Photos by Cherrie Hanson

U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) delivered the keynote speech at  the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Foundation Gala Oct. 5. Born and raised in Detroit to Palestinian immigrants, she is known for her progressive leadership on environmental justice, affordable housing, healthcare and civil rights.

A lead organizer of the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Foundation’s inaugural gala, Sheila Badwan of Franklin, scanned the packed ballroom of Milwaukee’s Pfister Hotel last Friday night. Everyone was dressed to the nines—all 500 of them. Men donned dark suits; women wore floor-length gowns, many gold and black, the event’s theme colors. They greeted each other warmly.

Badwan is glad they chose the Pfister as the location for their first gala, she told the Wisconsin Muslim Journal Wednesday. The luxurious hotel, built in 1893 and billed as “the Grand Hotel of the West,” provided a sophisticated atmosphere. “It is where presidents stay when they come to town,” she said. “We have never had a community event there before.” 

As she gazed across the room, Badwan was struck by the diversity of the guests. “Such a diverse crowd from all different groups!” the WMCF board treasurer exclaimed. Muslims from the Burmese-Rohingya Society, Masjid Al Qur’an, the Islamic Dawah Center, Masjid Al-Huda, the three masjids of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee: ISM Main, Masjid Al-Noor in Brookfield and ISM University on the campus of the University of Wisconsin, and more.

Twenty-two elected officials mingled among the crowd, including State representatives, judges, mayors, county supervisors and alderpersons. “The diversity made it so powerful,” she said. “You could feel the power, love and energy in the room. People were there I’ve never seen engaged politically before.”

Wisconsin Muslim Civic Foundation Gala opened with a Qur’an recitation by Mustafa Zaibak (at the podium). Hamza Zuberi provided a translation.

In a phone call with WMJ Thursday, WMCF board president Mushir Hassan, M.D., of Brookfield said what he “really loved about the whole event was that the bulk of people stayed for the entire program because they were engaged and enthralled.”

In a recap of the evening, WMCF executive director Fauzia Qureshi agreed. “Seeing everyone engaged from the time they walked in to when they gave U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) a standing ovation at the end of the night made for a memorable evening. It was everything we hoped it would be and more.

“We had a long waiting list,” Qureshi noted. “It could have been far more. Lots of people contacted members of the Gala Committee and the board, trying to get one or two tickets but we were at capacity and couldn’t increase the numbers at the Pfister to squeeze anybody in.” 

“It really exceeded expectations,” Hassan said. “The Gala Committee did a great job with planning and execution.”

WMCF’s 2025 gala, with the theme “Building Bridges for a Better Future,” aimed to celebrate Wisconsin’s Muslim community, build connections and encourage Muslims’ civic engagement, organizers said. It appears to have succeeded on all fronts.

Left to right, WMCF executive director Fauzia Qureshi and WMCF board treasurer Sheila Badwan honored Wisconsin Civic Power Table, Islamic Society of Milwaukee and Brother Will Perry for their work with Wisconsin’s Muslim Community.

Showcasing Wisconsin’s newest Muslim nonprofit organization

One of the objectives the Gala Planning Committee had for the evening was to showcase the work WMCF has accomplished since its founding, when it received 501(c) (3) nonprofit status in Ramadan (end of February – March). A video spotlighted some of its key activities, which included: 

  • The Muslim Survey: A statewide survey on the needs, challenges and experiences of Wisconsin’s Muslims to share with elected officials and institutions and to use to guide WMCF and WMCA’s advocacy and outreach;
  • A series of educational webinars on topics related to civic engagement;
  • Advocacy Day: Providing training and actual experience to Muslim Wisconsinites on advocating for legislation in the interest of the Muslim community.
  • Muslim Heritage Month: Lobbying for recognition of Muslim Heritage Month statewide and in various jurisdictions and hosting educational community events and celebrations.

WMCF executive director Fauzia Qureshi began preparations in June for the inaugral gala.

Coming up in April, a High School Civics Competition is planned to be held at the Franklin Public Library. Muslim high school students will compete for prizes by testing their knowledge of government, history and civic life. “This is one of our most exciting initiatives. It’s a fun way to encourage students to learn about government, policy and civic engagement,” said Qureshi. “Alongside it, we’ll develop an advocacy project with the students so they can literally put their learning into action. 

