Muslim Leaders and Elected Officials Gather for Historic Leadership Summit

The North Texas Islamic Council (NTIC) hosted its most significant Leadership Summit and Annual Gala on Sunday, September 21, 2025, bringing together more than 150 prominent leaders from across seven counties to celebrate diversity, strengthen interfaith collaboration, and advance civic engagement throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

The event, held at 4440 West Airport Freeway in Irving, drew an unprecedented gathering of elected officials, community leaders, and religious representatives from 124 mosques and over 60 organizations across North Texas. Among the notable attendees were State Representative Teri Meza, Richardson Mayor Amir Omar, Irving Mayor Rick Stopher, Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick, Grand Prairie Mayor Pro Tem, various city council members, and Ambassador Rashad Hussain, along with commissioners, judges, and interfaith leaders.

Breaking Barriers Through Civic Engagement

The summit marked a watershed moment for Muslim American political participation in North Texas, showcasing the community's growing influence in local and state governance. Richardson Mayor Amir Omar, who made history earlier this year as North Texas's first Muslim mayor, represented the evolving landscape of American political leadership alongside other trailblazing officials.

Ambassador Rashad Hussain's presence added national significance to the gathering. As the first Muslim American to serve as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Hussain's confirmation by an 85-5 Senate vote in December 2021 demonstrated bipartisan support for Muslim American leadership at the federal level. His participation underscored the summit's mission to bridge local community engagement with national policy discussions.

"This is a full-fledged effort to make sure that we're competing all across the state," said one leader familiar with the summit's objectives, echoing broader themes of political participation and representation that emerged throughout the event. The gathering reflected the growing civic engagement of Muslim Americans amid rising challenges and opportunities for community empowerment.

Community Impact and Interfaith Collaboration

NTIC President Mujeeb Kazi, who has consistently advocated for unity and strategic engagement, emphasized the importance of collaborative action during the summit. "Solo flights may look impressive for a moment, but only the united formation reaches the destination. When we act as one, we are stronger, more effective, and more respected," Kazi previously stated, reflecting principles that guided the summit's programming.

The event's interfaith dimension demonstrated the North Texas Muslim community's commitment to building bridges across religious lines. State Representative Teri Meza, who represents District 105 and has championed progressive legislation since her 2018 election, participated alongside other elected officials who have worked to foster inclusive governance.

Irving Mayor Rick Stopher's attendance highlighted the growing cooperation between municipal leaders and the Muslim community. As mayor of a diverse city that has worked to promote economic development and community engagement, Stopher's participation reflected the local government's recognition of the Muslim community's civic contributions.

Recognition of Excellence and Leadership

The summit featured the NTIC Awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding contributions in entrepreneurial development, interfaith harmony, civic leadership, and peace advocacy. These honors celebrate individuals who have made significant impacts across multiple sectors while serving as ambassadors for their community's values and aspirations.

The recognition ceremony took place against the backdrop of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex's remarkable diversity, home to over 200,000 Muslims and more than 60 mosques and Islamic centers. This demographic strength has increasingly translated into political influence, as evidenced by recent electoral successes and expanded civic participation.

Historical Context and Growing Influence

The 2025 NTIC Leadership Summit built upon the success of previous gatherings, including the historic ISNA 61st Convention held in Dallas in 2024, which drew over 20,000 attendees and demonstrated the region's capacity to host major Muslim American events. That convention featured discussions on faith, health, environmental issues, politics, and community building, themes that resonated throughout the NTIC summit.

"It is an extraordinary, happy moment, especially for those who live in North Texas," said Kazi regarding large-scale Muslim community events in the region. The NTIC summit continued this tradition of bringing together diverse voices to address contemporary challenges while celebrating achievements and fostering future collaboration.

The gathering occurred during a period of both opportunity and challenge for Muslim Americans. According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, 2024 saw 8,658 complaints of anti-Muslim incidents—a 7.4% increase from the previous year. However, the summit demonstrated the community's resilience and growing political sophistication in responding to these challenges through civic engagement and alliance-building.

Strategic Vision for Future Engagement

The summit's emphasis on collaboration across seven counties and more than 60 organizations reflected NTIC's strategic approach to community development and political engagement. This regional coordination reflects broader trends in Muslim American political organization, where local communities are establishing sustainable infrastructure for long-term civic engagement.

The attendance of former ISNA President Azhar Azeez further emphasized the event's significance within the broader American Muslim leadership network. "We need representation that reflects our values and advocates for our rights—not just during campaign season, but after the votes are counted," Azeez previously stated, highlighting themes central to the summit's mission.

The presence of interfaith leaders alongside elected officials demonstrated the community's commitment to building coalitions that transcend religious boundaries while maintaining a distinct Islamic identity and values. This approach has proven effective in advancing policy priorities and fostering mutual understanding across diverse constituencies.

Sustaining Momentum

As North Texas continues to evolve as a center of Muslim American political and civic engagement, the NTIC Leadership Summit established essential precedents for sustained community organizing and interfaith collaboration. The gathering's success in bringing together such a diverse array of leaders—from local mayors to federal ambassadors—demonstrated the growing recognition of Muslim Americans as integral participants in regional governance and community development.

The summit's conclusion, marked with gratitude and prayers (du'ās), reflected the spiritual foundation underlying the community's civic engagement efforts. As NTIC leaders noted, the event's success depended on each participant's commitment to contributing time, energy, and ideas toward their shared vision of inclusive, collaborative leadership throughout North Texas.