About Us:

Information Packet on IIC:

To learn about this organization, please review this Information Packet in Adobe PDF format. (Click image to download).

What is the IIC?

The Islamic Information Center (IIC) is a non-profit organization that was established in the year 2002 by a group of concerned professionals from all walks of American life under the leadership of eminent Scholar and Imam of Jaferia Center, Imam Syed Naqvi. The organization functions under the Chairmanship of Imam Naqvi with four permanent Directors and seven elected Directors; President, Secretary and Accountant are elected from among the Directors. The accounts are audited and presented to the members at yearly meetings.

After the events of 9/11, Islam has come intense scrutiny throughout the world and especially in America. There is a great demand and interest in understanding and acquiring knowledge about Islam. To this effect, seminars discussions and workshops are being and a number of books have been published on Islam, but most of them are based on some pre-conceived agendas. Therefore, there  was a very vital need to establish an Islamic Information Center to provide and disseminate information about Islam as defined by the Prophet of Islam (Peace Be Upon Him), the teachings of Holy Quran as interpreted by the Holy Progeny (Peace Be Upon Them) of the Holy Prophet.

At IIC we believe because of the focus on religious freedoms in the United States, Muslims are provided with a unique opportunity to worship and pray as they please. With this, however, it becomes important for Muslims to engage the government.  Integration into the pluralist American society requires Muslims to gain a place in American culture to and politics so the wisdom of Islam can affect important moral aspects. To accomplish this IIC has focused on three main areas of American society:

Political:

This country has a wide variety of public officials, and at every level of the government, these officials are expected to interact with and serve the public. The first task IIC should accomplish is to determine which, if any of these officials, may be friendly or positive towards Islam and try to work with them on projects of mutual interest.

Media:

To attempt to improve the image of Islam in the media, the goals are simple. Identify local, national and international newspapers, and invite them to attend IIC events and programs. Also we strive to pursue relationships with television news stations. IIC’s goal is to become a major source of information for media agencies, so that they can have accurate information regarding Islamic views on a variety of current topics..

Interfaith:

There are many churches, synagogues, temples, and other places of worship that are very positive towards the idea of working with Muslims to foster peace and harmony. Contacting major religious groups and specific “Interfaith” organizations throughout the nation and maintaining positive relationships is an important part of IIC’s work. After establishing warm ties between different religious groups, it is the goal of IIC to create an Interfaith Network so that members of different faiths can work together towards common goals. An interfaith network might best be able to effect social changes in our society, by appealing to a wide base.

Program Initiatives

IIC Internship Program

The Islamic Information Center has one of the nations top internship programs, that runs year round. The gemstone of this program is the summer internship in our Washington DC office, located at the National Press Club, and international media hub. Typically, students from around the world, including Canada, the UK, and the Middle East apply for this coveted internship. During the Summer Internship, the interns are immersed in the DC atmosphere, regularly meeting with international news agencies, organizing seminars, and interacting with federal officials. By the end of the internship, the students are well versed in what it takes to be a Muslim activist in this day and age!

United Nations NGO Official Recognition

In 2008, the Islamic Information Center is starting a project to become an officially recognized United Nations Non-Governmental Organization. Such a recognition will greatly help IIC’s humanitarian efforts world wide, and will give the Islamic Information Center the type of prestige required to “open doors” at the highest levels of government and media agencies. By achieving this “NGO” status, IIC hopes to begin various international aid projects with charitable organizations. IIC would also like to help the poor and destitute in the Middle East, who often times are faced with starvation and inadequate medical care. Later this year, the Islamic Information Center will unveil its Iraqi Orphan project, a program devoted to helping the rising crisis in Iraq, as families continue to lose one or both parents on a regular basis..

IIC Board of Advisors

There are a wide variety of domestic issues that the Islamic Information Center is focused upon. To tackle these aspects of society, the Islamic Information Center has established the Board of Advisors, which is a team of academics and scholars devoted to focusing on such topics . The Islamic Research Institutes members are the highest caliber of intellectuals, and are based in North America, often times holding distinguished professorships at universities in the United States and Canada.

