Muslim Faith Network
Cultivating Unity Through Compassion
Rooted in the Holy Quran and the Sacred traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Muslim Faith Network supports Muslim community leaders in responding to the spiritual crisis of toxic polarization through ummah-centered values that embody compassion, stimulate conversations, and advance faith-driven bridgebuilding toward a healthier democracy in America.
Who We Are
The Muslim Faith Network is an initiative dedicated to addressing toxic polarization within the Muslim community and fostering shared values across the ummah while respecting the integrity of each tradition. Inspired by the compassion of Allah Almighty, as expressed in the Holy Quran—“My Mercy encompasses all things…” (Quran 7:156)—and by the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), whom God sent “as a mercy to the worlds” (Quran 21:107), we strive to embody and extend this compassion in our work. Our mission is to empower faith leaders, community members, and One America Movement hubs to bridge divides and strengthen social cohesion within American society. By engaging both within Muslim communities and with other faith traditions, we aim to reinforce the bonds that uphold a compassionate and resilient democracy.
What We Believe
We believe that God’s mercy is boundless, and Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) mission as a “mercy to the worlds” calls us to foster unity rooted in compassion. The Muslim Faith Network upholds that every leader has a sacred duty to embody and extend mercy. As a part of The One America Movement, we honor theological and cultural distinctions, addressing toxic polarization through conversation, community action, and a shared commitment to our core faith values. Our network seeks to cultivate mercy within leaders, empowering them to extend it to others and uphold it as a sacred trust, strengthening our society’s ability to continue engaging with one another despite our differences.
Core Values
- Tazkiyah – Purification of the Self
- Ikhtilaf – Diversity of Thought
- Hurmah – Sanctity for All
- Taqwa – Consciousness of God
- Amanah – Trusting Each Other
- Ihsan – Excellence in Action
Muslim Faith Network: What We Offer
Intra-Faith & Multi-Faith Initiatives: Engage in workshops, conversations, and service projects that address polarization within the Muslim community and create meaningful bonds with other faith communities.
Structured Learning and Leadership Development: Take part in our Faith Cube Cohort and other cohort-based programs designed to equip you with skills for compassionate, faith-driven leadership, while engaging with other Muslim faith leaders across divides.
Supportive Community and Network Resources: Access resources and support to implement community initiatives, backed by the tools and guidance of One America Movement.
Ways to Get Involved
Introduction to Compassionate Leadership & Unity: Learn about faith-driven unity and compassionate leadership to address polarization by exploring One America Movement’s resources, subscribing to updates, and joining our conversations and events.
Community Conversations & Listening Circles: Muslim leaders and community members will build trust and counter toxic polarization by participating in open and respectful community conversations and listening circles that foster understanding.
Join the Faith Cube Leadership Cohort: This in-depth training cohort empowers dedicated Muslim leaders with compassionate leadership skills to address toxic polarization, apply learnt techniques and tools grounded in Islamic faith values, and share them with their community through workshops and collaboration.
Join the Muslim Faith Network
Shaykh Ibad Wali
Shaykh Ibad Wali serves as the Senior Muslim Advisor for the One America Movement, where he advances national intra-faith efforts by developing and expanding the Muslim Faith Network and supports multi-faith collaboration by working alongside diverse faith leaders across divides.
He continues to provide leadership and subject-matter oversight for the Halal Certification initiative of Majlis Ash-Shura: Islamic Leadership Council of New York, developed in partnership with the NYC Department of Education. In this capacity, he has helped design and implement systems that support halal compliance across more than 118 New York City public school kitchens, the Department of Correction, and the Administration for Children’s Services. He has also served as the Muslim Chaplain at Hofstra University and remains actively engaged in chaplaincy work, pastoral care, and interfaith initiatives throughout the tri-state area. His areas of scholarly specialization include providing Islamic guidance on the Islamic Law of Inheritance.
Shaykh Ibad serves on the Board of Directors of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of New York (CAIR-NY), an organization dedicated to protecting civil rights, promoting justice, and empowering American Muslims. He previously served as Executive Director and Resident Scholar of Hillside Islamic Center in New York, where, as the Chartered Organization Representative, he established Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts programs serving the New Hyde Park community.
He completed the rigorous seven-year Islamic Seminary (‘Ālimiyyah) program in 2011 at Darul Uloom New York and the Institute of Islamic Education in Illinois, earning multiple certifications (ijāzāt) across Islamic sciences and their methodologies. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and in Business and Liberal Arts from Queens College (CUNY), as well as a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the CUNY Graduate Center. He also received formal chaplaincy training through the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at North Shore University Hospital.