July 31, 2012

Please join us in welcoming Jawaad Ali, one of MPAC’s summer government and policy interns in our Washington, DC, office. Ali is entering his third year as an undergraduate student at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, where he is majoring in global affairs with a concentration on the Middle East and North Africa. He is also pursuing a minor in intelligence analysis.

Born in Portland, Maine, Ali’s father is Pakistani and his mother is Afghan. Ali’s diverse family background has contributed to his ability to speak three languages -- Dari, Urdu and Pashto.

Ali always has been interested in working in law enforcement. He was a sergeant in the Fairfax County Law Enforcement Explorer Post program for two years, in which he took part in law enforcement training as well as volunteer at community service events. He was also selected to take part in the FBI’s Future Agents in Training program at the DC field office, where he participated in mock warrant drills and engaged with FBI agents. Ali got an inside look at the daily operations of the FBI and what it takes to become an agent.

Ali also attended this year’s Young Leaders Government Summit in DC, in which he met officials from government and civil society agencies such as Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the White House.

“My internship at MPAC and my experiences at the Young Leaders Government Summit have taught me that American Muslims are an integral part of American society, in which we must contribute and be involved by continuing to work hard and staying committed to our life long goals,” Ali said.

During his time as an intern with MPAC, Ali has attended events at public policy institutes such as the New America Foundation and has also contributed to MPAC’s 2012 Election Campaign, “My Faith, My Vote, My Future.”

Ali feels American Muslims should be proactive within their communities, because “American Muslims present a kind of diversity that is invaluable, especially when considering working alongside individuals with common goals and aspirations.”