Empowering Muslims in Richmond, Virginia.
In the summer of 2023, a handful of Muslims with a wide range of experience in political and civic engagement began discussing a crucial need of the Richmond Muslim community - an organization dedicated to empowering and advocating on behalf of Muslims throughout central Virginia. That need grew more apparent as civilian casualties skyrocketed in Palestine, freedom of expression was being denied across university campuses, and the 2024 presidential elections approached. Many Muslims felt a profound sense of disillusionment and lack of representation from their elected officials. But they also wanted change, and they were ready to work for it.
In 2024, the Virginia Muslim Civic League formed to educate Muslims about the political process, facilitate their engagement in civic life, and advocate for greater representation. In the short time since its inception, the VMCL has contacted public officials about important issues facing our community, held educational forums, and organized the community to amplify Muslim voices.
There is so much more work to be done, but the VMCL is committed to seeing it through. Join us and be a part of the solution.
Meet the team.
Dr. Razi Ali
Razi is the Vice President, Medical Director State and Federal for Wellpath.
Founding Board Member
Asif Bhavnagri
Asif serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor of the City of Richmond. He has previously served as the Assistant Secretary of Administration under former Governor Ralph Northam and a Policy Advisory to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security under Governor Terry McAuliffe.
Founding Board Member
Mariah Dar
Founding Board Member
Mariah is an associate professor of accounting at Brightpoint Community College and Senior Accountant at Warren Whitney.
Dr. Tarek Elganainy
Board Member
Dr. Tarek is a chiropractor and owner of Chiropractic & Family Wellness PC. He frequently serves the Richmond Muslim community by giving Friday khutbahs, leading educational programming, and mentoring youth.
Ali Faruk
Ali is a Senior Policy Analyst at the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. He has nearly 15 years of public policy experience, working as the Director of Public Policy at organizations such as Families Forward Virginia and Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia and serving as a legislative assistant to Delegate Sam Rasoul. In 2024, Ali announced his candidacy to Richmond City School Board.
Founding Board Member
Mona Siddiqui, Ph.D.
Mona is a civil rights attorney who previously worked in the Civil Rights Division of Attorney General Mark Herring and served in the Office of New Americans under Governor Ralph Northam.
Founding Board Member
Charles Turner, Ph.D.
Charles has been a member of the Richmond Muslim community for nearly 15 years. He served as the President of the Muslim Students Association at Virginia Commonwealth University, Secretary and Vice President at the Islamic Center of Virginia, and Muslim Life Coordinator at the University of Richmond. He recently completed his doctoral studies in political science at the University of Utah, specializing in interpretive research methodology and American political behavior. Charles previously worked as a legislative assistant to Virginia state senator Ghazala Hashmi.