Editor's note: Every week, HuffPost Religion shines a spotlight on religious people doing good work in their communities. If you would like to recommend a faith-inspired organization, initiative or person in your community, send an email to religion@huffingtonpost.com or tweet to @huffpostrelig using the hashtag #faithinspires.
This week’s Faith Inspires highlights the work of Muslim Heroes, an organization that highlights ordinary Muslims all over the world who are making a positive difference in their communities.
Saud Inam, founder and executive director started Muslim Heroes as a blog on the heels of the Park51 controversy in New York City. Inam was frustrated by rising Islamophobia in the United States, victimized mentality among Muslims in the post-9/11 world and the Muslim-American community’s response to attacks on Islam and Muslims. Unsatisfied by defensive responses and explanations of who Muslims were not, Inam sought to define who Muslims were. However, he found there was no clear answer.
Muslim Heroes started as a response to the question, “If Muslims are not terrorists, who are they?” Saud Inam told The Huffington Post. Inam started by putting a spotlight on the inspirational work and contributions of ordinary Muslims from diverse backgrounds.
At the heart of the project was a belief that the average person can make a great difference in the community. So who are the Muslim Heroes? A quick glance at Muslim Heroes shows that they range from Zahra Lari, a figure skater from the UAE who competed internationally wearing a headscarf, to Maria Ebrahimji, a journalist at CNN based in Atlanta, GA., to Sulaiman Al Rajhi, a rags-to-riches billionaire and philanthropist from Saudi Arabia.
Muslim Heroes has grown tremendously in the last two years. What started as a blog is now well on its way to becoming an organization. What motivates Saud Inam to continue working on this project? “There is too much despair in the world today. I want to inspire and empower people,” Saud Inam told The Huffington Post.
Speaking about his aspirations for Muslim Heroes, Inam said he hoped that it would inspire people to serve others and break away from selfishness. Matthew Brooks, the Creative Director of Muslim Heroes voiced similar hope. "I believe this list can inspire people of all generations," said Brooks.
HuffPost Religion applauds the good work of Muslim Heroes. You can follow their blog here, like them on Facebook here and follow their tweets here.
Now, we want to hear from you! Who is making a positive impact in your community? Let us know by sending an e-mail to religion@huffingtonpost.com or tweeting to @huffpostrelig using the hashtag #faithinspires
Meet Some Of The Muslim Heroes
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