North Texas Islamic Councils' Quarterly Meeting in Frisco

The North Texas Islamic Council (NTIC) convened its quarterly meeting this past weekend at the Islamic Center of Frisco (ICF), drawing leaders from more than 60 Islamic schools, mosques, and Muslim organizations across the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex. According to NTIC officials, the gathering, themed “Unity, Wisdom, and Purpose: Our Response to the Challenges of Today,” focused on empowering the region’s Muslim community through education, civic and interfaith engagement, and strategic collective action.

A Call for Unity Amid Rising Islamophobia

The meeting comes at a time of heightened concern for American Muslims. According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), 2024 saw a record 8,658 complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents in the United States—a 7.4% increase from the previous year and the highest number since CAIR began tracking such data in 1996. The majority of these complaints involved workplace discrimination, immigration issues, education, and hate crimes, with the ongoing war in Gaza cited as a significant catalyst for the surge in Islamophobia.

In his keynote address, NTIC President Mujeeb Kazi addressed these challenges, urging the DFW Muslim community to respond with resilience, knowledge, and unity. “Islamophobia is real. Whether it comes through biased media narratives, unjust policies, or violent hate crimes, it affects our children, our elderly, our mosques, and our identity. But we must remember: fear and ignorance are defeated not by silence, but by knowledge, engagement, and unity,” Kazi stated, as reported by NTIC and corroborated by recent CAIR findings.

Embracing the Prophetic Model: Shura and Collective Wisdom

Kazi further called on the community to embrace the Islamic principle of shura, or consultation, emphasizing the importance of collective wisdom over isolated efforts. “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,” he said, echoing NTIC’s mission to foster collaboration and coordination among its member organizations.

This approach reflects a broader trend among American Muslim organizations, which increasingly prioritize unity and strategic partnerships to address internal and external challenges. The NTIC’s collaborative model has been instrumental in organizing large-scale events, such as the historic 61st ISNA Convention in Dallas, which drew over 21,000 attendees and featured sessions on faith, civic engagement, and community building.

From the Ballot Box to the Boardroom

The meeting significantly emphasised the need for increased political engagement and representation. NTIC leaders highlighted the importance of supporting candidates who reflect the community’s values and advocate for their rights during campaign season and throughout their terms in office.

“We need representation that reflects our values and advocates for our rights—not just during campaign season, but after the votes are counted,” said Azhar Azeez, former president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), as quoted by NTIC and ISNA event coverage.

This call to action comes as Muslim and Arab American voters are poised to play a pivotal role in the 2024 elections. According to a recent CAIR survey, Muslim American political affiliations are shifting, with 29.4% supporting Kamala Harris, 29.1% favouring Dr. Jill Stein, and 11.2% backing Donald Trump. The emergence of the “Uncommitted Movement,” which garnered 700,000 votes nationwide—including 13% of the total in Michigan’s Democratic primary—underscores these communities' growing political influence and pragmatism.

Education and Interfaith Outreach

Education and interfaith engagement were also central themes at the NTIC meeting. Leaders stressed the importance of educating fellow Americans about Muslims' contributions as law-abiding citizens, professionals, and neighbours. “We are not outsiders. We are part of the American fabric. And we must continue telling our story in schools, media, boardrooms, and public offices,” Kazi urged, echoing a sentiment echoed by Muslim leaders nationwide.

The Islamic Center of Frisco hosted the meeting and is known for its robust educational and outreach programs, including youth mentorship, Quranic studies, and interfaith initiatives. Imam Salah Mahmoud, the ICF’s religious director, actively participates in the NTIC and has been recognized for fostering collaboration and unity within the broader Muslim community.

Interfaith dialogue remains a cornerstone of NTIC’s strategy, with ongoing partnerships and events designed to build bridges with other faith communities. The success of such initiatives is evident in the DFW area’s diverse and vibrant Muslim community, which regularly collaborates with local churches, synagogues, and civic organizations to promote mutual understanding and social justice.

Responding to External Challenges

In response to rising Islamophobia and external attacks on the community, NTIC leaders emphasized the need for strategic, dignified, and intelligent responses. This includes coalition-building with other marginalized groups, legal advocacy, and public education campaigns.

CAIR’s 2025 Civil Rights Report highlights the trend of viewpoint discrimination, particularly against those speaking out on issues such as the Gaza conflict. “Vigorous public debate, a hallmark of healthy democracy, was replaced by crackdowns on people expressing politically disfavoured viewpoints in 2024,” said CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor. “For the first time in our report’s nearly 30-year history, complaints reported to us were often the result of viewpoint discrimination rather than religious identity”.

NTIC’s approach aligns with national efforts to defend civil liberties and promote a more inclusive society. The council’s recent collaboration with CAIR-Texas DFW for interfaith iftars and civic engagement contests demonstrates its commitment to advocacy and coalition-building.

Amplifying Muslim Contributions and Community Development

To sustain the momentum generated by the meeting, NTIC announced the formation of a new task force dedicated to amplifying the contributions of American Muslims and creating sustainable platforms for community development and visibility. This initiative aims to provide resources, mentorship, and opportunities for leadership development, particularly among youth and underrepresented groups.

The task force will also focus on enhancing the visibility of Muslim professionals and organizations in public life, supporting civic education, and fostering partnerships with local government and civil society.

DFW’s Muslim Community in Focus

The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is home to one of the largest and most diverse Muslim populations in the United States, with over 200,000 Muslims and more than 60 mosques and Islamic centres. The region has become a hub for Islamic education, interfaith dialogue, and civic engagement, with organizations like NTIC, ICF, and IANT.

ISNA is playing a leading role in community development.

Recent events, such as the record-breaking ISNA convention and the surge in political activism among Muslim and Arab Americans, highlight the community’s growing influence and resilience. However, the challenges posed by rising Islamophobia, political polarization, and global conflicts continue to test the community’s unity and resolve.

A Vision for Unity and Purposeful Action

As the NTIC meeting concluded, attendees reaffirmed their commitment to unity, wisdom, and purposeful action. The council’s leaders expressed confidence that, through collaboration and strategic engagement, the DFW Muslim community can help build a stronger, more inclusive society for all Americans and rewrite the American Muslim narrative.

“Only the united formation reaches the destination,” Kazi reminded the audience, encapsulating the spirit of the gathering and the community's aspirations for the future.

The Significance of NTIC’s Approach

The NTIC’s focus on unity, education, and civic engagement reflects a broader shift within American Muslim communities toward proactive, strategic, and collaborative action. By prioritizing shura, interfaith outreach, and political participation, NTIC is positioning the DFW Muslim community as a model for resilience and leadership in the face of adversity.

The council’s efforts are particularly significant given the current climate of rising Islamophobia and political polarization. The record number of discrimination complaints reported by CAIR underscores the urgent need for community empowerment, legal advocacy, and public education.

At the same time, the growing political influence of Muslim and Arab Americans—evidenced by the “Uncommitted Movement” and shifting voting patterns—signals a new era of civic engagement and representation.

NTIC’s emphasis on strategic endorsements and coalition-building will likely have a lasting impact on local and national politics.

A Blueprint for the Future

The North Texas Islamic Council’s quarterly meeting at the Islamic Center of Frisco is a testament to the power of unity, wisdom, and purposeful action. By bringing together leaders from across the DFW metroplex, NTIC is fostering a culture of collaboration, resilience, and civic responsibility.

As the community looks ahead to future challenges and opportunities, the lessons and initiatives emerging from this gathering offer a blueprint for building a stronger, more inclusive society—one in which American Muslims are recognized not as outsiders, but as integral contributors to the nation’s fabric.