The Muslim Non-profit Show with Tayyab Yunus

What does it truly mean to be Muslim in America today? In this powerful conversation, Imam Abdulmalik shares a bold and hopeful vision of Muslims stepping beyond the four walls of the masjid to serve humanity, shape civic life, and contribute meaningfully to the fabric of America. From organizing historic community events to challenging fear, limiting beliefs, and self-doubt, this episode explores...

What does it really mean to be civically engaged as an American Muslim? In this powerful conversation, Tayyab Yunus sits down with Junaid Ahmed, entrepreneur, community organizer, and congressional candidate from Illinois, to unpack how everyday people can move from community service to systemic change. Junaid shares the personal experiences that pushed him to run for U.S. Congress, from student d...

What happens when you feel called to do more, but you are already juggling a career, education, and life responsibilities? In this episode, we sit down with Mariam , a mental health professional who is balancing a full-time career, volunteering for humanitarian relief, and pursuing Islamic education. She shares her personal journey, the courage it takes to ask for support, and what it really looks...

"Donor fatigue" is one of the most commonly used phrases in fundraising. It is also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, we challenge the idea that donors stop giving because they are tired or out of money. Drawing from academic research, nonprofit practice, and Islamic principles, we reframe the conversation from donor fatigue to donor abuse. When donors di...

Many nonprofits struggle not because they lack passion, but because they misunderstand where they are in their organizational journey. In this episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, we break down the nonprofit lifecycle stages, drawing from Susan K. Stevens' work, entrepreneurial value creation theory, and insights from my own doctoral research. We explore what defines the startup phase, why founde...

In this inspiring episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, Dr. Tayyab Yunus sits down with Dr. Shaza Khan, Executive Director of the Islamic Schools League of America (ISLA), to explore her remarkable journey from educator to national leader in Islamic education. Dr. Shaza shares the personal moments, spiritual reflections, and life experiences that shaped her calling into social good — from her fami...

In this episode, we dig into one of the most critical elements of nonprofit success: the board. Drawing from years of leadership experience and insights from my doctoral research, we explore why boards can either accelerate an organization toward its mission or quietly hold it back from reaching its true potential. If you have ever wondered why some nonprofits thrive while others struggle, this co...

When most people hear the word philanthropy, they think of wealthy donors, historic foundations, or big names from the early 20th century. But in this episode, we explore a much deeper and more meaningful understanding of philanthropy through an Islamic lens. Drawing from the teachings of scholars like Peyton and Moody as well as Dr. Shariq Siddiqui, we uncover how Islam expands the concept of giv...

What happens when a young Muslim refuses to follow the traditional four "acceptable" career paths and instead chooses a life of service? In this episode, we sit down with Ahmad Alaswad, the first Muslim Chief of Staff for an elected official in Texas, whose story is rooted in purpose, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to serving humanity. From an unpaid intern getting coffee to becoming the Executi...

What happens when a group of Muslim women decide they're done waiting for change and start building it instead? In this inspiring episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, Tayyab Yunus sits down with Sadaf Saied, co-founder of the Muslim Women Organization (MWO), to unpack the 15-year journey of how a small halaka turned into a powerful nonprofit movement. Sadaf shares how MWO went from local service...

In this episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, Tayyab Yunus sits down with Faizan Syed, co-founder of A Continuous Charity (ACC) an organization that turned a simple idea into a $10 million movement helping thousands of students pursue education without interest. From a handwritten notebook and $60,000 in seed money to a national impact across hundreds of students, Faizan shares how ACC built scala...

What if the way we talk to our kids is holding them back from becoming who they're meant to be? In this inspiring episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, Tayyab Yunus speaks with Ivana Zajkovska, founder of Youth360 Thrive, about how we can change the way we engage, teach, and raise our youth. Ivana introduces the powerful concept of Positive Youth Development (PYD) — a faith-aligned, strengths-base...

What's really holding Muslim nonprofits back? It's not funding. It's culture, mindset, and talent. In this episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, Tayyab Yunus sits down with Sarah Ali, founder of the Muslim Philanthropy Network, to discuss the structural and cultural shifts our sector must embrace to thrive in a rapidly changing global landscape. Sarah shares her 14-year journey, from law school to...

