Jihad F. Saleh
Biography
Jihad Saleh is the government affairs representative for Islamic Relief USA. He is responsible for managing IR-USA's advocacy and engagement with Congressional Offices, Federal Executive Departments, and foreign embassies in Washington, DC. Prior to Islamic Relief, Jihad was a congressional legislative advisor for four years. His policy coverage focused on education. Along with his policy duties, Jihad was the program & outreach coordinator for the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association. CMSA programs promote engagement between government representatives and Muslim constituents and organizational leaders.Jihad is an alumnus of the Muslim Public Service Network’s Washington, D.C. Fellowship Program, where he continues to serve as a curriculum adviser. MPSN’s curriculum and networking events promotes the ability of American Muslim students and young professionals to engage effectively with governmental, public affairs, and political institutions within the United States. Jihad also holds membership in the Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow and serves on the Advisory Committee for MLT’s various events and initiatives.
Jihad is often an invited speaker at public events and government programs focused on the Muslim community. His areas of specialization are Muslim young professionals' civic engagement and the participation and influence of Muslim Americans in public affairs institutions. He has been featured in various radio and print media concerning his organizing in the Muslim community and the consulting he provides government officials and Muslim American civic organizations. Jihad is a native of Los Angeles.
Vision Statement
I look forward to a future when Muslim Americans can fully participate in America’s civic networks and government institutions, fully utilizing the community’s collective talents and resources for the benefit of all Americans, while being fully accepted and appreciated by our neighbors and coworkers as both “Americans” and “Muslims.” Just as Muslim citizens have much to benefit from America’s traditions of pluralism, multiculturalism, and democratic practices, America also stands to prosper from the appreciation and promotion of Muslim traditions of leadership by consultation, intellectual freedom, and interfaith engagement. There is a growing movement of Muslim youth and young professionals who are committed to serving our nation through public affairs and government careers. It is my privilege to work with my fellow Congressional Muslim staffers to develop an appealing professional, social, and spiritual environment within the United States Congress that inspires Muslims to seek careers as government policy analysts, legal counsels, political advisors, communications directors, and researchers. It is an honor to be a part of the process that facilitates Muslim American concerns and interests being represented and considered within the institutional networks and discussions that determines our nation’s governance.
AMCLI Experience
AMCLI has connected me to an outstanding network of Muslim American civic leaders, community activists, and organizational directors. Every member of my Fellowship cohort has inspired me by their dedication to the empowerment of the Muslim community and the strengthening of America’s traditions of pluralism and democratic practices. My understanding of our community’s social dynamics, along with what is needed for its civic and political development has been greatly expanded through my dialog with other AMCLI Fellows and administrators. I have learned invaluable lessons and insights through the program’s workshops and networking events. Our various workshops and guest speakers addressed issues that reflected the organizational and leadership needs I have as a Muslim working in public affairs. When combining the practical lessons that I’ve learned to the extensive resources and networks that AMCLI will continue to provide me, I know that I am well prepared to positively impact the growth of Muslim American civic engagement and to be a valuable resource to our community’s representative organizations. I look forward to being an active member of the AMCLI Alumni network and developing collaborations between our respective organizations that will empower our community members and influence the governance of our nation.