Abdirahman Mukhtar

Nasrieen Habib

Nasrieen Habib is a humanitarian entrepreneur and community leader advancing equitable access to outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and community well being. As the founder of Eco Jariyah and Amanah Recreational Project, she leads initiatives that remove barriers to nature, promote sustainable living, and create inclusive spaces for underserved women and their families. Through Eco Jariyah, Nasrieen develops ethically sourced, climate conscious apparel, including the Hiking Hijabie and Hiking Ummah lines, designed to increase accessibility and representation in outdoor spaces. Her work also supports global community initiatives focused on clean water access, orphan sponsorship, and essential resources for families both locally and globally. She is also the founder of Hiking Hijabie, a community-based outdoor initiative that has engaged over 800 members through programs such as hiking, kayaking, camping, and skill building activities. These programs are designed to improve physical and mental well being, foster social connection, and create safe, welcoming pathways into outdoor recreation. Nasrieen’s broader work includes leading zero waste initiatives, facilitating environmental education, and partnering with local agencies, park systems, and nonprofit organizations to expand community centered programming. She brings a culturally responsive approach to her work, ensuring programs are inclusive, accessible, and reflective of the communities they serve. Drawing from her spiritual values and lived experience as an immigrant, as well as her connection to her African heritage, Nasrieen is committed to building cross cultural connections, increasing access to public lands, and fostering a shared responsibility for environmental care and community resilience.

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Every year, �鶹��’s Multicultural Life office hosts this student leadership retreat  weekend inspired by oyate, the Lakota/Dakota word encompassing meanings related to “people,” “nation,” “community,” and the relationships between all beings and forces of life. Oyate Commons is also the name of a collaborative space in the lower level of the Christensen Center. There, students can connect with the Multicultural Life office and various student organizations, many of which were represented at the retreat.

The Oyate retreat was amazing, and the student leaders are impressive with their enthusiasm, courage, and thoughtfulness. We’re so excited to share how we can use conflict resolution to grow as leaders. These community builders help �鶹�� and our neighbors flourish together. Thanks Multicultural Life for the invite; looking forward to working together all year!

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Last week, our Executive Director, Prof. Najeeba Syeed, joined a group of scholars from around the world who were invited to the Bahamas by the .

The gathering included interfaith thought leaders whose insight could shape the future of the Trust’s grantmaking. We look forward to continuing to contribute to local, national and international conversations!

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Wed, Sept 16
Noon, Halverson Chapel

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“Minnesotans turned to faith communities to help during the ICE surge. Some stayed for Sunday worship.”

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The Interfaith Institute team attended the recent  in Chicago! August 6-9, thousands of educators, higher education staff, students, and donors from across the country attended the summit to connect, share inspiration, and strengthen bridge-building skills. This year’s theme, A Road Forward, invited attendees to reflect on America’s 250th year and our shared commitment to cooperation across difference.

�鶹��’s Interfaith team attended plenary sessions from engaging speakers like the  and activist . One recurring theme was practicing getting comfortable with discomfort, recognizing there will still be unanswered questions and opposing opinions when people team up to make good things happen together. The Interfaith team also participated in training sessions on how to increase pluralism on campus. Professor Syeed co-led a series of sessions for professionals entitled “Campus Culture Starts with Me.” It was also a great opportunity for networking with colleagues from other schools!

Thanks to funding from the, we were able to bring 8 EMBLEM (Emerging Muslim Leaders Engaging the Midwest) grantee campuses from across the midwest to the summit! Students and advisors from �鶹��, Augustana College (IL), Carleton College (MN), Concordia College – Moorhead (MN), Gustavus Adolphus College (MN), University of St. Catherine (MN), University of Michigan, and Lewis University (IL) attended a special gathering to make connections and celebrate their EMBLEM projects. It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the impact of the summit.

Ian Avers of the University of Michigan reflected; “The main thing I will be taking back from the summit is the stories I heard from others. I can say with confidence that I am more comfortable having ‘uncomfortable’ conversations after everyone’s vulnerability and honesty.” Farah Abdalla, of Concordia College, highlighted the importance of listening, with the reminder that “Interfaith conversations don’t always need to be an argument.” Students and advisors expressed gratitude for the chance to connect with interfaith leaders from different campuses. It was an energizing gathering and we look forward to sharing more about EMBLEM in the weeks to come!

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Professor Najeeba Syeed participated in the Chautauqua Institution’s Interfaith Lecture Series: Faith in the Public Square.

“Democracy is not a religious act; it is a spiritual struggle.”

Professor Syeed structured her lecture on the teachings of Christian ethicist Glen Stassen and U.S. religion sociologist Robert Bellah.

Read about her lecture in the and watch the online.

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I am back home after another set of travels, a summer of teaching and learning and growing in the work of Peacebuilding.

I’ve written before about safe spaces and brave spaces and now I am writing in defense of awkward spaces.

The spark that ignites understanding, before the magic of humanizing one for another comes through the space that feels hard, feels unnavigable, it pulls on our imagination.

I spent much of my summer as a steward of awkward space. Teaching mediators, leaders, students, university administrators, community organizers and others to *hold* that space.

The flourishing silences, the unpredictable exchanges, the fumbling moments, the times when we pray our tongue is untied for others to understand us (that is a prayer of Musa (Moses) that I shared this summer with others from the Muslim tradition.

Leadership needs us to to be vulnerable and awkward. Maybe we need to hold our selves as examples of works in progress not just paragons of perfection, and to hold others when they fall apart, maybe just a little maybe sometimes a lot.

I am here for your awkwardness I embrace it and you. I hope you will do the same for me.

Together I believe it’s the only way we will all flourish.

It can be helpful to model awkwardness as a facilitator. I know this is counter intuitive when you want to seem the expert, I’ve learned people respond much more to authenticity. Share a story of what didn’t work in the past, be honest about a time you were nervous about a conversation.

Facilitators who’ve had to navigate awkwardness together and came out of the tunnel as closer colleagues and friends are often a great team to lead these kinds of spaces.

And remember every space is awkward for someone in the room.

Maybe it’s time we all embrace, and even celebrate those awkward moments.

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