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We’re super excited to announce two Augsburg community members have received a prestigious fellowship from Interfaith America, which will support current student interfaith activities at Augsburg focused on Cedar-Riverside.

Current student Bushra Sumrain and alumnus Mahamed Yusuf are leading this initiative, and the Interfaith Institute will be supporting their team! This work expands on Mahamed’s project that took root when he was an Augsburg Interfaith Fellow, and later EMBLEM Project fellow in collaboration with Bushra’s leadership!

Read more in Mahamed’s words:

We are so proud to announce to partner with Interfaith America to continue serving the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood!
As student leaders, Bushra Sumrain and l are honored to lead this initiative alongside our advisor, Dr. Najeeba Syeed. Through the Building Interfaith America Grant, we are continuing our community service efforts by providing essential hygiene supplies our neighbors.

This also marks the first grant-funded initiative carried out through Action in Community Transformation (ACT), a student organization at Augsburg University led by Bushra Sumrain and advised by Dr. Najeeba Syeed. ACT was formed in response to a shared desire among Augsburg students to become more involved in community service and create meaningful opportunities to support our neighbors.

This project reflects our ongoing commitment to community service, interfaith collaboration, and meeting our neighbors’ needs with dignity and compassion. We look forward to partnering with Augsburg University departments, local organizations, and places of worship to strengthen community relationships and expand our collective impact across Cedar-Riverside.

We are excited to continue this work and build on the partnerships that make community-driven change possible!

Abdirahman Mukhtar

Nasrieen Habib

Nasrieen Habib is a humanitarian entrepreneur and community leader advancing equitable access to outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and community well being. As the founder of Eco Jariyah and Amanah Recreational Project, she leads initiatives that remove barriers to nature, promote sustainable living, and create inclusive spaces for underserved women and their families. Through Eco Jariyah, Nasrieen develops ethically sourced, climate conscious apparel, including the Hiking Hijabie and Hiking Ummah lines, designed to increase accessibility and representation in outdoor spaces. Her work also supports global community initiatives focused on clean water access, orphan sponsorship, and essential resources for families both locally and globally. She is also the founder of Hiking Hijabie, a community-based outdoor initiative that has engaged over 800 members through programs such as hiking, kayaking, camping, and skill building activities. These programs are designed to improve physical and mental well being, foster social connection, and create safe, welcoming pathways into outdoor recreation. Nasrieen’s broader work includes leading zero waste initiatives, facilitating environmental education, and partnering with local agencies, park systems, and nonprofit organizations to expand community centered programming. She brings a culturally responsive approach to her work, ensuring programs are inclusive, accessible, and reflective of the communities they serve. Drawing from her spiritual values and lived experience as an immigrant, as well as her connection to her African heritage, Nasrieen is committed to building cross cultural connections, increasing access to public lands, and fostering a shared responsibility for environmental care and community resilience.

Mission Matters host Adam Torres recently interviewed our Executive Director, Prof. Najeeba Syeed, as part of the “Better Business Better World” podcast series. The focus of the podcast episode was “Turning Workplace Differences Into Opportunities for Cooperation.” Together, they discussed conflict resolution, religious diversity, and creating more cooperative and understanding workplaces. Mission Matters describes itself as “in-depth journalism for leaders shaping the future of business, technology, and culture.” The episode is available on multiple platforms:

• Mission Matters
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Youtube

Today our Executive Director Prof. Najeeba Syeed taught over 130 Augsburg University student leaders about models of cooperative problem solving.

Every year, Augsburg’s Multicultural Life office hosts this student leadership retreat  weekend inspired by oyate, the Lakota/Dakota word encompassing meanings related to “people,” “nation,” “community,” and the relationships between all beings and forces of life. Oyate Commons is also the name of a collaborative space in the lower level of the Christensen Center. There, students can connect with the Multicultural Life office and various student organizations, many of which were represented at the retreat.

The Oyate retreat was amazing, and the student leaders are impressive with their enthusiasm, courage, and thoughtfulness. We’re so excited to share how we can use conflict resolution to grow as leaders. These community builders help Augsburg and our neighbors flourish together. Thanks Multicultural Life for the invite; looking forward to working together all year!

Last week, our Executive Director, Prof. Najeeba Syeed, joined a group of scholars from around the world who were invited to the Bahamas by the Templeton Religion Trust.

The gathering included interfaith thought leaders whose insight could shape the future of the Trust’s grantmaking. We look forward to continuing to contribute to local, national and international conversations!

Wed, Sept 16
Noon, Halverson Chapel

Our executive director Prof Najeeba Syeed and President Paul Pribbenow were quoted in the Star Tribune newspaper this past week! In the article, they shared reflections about interfaith solidarity and connections made across the Twin Cities. These relationships have been especially important in the past year, and new connections continue being made, as reported by Minnesota journalist Mara Klecker.

“Minnesotans turned to faith communities to help during the ICE surge. Some stayed for Sunday worship.”

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The Interfaith Institute team attended the recent Interfaith America Leadership Summit in Chicago! August 6-9, thousands of educators, higher education staff, students, and donors from across the country attended the summit to connect, share inspiration, and strengthen bridge-building skills. This year’s theme, A Road Forward, invited attendees to reflect on America’s 250th year and our shared commitment to cooperation across difference.

Augsburg’s Interfaith team attended plenary sessions from engaging speakers like the Inheritance Theater Project and activist Loretta Ross. One recurring theme was practicing getting comfortable with discomfort, recognizing there will still be unanswered questions and opposing opinions when people team up to make good things happen together. The Interfaith team also participated in training sessions on how to increase pluralism on campus. Professor Syeed co-led a series of sessions for professionals entitled “Campus Culture Starts with Me.” It was also a great opportunity for networking with colleagues from other schools!

Thanks to funding from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, we were able to bring 8 EMBLEM (Emerging Muslim Leaders Engaging the Midwest) grantee campuses from across the midwest to the summit! Students and advisors from Augsburg, Augustana College (IL), Carleton College (MN), Concordia College – Moorhead (MN), Gustavus Adolphus College (MN), University of St. Catherine (MN), University of Michigan, and Lewis University (IL) attended a special gathering to make connections and celebrate their EMBLEM projects. It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the impact of the summit.

Ian Avers of the University of Michigan reflected; “The main thing I will be taking back from the summit is the stories I heard from others. I can say with confidence that I am more comfortable having ‘uncomfortable’ conversations after everyone’s vulnerability and honesty.” Farah Abdalla, of Concordia College, highlighted the importance of listening, with the reminder that “Interfaith conversations don’t always need to be an argument.” Students and advisors expressed gratitude for the chance to connect with interfaith leaders from different campuses. It was an energizing gathering and we look forward to sharing more about EMBLEM in the weeks to come!

Najeeba Syeed speaks ‘from the broken heart of democracy’ on interfaith peace

Professor Najeeba Syeed participated in the Chautauqua Institution’s Interfaith Lecture Series: Faith in the Public Square.

“Democracy is not a religious act; it is a spiritual struggle.”

Professor Syeed structured her lecture on the teachings of Christian ethicist Glen Stassen and U.S. religion sociologist Robert Bellah.

Read about her lecture in the Chautauquan Daily and watch the video online.