Announcing Dr. Dilara Sayeed Stepping Down as President of the Muslim Civic Coalition
Chicago, IL – January 21, 2026 – We write today with deep gratitude and clarity to share a leadership transition that has been part of the Coalition succession plan since inception.
After 10 years of dedicated and inspiring service as part of the founding team, Dr. Dilara Sayeed will be stepping down as President of the Muslim Civic Coalition, effective January 30, 2026.
Dilara will continue to be a Board Member of both the Muslim Civic Coalition (501c3) and the Muslim Civic Coalition-Activate (501c4), ensuring continuity, institutional memory, strategic vision, and ongoing stewardship.
This transition comes with full confidence in the Coalition’s strength, leadership pipeline, and future direction. Under Dilara’s leadership and nurturing, the Muslim Civic Coalition has grown from a bold vision into a nationally recognized civic institution.
During her tenure, the Coalition:
Mobilized 150+ partner and ally organizations across diverse faith, race, and backgrounds to advance justice and strengthen civic power. Today, we have one of the largest and most diverse Muslim and ally civic leadership networks in the country -ready to respond to pressing needs.
Launched and scaled successful leadership fellowships, candidate pipelines, and civic education programs to increase capacity in our community members. 98% of the 2025 Fellows stated their experience with the Coalition was "powerful" or "very powerful". The Coalition has nurtured a diverse and talented team who will continue this work.
Recruited, hired, and fully staffed an empowered and diverse team. The Advocacy and Policy initiative led the passing of over 9 bills into law, and supported over 25 bills by partners and allies - at local, state, and federal levels. These bills protect us, increase services to those who need them, and help every family thrive. The Voter Education and Turnout initiative has one of the strongest systems of grassroots civic engagement strategy and execution. All departments work in cohesion to serve our diverse communities.
Ensured successful fiscal sustainability through recurring grants, donors, and sponsorships. Dilara also initiated a Halal-compliant endowment that has an annual contribution of 5-10% of revenue, plus growth.
Responded to moments of crisis with principled leadership, narrative clarity, and respectful coalition-building. Dilara has elevated American Muslim civic participation while strengthening relationships with broader American neighbors across diverse races, faiths, and backgrounds.
This work was not without challenge. Dilara led through periods of political polarization, rising Islamophobia, disinformation, resource constraints, and community trauma - while insisting on integrity, courage, and a long-term vision for civic power-building rooted in values.
The Coalition is stable, well-resourced, and poised for its next phase of impact. We are profoundly grateful to Dr. Dilara Sayeed for her leadership, sacrifice, and belief in what Muslim civic power can accomplish when it is principled, strategic, and people-centered.
Dilara’s decision to step down reflects both completion and calling: completion of a foundational chapter for the Coalition, an opportunity to model strength in leadership succession and transition, and a calling to bring her experience to new arenas of service where humanitarian relief, policy, and national/global solidarity intersect.