The Muslim Non-profit Show with Tayyab Yunus

What does it really mean to be civically engaged as an American Muslim?

In this powerful conversation, Tayyab Yunus sits down with Junaid Ahmed, entrepreneur, community organizer, and congressional candidate from Illinois, to unpack how everyday people can move from community service to systemic change.

Junaid shares the personal experiences that pushed him to run for U.S. Congress, from student debt and healthcare costs to grassr...

What happens when you feel called to do more, but you are already juggling a career, education, and life responsibilities?

In this episode, we sit down with Mariam , a mental health professional who is balancing a full-time career, volunteering for humanitarian relief, and pursuing Islamic education. She shares her personal journey, the courage it takes to ask for support, and what it really looks like to turn a vision for good int...

"Donor fatigue" is one of the most commonly used phrases in fundraising. It is also one of the most misunderstood.

In this episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, we challenge the idea that donors stop giving because they are tired or out of money. Drawing from academic research, nonprofit practice, and Islamic principles, we reframe the conversation from donor fatigue to donor abuse. When donors disengage, it is often a result of ho...

Many nonprofits struggle not because they lack passion, but because they misunderstand where they are in their organizational journey.

In this episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, we break down the nonprofit lifecycle stages, drawing from Susan K. Stevens' work, entrepreneurial value creation theory, and insights from my own doctoral research. We explore what defines the startup phase, why founder-led organizations often stall, an...

In this inspiring episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, Dr. Tayyab Yunus sits down with Dr. Shaza Khan, Executive Director of the Islamic Schools League of America (ISLA), to explore her remarkable journey from educator to national leader in Islamic education.

Dr. Shaza shares the personal moments, spiritual reflections, and life experiences that shaped her calling into social good — from her family's migration story to her early f...

In this episode, we dig into one of the most critical elements of nonprofit success: the board. Drawing from years of leadership experience and insights from my doctoral research, we explore why boards can either accelerate an organization toward its mission or quietly hold it back from reaching its true potential. If you have ever wondered why some nonprofits thrive while others struggle, this conversation gives you the clarity yo...

When most people hear the word philanthropy, they think of wealthy donors, historic foundations, or big names from the early 20th century. But in this episode, we explore a much deeper and more meaningful understanding of philanthropy through an Islamic lens. Drawing from the teachings of scholars like Peyton and Moody as well as Dr. Shariq Siddiqui, we uncover how Islam expands the concept of giving to include intention, mindset, ...

What happens when a young Muslim refuses to follow the traditional four "acceptable" career paths and instead chooses a life of service?

In this episode, we sit down with Ahmad Alaswad, the first Muslim Chief of Staff for an elected official in Texas, whose story is rooted in purpose, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to serving humanity. From an unpaid intern getting coffee to becoming the Executive Director of Amana Refugee Servi...

What happens when a group of Muslim women decide they're done waiting for change and start building it instead?

In this inspiring episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, Tayyab Yunus sits down with Sadaf Saied, co-founder of the Muslim Women Organization (MWO), to unpack the 15-year journey of how a small halaka turned into a powerful nonprofit movement.

Sadaf shares how MWO went from local service projects to launching the groundbre...

In this episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, Tayyab Yunus sits down with Faizan Syed, co-founder of A Continuous Charity (ACC) an organization that turned a simple idea into a $10 million movement helping thousands of students pursue education without interest.

From a handwritten notebook and $60,000 in seed money to a national impact across hundreds of students, Faizan shares how ACC built scalable systems, overcame early challen...

What if the way we talk to our kids is holding them back from becoming who they're meant to be?

In this inspiring episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, Tayyab Yunus speaks with Ivana Zajkovska, founder of Youth360 Thrive, about how we can change the way we engage, teach, and raise our youth.

Ivana introduces the powerful concept of Positive Youth Development (PYD) — a faith-aligned, strengths-based approach that focuses on what we ...

What's really holding Muslim nonprofits back?
It's not funding. It's culture, mindset, and talent.

In this episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, Tayyab Yunus sits down with Sarah Ali, founder of the Muslim Philanthropy Network, to discuss the structural and cultural shifts our sector must embrace to thrive in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Sarah shares her 14-year journey, from law school to leading global organizations like ...

Every Ramadan, Muslims in the U.S. donate over $4 billion, most of it within just 30 days. Yet many nonprofits scramble last-minute, missing out on impact, reach, and opportunity.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Tayyab Yunus sits down with Monica Niro and Jumana El-Amori to reveal the proven strategies that drive successful Ramadan campaigns.

They break down:
✅ How to plan your Ramadan campaigns 45–60 days in advance
✅ The donor enga...

What if 95% of nonprofits fail and you could be part of the 5% that actually succeed?

In this episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, host Dr. Tayyab Yunus breaks down what separates thriving organizations from struggling ones. From his experience in Muslim philanthropy and doctoral research, he uncovers the four key strategies that transform passion into real, lasting impact.

You'll discover:
✅ Why most Muslim nonprofits fail to f...

What makes someone leave behind a career in medicine to dedicate their life to dawah?

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Sabeel Ahmed, a leading da'ee and visionary behind GainPeace, to explore his journey from medical school to full-time Islamic outreach.

Dr. Sabeel shares the pivotal moment that transformed his life: watching a lecture by Sheikh Ahmad Deedat as a teenager, which ignited his passion for Islam and show...

What does it really take to build a sustainable Muslim nonprofit?
In this powerful episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, we sit down with Imam Khalid Griggs, a lifelong activist, faith leader, and advocate for justice.

Imam Khalid shares his journey from growing up in the American South during the Civil Rights movement — where he met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — to embracing Islam in college and dedicating his life to organized act...

What does it really take to build a sustainable Muslim nonprofit?
In this inspiring episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, we sit down with Arshia Wajid, founder of American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP), to uncover the powerful lessons she learned over a 20-year journey in nonprofit leadership.

Arshia reveals:
✅ The 10-year mistake every nonprofit founder should avoid
✅ How faith and Islamic values guided her mission
✅ Why so ...

In this episode, we sit down with Margari "Aziza" Hill, founder of MuslimARC, to explore the inspiring journey of building an organization rooted in education, community, and purpose. From conducting one of the first quantified studies on intra-Muslim ethnic relations to creating impactful anti-racism initiatives, MuslimARC's story is filled with lessons for anyone seeking to start or strengthen a nonprofit.

Margari shares why a ...

In this powerful episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show, we sit down with Adrian "Ashir" Kirk, founder of Measured Tones Institute of Quran, who shares his incredible journey of turning an idea into a global nonprofit dedicated to making tajweed of the Qur'an accessible to every Muslim.

From moments of fear and doubt to trusting in Allah and taking the leap, Ashir reveals how Measured Tones grew from a summer intensive to offering fr...