Shariq Abdul Ghani is the Executive Director of Minaret Foundation, an organization focused on bringing faith communities together through multi-faith and civic engagement. Apart from dialogue, dodgeball, and BBQs, Minaret Foundation works with faith communities to change the world through advocacy in food insecurity, child welfare, and religious freedom. For the past 11 years, Shariq has regularly spoken at faith centers, conferences, and educational institutions on topics ranging from American Muslim identity to faith-based advocacy and spirituality. In addition to teaching Islam through sermons and lectures, he works with clergy, policymakers, and law enforcement to provide insight into the American-Muslim community. Shariq was appointed as the Chairman of the City of Houston's Food Insecurity Board, and serves as a Director in his local Municipal Utility District, being the first Muslim elected to a position in Fort Bend County. He completed his graduate studies in Homeland Security from The Bush School at Texas A&M. He is currently pursuing his Master's in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution with a focus on peacebuilding from Columbia University. Shariq's passion is finding intersections between communities for collaboration and mutual growth and loves to connect with like-minded people over chai or burgers. You can learn more at MinaretFoundation.com or by emailing him at shariq@minaretfoundation.com.