United States Capitol Building Jumah Salaat

Imam Syed Naqvi will be holding a series of regular Friday prayers at the United States Capital as a part of his Islamic Information Center Visiting Scholar Series. The goal is to provide the Islamic perspective of the Prophet and Ahlul Bayt at such services, so that a variety of types of messages can be heard. Organizers believe that this will be extremely beneficial to all involved parties, and that it will be a profound learning experience.

IIC's fight against Terrorism

In collaboration with IIC, Congressman Meeks (D-NY) office will be sponsoring a press release about the work of American Muslims to counteract negative perceptions surrounding Islam through working with their local masjids and imams. Since the horrid and inhumane events of 9/11, American Muslims have been working tirelessly to help law enforcement agencies on all levels to aid them in anti-terrorism activities. A strong push to clarify the true beliefs of Islam which focus on peace has also been undertaken by American Muslims of all walks in order to dispel the false notion of violence being condoned by Islam.

Who works at IIC?

The Chairman:

Syed Imam Naqvi founded Islamic Information Center in 2002 in order to provide accurate Islamic Information to both non-Muslims and Muslims. As Chairman of IIC, Imam Naqvi has successfully created and established an organization which has been recognized by the Washington Post, Baltimore Sun, and ABC News.

Imam Naqvi is the resident scholar of The Jaferia Islamic Center located in Maryland, and is a spokesperson of The Council of Shi'a Muslim Scholars of North America. Further, Imam Naqvi is very active in motivating young Muslims, and has created the Jaferia Youth Group. Further, the Imam has worked on numerous humanitarian projects throughout the world. 

Imam Naqvi is originally from Lucknow, India, where he completed his Masters degree in Psychology, Philosophy and Economics.  Additionally, he completed a comparative study on various religions and subsequently obtained a Masters in Islamic Theology and Islamic Jurisprudence. 
 

Executive Committee:

Rahat Husain - Executive Director (UMB Law 2011, J.D.)

Junaid Naqvi - Public Relations Director

Mahdi Husain - Interfaith Initiatives Director

Azmat Husain - Community Relations Director (UMB Medicine 2010, M.D.)

Omar Rashed -Political Correspondent (Michigan 2008, M.S.W.)

Farwah Zaidi - DC Area Media Relations Officer (SUNY Stonybrook 2005, M.A. Political Science)

Nighat M. Sayeed - Chicago, IL Media Relations Officer (Georgetown 2010, M.S. Biochemistry)

Irma Khoja - Miami, FL Area Media Relations Officer (University of Miami 2011, J.D.)

Saman Naquvi - NYC Area Media Relations Officer (Rutgers 2007, B.S.)

IIC Alumni:

This is a listing of individuals who have worked at IIC in the past. These individuals still are considered a part of the team, and contribute whenever they are able.

Fatemeh Shakoelahi was one of the Summer 2009 Interns.

Hafiz Rashid was one of the Summer 2008 Interns. 

Fatima Showkatian worked as an intern at the Islamic Information Center in the summer of 2007 informing the public, mainly through the media, about Islam and Muslims. She has done work many organizations that strive to improve communication, dialogue and appreciation of diversity within the United States and well as in the Middle East. Fatima will complete her B.A in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and a minor in Tourism and Events Management at George Mason University in 2008. Fatima is originally from, and continues to reside in, the Washington DC Metropolitan area. 

Dabeer Kirmani participated in the first Annual IIC Internship Program. He is currently a student at Valencia College studying Business Management.

Masooma Hussain was the first Media Relations Officer for the Islamic Information Center. She graduated from New York University with a Bachelors in Political Science and is currently working at a Women’s Rights Advocacy law group in Washington DC.

Jihad F. Saleh is the Education and Judiciary Legislative Assistant for Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY). Along with his legislative duties, he is also the Programs Associate for the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association. Since 2007, Jihad has been an adviser to the IIC Summer Internship Program and a consultant on IIC projects to increase civic engagement within the American Muslim community. Prior to moving to Washington, DC, Jihad was an inner-city high school teacher for four years. He has earned graduate degrees from Stanford University's School of Education and Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public Affairs. Jihad is originally from Los Angeles.