Building Community Power: From Training to Action in Houston
This summer, Amjad Muhtaseb, Executive Director of MAS Houston, together with Ibrahim Islam, MAS Tarbiya Ambassador, traveled to Minnesota to attend a Weeklong Leadership Training (WLT) focused on how communities can build real power. It was a transformative experience that showed us what happens when people organize around shared values and a common purpose
What is community power?
Community power is the ability of people, when organized, to shape decisions that impact their lives — locally and nationally. It is not just about having large numbers, but about channeling relationships, resources, and leadership into a united force that decision-makers must take seriously.
Examples of community power in action:
– Local impact: Parents and teachers organizing together have won increased school funding and improved learning conditions.
– State impact: Faith-based coalitions in Minnesota influenced housing and healthcare policies, showing how organized voices can shift state priorities.
– National impact: Civil rights and immigrant rights movements have proven that mobilized communities can change laws, expand freedoms, and defend justice for all.
What this means for MAS Houston
Our vision is to bring this knowledge back home. In the coming months, we will host workshops and training sessions to share what we learned at WLT. Through these, MAS Houston will equip community members with the skills to become leaders, to organize effectively, and to build the collective strength we need in Houston.
By nurturing leaders and uniting our community, we can ensure that Muslims in Houston are not only heard but also respected and included in shaping the future of our city and our nation.
This is the essence of community power — and with your participation, Houston can become a model for how Muslim communities across America can lead with courage, faith, and vision.