USA, he’s honed skills in legislative advocacy and community service, prioritizing marginalized communities.

Abdullah recently graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in International Relations and Global Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. In the Fall, he will begin his Masters in Public Affairs at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs in Austin, Texas. His family originates from Palestine and although he was born in the US, Abdullah is proud of his background. He is passionate about public service and making a positive impact. As Muslims, we must represent our religion in the best way possible and strive to help everyone in need, so Abdullah always takes time to volunteer and give back.