american muslim coalition socio-economic initiative
OCTOBER 19, 2024.
Proceeding to realize the Coalition Vision to Empower the Muslim Community to “HELP ENHANCE AND GROW PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL ABILITY AND ASSETS OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS” a meeting was held Saturday October 19, 2024 from 12:00 pm – 2:30 to initiate brainstorming towards developing a sound strategy and an action plan.
An advanced posse consisting of Samra Azzaz, Irfan Cheema, Subhan Ahmad, Akhtar Chaudri, Zulfiqar Malik, Eqbal Hasan and Shahid Qadri attended. Anab Abdulahi, Faisal Jafri, Aref Qureini, and Irshad Cheema could not attend due to their domestic and international commitments.
Various positive ideas and suggestions were presented and discussed in the brainstorming session which are presented below for information, consideration, further addition and action.
A general consensus was to form a Business and Professional Forum open to all existing and prospective professionals and businessmen / businesswomen who want to participate, contribute and benefit from, towards building a prosperous Community.
This Forum will provide a platform to:
- Exchange business knowledge and experience. This would include business mentoring and organizing seminars and presentations to empower existing and prospective businessmen/businesswomen. Topics such as business planning, financial pro forma, risk management, etc., would provide valuable support to the business community.
A Mentorship and support structure needs to be developed. This would include advice and programs for workforce development in areas such as journalism etc.
- Identify business, financial, and professional resources: They will include, but not be limited t,o the following:
- Banks & Financial institutions.
- Agencies: Small Business Administration, US Export-Import Bank, US Trade & Development Agency, Department of Commerce.
- Legal and Financial Advisors.
- It was suggested that participation by Community businessmen in Business Associations & Affiliations, such as Chambers of Commerce, will help expand our participation, business intelligence, business networks, and our presence in the local business community.
- It was suggested that participation by Community businessmen in Business Associations & Affiliations such as Chambers of Commerce will help expand our participation, business intelligence, business networks and our presence in local business community.
Community business leaders may set up a Venture Capital or a Financial Syndicate to support and encourage entrepreneurs to participate in participation of established community businesses or to enter new areas and sectors of the economy.
A Shark Tank approach was suggested so that prospective business entrepreneurs can present their projects/business propositions to Venture Capital sponsors.
- Supply Chain Participation: Opportunities exist for businesses to expand supply chain participation by Community members, which need to be considered and exploited: this may include
- Acquiring farmlands to supply livestock and other farm products.
- Supporting wholesale supplies/suppliers of consumer and other products.
- Considering import/export business ownership and growth in the community.
- Continued acquisition of real estate by members of the community to establish a higher social, financial, and political presence.
It was pointed out that we consider WIFM (What Is in it For Me) while building the membership of this Forum for a strong Muslim business community.
- An important advice was made that building Trust & Unity is what the Community needs which must be kept in mind in implementing this Initiative.
- Near-term Opportunities for Community businesses and entrepreneurs to consider planning to participate in, include – 2026 Soccer World Cup, 2028 Olympics in areas such as hosting, supplies, concessions, etc.
- Near-term Opportunities for Community businesses and entrepreneurs to consider planning to participate in, include – 2026 Soccer World Cup, 2028 Olympics in areas such as hosting, supplies, concessions, etc.
- Enhancing and supporting Professional assets, such as plans to build hospitals, legal groups, and IT conglomerates were mentioned, which will be discussed in the next meeting of the group.
This group will be expanded by inviting additional business leaders and advisors who can play an effective role in realizing this Vision.
Formation of a Business and Professional Forum and a doable action plan with priorities will be discussed and decided in our next meeting. The next meeting with additional participants will be scheduled after Thanksgiving when most of them are hopefully available.
An initial step to form a Business & Professional Empowerment Forum is envisaged. A meeting of 5-8 respected and successful business and professional leaders from the initial Stewards group is proposed, while keeping the doors open to other leaders to join and contribute as we evolve.
The following are cordially invited to participate at this time:
In addition, Members of the Core Stewards Group are most welcome to participate as they desire. ( We may also include one or more between now and then)
Please advise / confirm if you will be able to hopefully participate, to lay the foundation of a very important initiative for the future of our Community.
- Proposed Agenda
- Introduction
- Brainstorming Ideas
- Discussion – Input by all
- Ranking Ideas
- Action Plan
- Initial Business Stewardship Teams
- Closing Remarks