Public Service

The Advancing Muslim Communities Fellowship allows our students to give back to local, national, and international communities through engaged and effective public service opportunities.

In partnership with the Haas Center for Public Service and through a generous gift from Stanford alumni Anna Khan and Ansaf Kareem, the Markaz established the Advancing Muslim Communities Fellowship in 2022-2023. This fellowship funds and supports undergraduate students working with nonprofit organizations that center Muslim communities, issues, and regions. Through these public service fellowships, students engage and apply their academic experience and leadership skills to address issues of social change. Fellows spend the summer working full-time with a supervisor/mentor in a domestic U.S. community organization.

Applicants propose their own placements with organizations with which they have corresponded before the application deadline. For inspiration, the Markaz has created a list of relevant organizations doing work in a variety of fields, including public policy, civil rights, philanthropy, education, interfaith work, health and tech. 

Selection process for these fellowships typically begins in the Winter Quarter and will be announced in our newsletter. For questions about these fellowships or connections to any organizations, please contact Markaz staff directly.  

Advancing Muslim Communities Fellows

Summer 2026

Misbah Aziz, Aga Khan Development Network. Misbah is a sophomore majoring in Urban Studies and minoring in Islamic Studies. She is looking forward to working with the Aga Khan Development Network on research and supporting educational initiatives that strengthen quality and access in rural and under-served communities across the Muslim world.

Mohammed Jhaish, Code.X. Mohammed is a freshman studying computer science. He is excited to work with Code.X, a nonprofit that teaches coding to youth in Gaza, as a programming instructor. Having once been a Code.X student himself, Mohammed has always hoped to return and give back to the community.

Morteza Ehsani. Morteza is sophomore majoring in Computer Science and is originally from Herat, Afghanistan. He will be using his interests at the intersection of Human Rights and Artificial Intelligence during his fellowship this summer.

Summer 2025

Esmeralda Olivia, Interfaith Solidarity & Accompaniment Coalition (ISAAC). Esmeralda interned at ISAAC of Northern Colorado, an interfaith, solidarity, accompaniment coalition which provides a web of resources, aid, and advocacy for refugee, immigrant, and/or marginalized communities in Fort Collins, including the Islamic Center of Fort Collins and Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC.

Summer 2024

YuQing Jiang, Muslim Civic Coalition (MCC).  YuQing worked with the MCC, a national community organizing body, to facilitate meaningful discussions between Muslim community members and Chicago public officials. During these sessions, participants explored pressing social issues and discuss policy solutions. YuQing hopes these outreach programs amplified Muslim voices, fostered meaningful dialogue, and empowered civic engagement in the months leading up to the 2024 Elections. 

Hana Doueri, Human Assistance and Development International (HADI). Hana worked with HADI, a California based non-profit, to expand cultural and religious sensitivity training for public school teachers. Drawing on her background in political science and education, Hana brought the training to new districts, tailoring the content to reflect community demographics and regional incidents of Islamophobia. Hana enhanced HADI's training curriculum by adding interactive cultural elements like dance and food. 

Summer 2023

Husna Nashnoush, Tayba Foundation. Husna interned for the Tayba Foundation, a nonprofit organization aiding the justice impacted community with services ranging from mental health, substance abuse programs, food pantry access, case management, and computer literacy. She furthered the organization's mission by conducting a mapping and outreach project to build stronger relationships with transitional homes for formerly incarcerated women.


Heena Khan, Afghan Women's Council. Heena collaborated with the Afghanistan Women's Council, a women-owned and operated nonprofit in Afghanistan. Her efforts were dedicated to designing mental health resources to empower Afghan women, contributing to their well-being and independence, including tailored mental health awareness workshops. Additionally, Heena supported the organization's fundraising efforts to secure essential hygiene supplies.