Community Gala

NWMI's first Community Gala was a memorable event filled with laughter, connection, and community.

Commemorating NWMI’s tenth anniversary, we celebrated our robust organization and its unparalleled diversity, inclusivity, and warmth. The community attended this event with the same spirit of joy and generosity they consistently bring to this community, helping to ensure that NWMI continues to nurture many generations of American Muslims to come.

See below for photos from this evening of inspiration, fellowship, and celebration as we thanked Allah (swt) for blessing us with such an incredible community!

And, watch our Tenth Anniversary Commemoration Video here.

Welcome & Registration

Dressed in their finest, over 200 members of the NWMI community came to celebrate this momentous occasion and support the next decade of NWMI’s growth.

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mocktail hour & Silent Auction

Guests enjoyed a signature mocktail or beverage of choice while perusing a wealth of silent auction items and watching renowned artist Aadil Abedi create a masterpiece that one lucky bidder took home at the end of the night.

Live Music

As they entered the gorgeous ballroom, guests were greeted by a talented Syrian musician, Muath Edriss, a vocalist and oud player who won first place on the Arab version of "The Voice" before bringing his unique musical style to Virginia.

speakers

Our Master of Ceremonies for this special evening was one of Hollywood's hottest rising stars, Tehran Von Ghasri. Born to a conservative Iranian father and a liberal African-American mother, Tehran's unique comedy style enraptured the audience. The evening included remarks by Adnan Zulfiqar, Assistant Professor at Rutgers Law and an expert in Islamic jurisprudence and criminal law, and by Isra Chaker, a civil rights activist and advocacy expert who inspired guests with her example of service. Last but not least, writer/actor/comedian Ahamed Weinberg, whose talents have been featured on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Late Night with Seth Meyers, closed out the evening with laughter and hilarity.

Live Auction

Spurred on by some incredible auction items — including Aadil Abedi’s live calligraphic masterpiece, a session with renowned photographer Akbar Sayed, a live personal performance by singing sensation Raef, backstage access to journalist Mehdi Hassan, and more — the community generously opened their hearts and their wallets to ensure NWMI’s continued growth and success.