Our Fellows

Sadia Ahsanuddin New York, New York
Education: BA, History, Harvard University
Fellowship Topic: Domestic Drones; Surveillance

Sadia Ahsanuddin is a graduate of Harvard University. Since graduating, Sadia's work has mostly related to law and public policy. Over the past several years, Sadia has worked at three think tanks and interned at the United Nations. At the Berkman Center for Internet and Society, Sadia researched and drafted a paper on the effect of the Internet on Iranian society. This paper was presented at an international conference. Afterward, Sadia interned with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, where she attended meetings of the General Assembly and drafted reports on the meetings for her supervisors.

Sadia then worked with the Brennan Center for Justice, where she focused on local law enforcement responses to terrorism, racial/religious profiling, government transparency, and safeguarding constitutional rights after 9/11. Most recently, Sadia has been working with the Muslim Public Affairs Council as a Research Fellow, where she developed guidelines for the operation of domestic drones. Her report on domestic drone regulations is the first of its kind from an American Muslim organization. Sadia is the only MPAC Fellow who has been offered two Fellowships. Her second paper will be on surveillance and New York City's Muslim population.

"I have really enjoyed my experience working with the Muslim Public Affairs Council. I have long sustained an interest in the effect new technologies have on civil liberties and was excited to be addressing domestic drones. Through this fellowship, I developed a research question, investigated it, and reached out to allies at other organizations to make a concrete contribution to the discussion on drones. MPAC gave me the flexibility and guidance I needed to craft my own project. I look forward to seeing what future MPAC fellows produce. "

Ilhan Cagri Silver Spring, MD
Education: BA, Sociology, University of Maryland
                      PhD, Theoretical Linguistics, University of
                    Maryland
Fellowship Topic: Human Rights-Sharia Report Card

In addition to curriculum design and teaching at the university level, Dr. Cagri has held positions in university administration, and has conducted research both in academia and for the US government. Her professional experience includes organizational development and training. Having lived and worked in Afghanistan, Turkey and the UAE, Dr. Cagri has knowledge and insight into how cultural norms affect organizations, businesses and social issues. One of the businesses founded by Dr. Cagri provided cultural and diversity training in the U.S. and for businesspeople working overseas. She has helped found a Muslim homeless shelter in Washington, DC and a Muslim women's organization tackling domestic violence.

Dr. Cagri's passion is promoting social justice and human rights. Her current project as a MPAC Fellow is a study on human rights compliance under sharia law. The outcome of the project will be a human rights report card based on 38 factors for countries whose constitutions and governments are purportedly based on and follow Islamic sharia principles. The detailed report will inform policy makers and the general Muslim and non-Muslim population as to what Islamic governance should mean and the reality of that governance on the ground.

"Working with MPAC allowed me to broaden my horizons and to see the possibilities offered by sophisticated and diverse civic engagement."

Nausherwan Hafeez Gainesville, FL
Education: BA, History and Int'l Studies, New College of Florida
                      PhD Candidate, Political Science, University of Florida
Fellowship Topic: International Drones

Nausherwan Hafeez is a doctoral student in Political Science at the University of Florida. After earning a bachelor's degree in History and International Studies from New College of Florida, he taught in rural Malaysia for a year as a Fulbright Scholar. He also taught for two years in inner-city Baltimore as part of his commitment to Teach for America. He has received Master’s degrees from both the University of Chicago and Johns Hopkins University. His current research at UF focuses on US foreign policy, Pakistan, and the War on Terror.

 "The MPAC Fellowship has provided me with an opportunity to explore in depth the use of drones in U.S. foreign policy. Through an extensive peer-reviewed process, I've completed a policy paper on the use of drones and developed a deeper understanding of this instrument of U.S. foreign policy."

For more by Nausherwan, visit his blog, Freedom Cafe. Follow him on Twitter at @NaushHafeez

Nicholas Hoffman Hyattsville, MD
Education: BA, Gov't & Politics, University of Maryland
                    MA Candidate, Conflict Mgmnt & Int'l Law,
                    Johns Hopkins University
Fellowship Topic: Human Rights-Sharia Report Card

Since August 2012, Nicolas Alexander Hoffman has been working at MPAC on an ongoing publication dealing with the role of human rights within Islam. Additionally, he has written memos on issues ranging from the effects of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, the role of freedom of speech in the various Egyptian draft constitutions, funding of Proof of Concept Centers, and the purchasing power of American Muslims.

His body of ongoing work first started as a research intern, which shortly thereafter turned into a fellowship. Not only does he serve as the role of a fellow, he also is the photographer for MPAC DC's events.

Nick obtained a bachelor's degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland College Park (UMDCP). At UMDCP, his studies focused on international relations and comparative politics. Aside from studying, he was an active member in his college Muslim Student Association and the Bangladeshi Student Association. In the fall of 2013, he started a Master's degree program at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies focusing on conflict management, negotiations, and international law.

"Working for MPAC has given me the opportunity to work human rights issues within the context of Islam, which has shed light on my own religion and has given me the toolset needed to effectively talk about Islam. Not only has this fellowship been personally enlightening, but has also prepared me for the rigors of professional grade research."

 




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