CAIR-Ga. names new executive director
Activist, educator and former imam Abdullah Jaber has been named the new executive director of the Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Jaber, 29, assumes the post on March 1.
Jaber plans to make his first public appearance in his new role at CAIR-Georgia's fourth annual gala, "Celebrating Our Past, Building Our Future," on Feb. 15th.
Other scheduled speakers include U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Imam Suhaib Webb, a social activist and educator, known as the “Snapchat Imam.”
He succeeds Edward Ahmed Mitchell, who was recently appointed national deputy director of the organization in Washington, D.C.
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Mitchell, who is also an attorney, had served as the state’s executive director since 2016.
"Over the past four years, I have come to know Abdullah Jaber as a scholar-activist who puts his faith into action by standing up for causes of justice across our state,” Mitchell said in a release about the appointment. “ In addition, his experiences as an interfaith activist, a prolific fundraiser and the founder of a non-profit organization make him the ideal person to strengthen and advance CAIR-Georgia in 2020, a critical moment for American Muslims."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations is one of the nation’s leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organizations.
Jaber previously served as resident scholar and imam at Masjid Omar, one of Georgia's largest Islamic houses of worship. He is also a former member of the advisory committee of CAIR-Los Angeles, the co-founder of Muslim Youth of Los Angeles (MyLA), and the founder and director of the non-profit educational organization Tibyaan.
Jaber became well-known for speaking and fundraising for various social justice causes across Georgia, including voter turnout, civic engagement and opposition to Islamophobia. In 2017, he delivered the opening prayer at the Democratic National Committee's national winter conference.
About the Author
Shelia has worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more than 30 years. Previously, she worked at The Lexington Herald-Leader and The Louisville Defender. Her beat is a bit of a mixed bag that includes religion and spirituality, culture and trends, race and aging. She earned degrees from Spelman College and Northwestern University.
