Faizan Syed
Faizan Syed is the Executive Director of the Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Austin & Dallas Fort Worth, Texas (CAIR-TX). CAIR-TX is a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. He began his new role on October 14th, 2019, after being the Director of the Missouri Chapter of CAIR for 8-years.
Faizan was born in Lahore, Pakistan, and moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1992. He attended Kirkwood High School and was the Vice-President of his senior class. He then studied at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. During his sophomore year, he witnessed the Iowa Caucus, which helped him decide to change his degree from Astronomy to Political Science. He graduated with a degree in Political Science in 2010. Upon graduation, he returned to St. Louis and was offered the position of Executive Director for CAIR-Missouri, becoming one of the youngest Executive Directors of CAIR.
Video: Relying on Inspiration & Hope: Meet Faizan Syed, the New CAIR-Texas DFW Director
Faizan is also a co-founder of A Continuous Charity Foundation, the first Muslim charity empowering American Muslims to pursue higher education through College preparatory courses and providing interest-free student loans.
Faizan is passionate not only about defending civil rights, combating bigotry, and building a world in which all people are treated with compassion and respect but also about empowering the American Muslim community. He has helped launch and supports various Muslim charities and causes.
Faizan is a professional and inspiring public speaker who routinely gives informative and engaging presentations at Universities, Schools, religious institutions, youth programs, and much more. He’s a regular speaker on T.V., Radio, Print, and Online media outlets providing insight on various topics.
While serving as Director of CAIR-MO, Faizan witnessed the aftermath of the Joplin Mosque Arson, the repeated defeat of Missouri’s anti-Sharia legislation, the defeat of the anti-BDS legislation twice, the Ferguson protests, and more. He has worked to bring justice to countless families suffering discrimination. Faizan is not afraid of engaging with all people regardless of political beliefs and potential hostility. He was thrust into the media spotlight in 2016 when he passed out doughnuts at a Trump rally in St. Louis to engage in conversations and build bridges with Trump supporters. He is more than happy to dialogue with people who have different opinions because he fundamentally believes that the best way to build bridges is by actually building bridges with those who think differently than you.
Faizan believes in training and inspiring the next generation to be unapologetic leaders and game changers. He rejects the tired and old methods of lecturing to death young people and “training the youth to be future leaders.” Instead, he believes in providing comprehensive and highly engaging leadership training methods and inspiration to have young Muslims be leaders starting today. His innovative leadership program has impacted hundreds of young Muslims, and he hopes to expand the methodology nationwide.
Faizan is a serial entrepreneur for good. He has helped launch and been a part of various charities and non-profits. He is most proud of being the co-founder of A Continous Charity Foundation (ACC). The first and only charity providing interest-free student loans for higher education. The vision to bring about a generation of graduates that will have a strong Muslim identity and be well-versed in their fields, using both for the benefit of mankind.
Faizan firmly believes that history doesn’t repeat itself, but in reality, human nature never changes. Every nation and time will have its struggles and injustices, and we do not choose the time and place we live but how we respond to injustice and inequity.