Every Ramadan, Muslims in the U.S. donate over $4 billion, most of it within just 30 days. Yet many nonprofits scramble last-minute, missing out on impact, reach, and opportunity. In this powerful episode, Dr. Tayyab Yunus sits down with Monica Niro and Jumana El-Amori to reveal the proven strategies that drive successful Ramadan campaigns. They break down: ✅ How to plan your Ramadan campaigns 45...

What if 95% of nonprofits fail and you could be part of the 5% that actually succeed? In this episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, host Dr. Tayyab Yunus breaks down what separates thriving organizations from struggling ones. From his experience in Muslim philanthropy and doctoral research, he uncovers the four key strategies that transform passion into real, lasting impact. You'll discover: ✅ Wh...

What makes someone leave behind a career in medicine to dedicate their life to dawah? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Sabeel Ahmed, a leading da'ee and visionary behind GainPeace, to explore his journey from medical school to full-time Islamic outreach. Dr. Sabeel shares the pivotal moment that transformed his life: watching a lecture by Sheikh Ahmad Deedat as a teenager, which ign...

What does it really take to build a sustainable Muslim nonprofit? In this powerful episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, we sit down with Imam Khalid Griggs, a lifelong activist, faith leader, and advocate for justice. Imam Khalid shares his journey from growing up in the American South during the Civil Rights movement — where he met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — to embracing Islam in college and d...

What does it really take to build a sustainable Muslim nonprofit? In this inspiring episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, we sit down with Arshia Wajid, founder of American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP), to uncover the powerful lessons she learned over a 20-year journey in nonprofit leadership. Arshia reveals: ✅ The 10-year mistake every nonprofit founder should avoid ✅ How faith and Islami...

  In this episode, we sit down with Margari "Aziza" Hill, founder of MuslimARC , to explore the inspiring journey of building an organization rooted in education, community, and purpose. From conducting one of the first quantified studies on intra-Muslim ethnic relations to creating impactful anti-racism initiatives, MuslimARC's story is filled with lessons for anyone seeking to start or strengthe...

In this powerful episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, we sit down with Adrian "Ashir" Kirk, founder of Measured Tones Institute of Quran, who shares his incredible journey of turning an idea into a global nonprofit dedicated to making tajweed of the Qur'an accessible to every Muslim. From moments of fear and doubt to trusting in Allah and taking the leap, Ashir reveals how Measured Tones grew fro...

In this powerful episode of The Muslim Non-Profit Show , we welcome Ayman Nassar , founder of the Islamic Leadership Institute of America (ILIA) . His journey reveals a surprising inspiration that sparked an organization dedicated to building leadership capacity in Muslim youth. From uncovering forgotten Muslim history in America, to creating the first Muslim-run youth crisis line, Ayman shares le...

In this episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show , we sit down with Maeen Ali, founder of Mercy Bakery, whose journey began with a personal tragedy and transformed into a global movement. After losing his brother in Yemen, Maeen was inspired to take action not just for his family, but for thousands of others suffering from famine. From opening one small bakery to now serving bread and hot meals in Yem...

In this episode of The Muslim Non-Profit Show, Brother Nihad Awad, co-founder of CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations), shares the incredible journey from a small campus initiative in 1994 to the nation's largest Muslim civil rights organization. He reveals the challenges of confronting media bias, the importance of recruiting and training the right talent, and how CAIR grew to over 30 chap...

In this episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show , we sit down with community leader and convert to Islam, Malik Shaw, whose story is a masterclass in faith, grit, and service. Brother Malik shares how he went from working a 9-to-5 while hosting weekly meetups in his living room to running a vibrant food pantry that now feeds 40+ families in a historically Black neighborhood in Memphis. You'll hear ho...

In this powerful episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show with Tayyab Yunus, Brother Muhammad Abdul-Aleem—founder of IslamiCity and HADI —joins us to reflect on 30 years of trailblazing work in Islamic tech. From setting up early relief efforts in Iraq and the Balkans, to pioneering Islamic digital platforms, Brother Alim shares how his team made history by putting the entire Quran on the internet and...