“And we are working with partners to take high school students to Washington, D.C., for leadership and advocacy training. We want to prepare the next generation of Muslim leaders to navigate civic spaces and make sure their voices are heard.”

“Our key focus is to make sure we have a good sense of what the Muslim community needs,” WMCF board president Hassan explained. “We’ve got an excellent team that’s got a really good pulse on the needs of the Muslim community.

“We also want to do a good job of educating folks in our community about how to be civically engaged and to raise awareness in the greater community of Muslim neighbors,” he said. “We do the latter through multiple events in Ramadan and during Muslim Heritage Month.”

Left to right, Amir Chaudri, D.O., Waleed Najeeb, M.D., and WMCF board president Mushir Hassan, M.D.

The gala provided “another opportunity to energize people,” Hassan added. “In one of my remarks, I said, ‘Look, we’ve got 500 people in the room. We need to get 500 people to find something in the nonprofit sector they are really motivated about. That way, we will be in 500 different rooms and boards advocating for our needs. We need to get people off WhatsApp and into the community!”

Echoing that sentiment, Qureshi said, “Right now, we need to make sure the community becomes more involved in building political power in Wisconsin. We are the organization to do it. People can be involved in many capacities—volunteering, making donations, being on a committee and participating in events. We had 1,000 people attend our World Culture Fair, which was part of Muslim Heritage Month. 

“The other thing we need to do is build bridges. Making partnerships is how you actually succeed, making sure we’re not working in silos. We’ve had many partners already.” 

Honoring community members and partners

Among the most special moments of the night for WMCF executive director Qureshi were “presenting awards to Brother Will and to ISM.”

“Brother Will (Perry) received the Lifetime Bridge Builder Award, recognizing his incredible dedication and leadership. He was so taken aback that he was tearing up as he walked to the stage. It was an honor to give him this award.” 

Perry stands out for his involvement across groups within and without the Wisconsin Muslim Community, she said. “He attends everyone’s events and helps in every corner of the community.

“Honoring the Islamic Society of Milwaukee with the ‘Pillar of the Muslim Community Award’ was also amazing,” she said. “ISM was recognized for its continuous support and service to our community.”

Quereshi said she was also pleased to recognize the Wisconsin Civic Power Table with the first annual Bridge Builder Award. WCPT is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that works to build civic engagement and political power, primarily for marginalized communities. It provides funding, resources and networking opportunities to partner organizations.

Brother Will Perry accepts the WMCF Lifetime Bridge Builder Award for his engagement through the Greater Milwaukee Muslim community.

Addressing the challenges

When selecting speakers for the inaugural gala, WMCF’s Gala Committee and Board wanted leaders of national stature who would inspire Wisconsin Muslims to rise to the challenge of our difficult times, Badwan said.

The featured speaker Khaled A. Beydoun, a legal scholar and an associate professor of law at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Conner College of Law and a Scholar-in-Residence at the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University spoke about American Islamophobia, a topic he has written about in three books. “We’re seeing a huge rise in Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate,” Badwan said. 

From left to right, Islamic Society of Milwaukee’s Executive Director Othman Atta and President Salah Sarsour receive the WMCF Pillar of the Muslim Community for ISM’s continuous and consistent support of the Muslim community.

The keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib and a big draw for WMCF’s gala. “In addition to being Muslim, she’s an elected official. She also represents being Palestinian. We wanted someone who would inspire us,” Badwan said. 

And she did! Badwan said. “Her speech made people cry. Marquette University Professor Emeritus Barrett McCormick, who is a representative with Hanan Refugee Relief Organization, told Badwan that Tlaib’s speech “gave him hope that things will be ok. We just need to keep fighting,” she said.

“Rep. Rashida’s comments and her personal story about facing all the obstacles she’s faced and overcome was the highlight of the night,” Hassan said. “She’s been such a strong and courageous leader.”

“Her speech was heartfelt, powerful and moving,” Qureshi said. “She spoke about Palestine and other issues that matter to us. She too became emotional at times. The standing ovation she received when she was done said it all.”

Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib received a standing ovation for her “passionate, moving, heartfelt speech,” said WMCF executive director Fauzia Qureshi. 

WMCF 2025 Gala Photo Album