Muslim Faith Network
Faith Cube Cohort Program
Uniting the Ummah in Polarized Times
Executive Summary
The Faith Cube Cohort Program strengthens American Muslim communities by bridging divides across race, ethnicity, politics, and culture through the timeless wisdom of Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) Final Sermon. In an era of deepening toxic polarization, this cohort offers Muslim leaders a faith-rooted path toward unity through six selected Islamic values: Tazkiyah (Purification of the Self), Ikhtilaf (Diversity of Thought), Hurmah (Sanctity for All), Taqwa (Consciousness of God), Amanah (Trusting Each Other), and Ihsan (Excellence in Action). Twelve emerging Muslim leaders will participate in six virtual sessions and an in-person experience at the One America Movement 2026 Summit in Chicago.
The program includes a full scholarship to the Summit, giving participants a national platform to share insights and build bridges within the broader American Muslim community and interfaith spaces.
Mission
This cohort reflects the belief that strong Muslim communities strengthen America. It is guided by six Islamic values symbolically represented by the Faith Cube, inspired by the Holy Ka’ba, and grounded in the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) Final Sermon delivered at Hajjatul Wida (the Farewell Pilgrimage). The program demonstrates how these timeless prophetic principles promote human dignity and universal ethics. By applying them, participants gain a faith-rooted framework for addressing polarization and fostering unity in contemporary America.
Vision
Primary Goals
- Foster Unity Across Divides: Use Islamic faith values to address the racial, ethnic, political, and cultural divides within American Muslim faith leaders and communities, recognizing that toxic polarization weakens the ummah from within.
- Address Toxic Polarization: Equip Muslim leaders with Islamic-based approaches and practical skills to reduce polarization, heal divisions, and build understanding in their local communities by modeling how the six faces of the Faith Cube offer concrete alternatives to the contempt, dehumanization, and tribal thinking that characterize polarized environments.
- Apply Prophetic Wisdom: Ground contemporary community work in authentic Islamic principles from the Prophet’s Final Sermon, embodied through the six faces of the Faith Cube, demonstrating that our tradition already contains the spiritual and ethical resources needed to transcend divisive politics and build beloved community.
The Sacred Ka’aba: Our Spiritual Axis
The Faith Cube cohort is inspired by the Sacred Ka’aba in Mecca, built by Prophets Ibrahim and his son Ismael (peace be upon them), the qibla and spiritual axis for Muslims worldwide. We use the Ka’aba’s six faces, four walls, a floor, and a roof, as a symbolic framework for six selected Islamic values. These values are drawn from Islam’s broader moral tradition and are not presented as exhaustive or as theological counterparts to the Ka’aba, but as a practical lens for reflection and action. Just as the six faces together form a complete structure toward which all Muslims turn in prayer, this initiative applies these values to support a holistic approach to Muslim community life and engagement across differences. The Ka’aba unites over 1.8 billion Muslims regardless of geography, ethnicity, or nationality. Similarly, the Faith Cube seeks to foster unity among American Muslim communities amid growing toxic polarization along racial, political, and theological lines, reminding us that true cohesion emerges when we orient ourselves toward shared sacred values that transcend surface-level divisions.
The Prophet’s Final Sermon: Our Foundational Text
This historic sermon, delivered by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to over 100,000 Muslims, established foundational values of human dignity, community solidarity, and ethical living. These holy words remain powerfully relevant today, particularly as antidotes to the division and animosity that toxic polarization breeds.
“All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white—except by piety and good action.”
“O people! Every Muslim is the sibling of every other Muslim, and all the Muslims are one family. Nothing of their sibling is lawful for a Muslim except what they give willingly to the other.”
“Beware! Do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.”
Primary Goals
- Foster conversations across racial, ethnic, political, theological, and cultural divides
- Address toxic polarization, which is a spiritual crisis, using Islamic faith values
- Apply Quranic guidance and Prophetic wisdom in contemporary community leadership
Six Faces of the Faith Cube
Face One~Tazkiyah – Purification of the Self:
- The continuous process of self-reflection, spiritual growth, and inner purification that enables us to approach others with humility, self-awareness, and genuine openness. Before we can bridge external divides or address polarization in our communities, we must first address our own biases, prejudices, and ego-driven impulses that fuel “us vs. them” thinking.
Face Two ~Ikhtilaf – Diversity of Thought
- Recognizing that difference of opinion is not only natural but a mercy (rahmah) within the Muslim tradition. In contrast to polarization, which views disagreement as threat and seeks to eliminate difference, Ikhtilaf teaches us to engage respectfully with diverse theological, political, and cultural perspectives within the ummah, seeing intellectual diversity as a source of richness rather than division.
Face Three ~Hurmah – Sanctity for All
- Upholding the sacred dignity, honor, and rights of every human being as emphasized in the Final Sermon’s declaration of universal equality. Hurmah directly challenges the dehumanization and contempt that are hallmarks of toxic polarization, calling us to protect the sanctity of life, property, and reputation for all people, regardless of their background or beliefs.
Face Four ~Taqwa – Consciousness of God
- Maintaining God-consciousness in all our relationships and actions, recognizing that true superiority lies only in taqwa, as the Prophet declared in his Final Sermon. This awareness grounds our community-building efforts in spiritual accountability and ethical conduct, preventing the moral compromise that polarization often demands when we prioritize political or tribal loyalty over divine guidance.
Face Five ~Amanah – Trusting Each Other:
- Building trust through fulfilling our commitments, honoring our word, and safeguarding what others entrust to us—whether material possessions, confidences, or responsibilities. Amanah rebuilds the foundation of mutual confidence that toxic polarization systematically erodes, creating the foundation of reliability and mutual confidence necessary for bridging divides and working collaboratively across differences.
Face Six ~Ihsan – Excellence in Action
- Striving for excellence and beauty in all we do, treating others with kindness and generosity that goes beyond what is minimally required. Ihsan transforms our response to polarization from mere tolerance or grudging coexistence into genuine care and the pursuit of the highest good for all members of our communities, even those with whom we deeply disagree.
Faith Cube Advantages
Deepened Understanding of Prophetic Wisdom
- Engage deeply with six foundational Islamic values—Tazkiyah, Ikhtilaf, Hurmah, Taqwa, Amanah, and Ihsan—through study of the Prophet’s Final Sermon, learning how these timeless principles can guide community life and relationships across differences while resisting the pull of toxic polarization.
Capacity to Establish Faith-Centered Study Circles
- Gain the knowledge, curriculum resources, and ongoing mentorship to launch a Faith Cube study circle in your community, creating ongoing opportunities for Muslims to gather around shared prophetic values and practice alternatives to polarized discourse.
Meaningful Relationships with Fellow Leaders
- Build genuine connections with diverse Muslim leaders from across the country who share your commitment to strengthening the ummah, forming relationships grounded in mutual learning and spiritual growth that model bridge-building across differences.
Platform to Share Your Learning
- Access opportunities to reflect publicly on your journey and insights through the Muslim Faith Network’s channels, contributing to broader conversations about embodying Islamic values in contemporary American Muslim life and offering hope for communities fractured by polarization.
Immersive Summit Experience
- Join the One America Movement 2026 Summit in Chicago (April 27-29) with full scholarship support—including travel, accommodation, and halal meals—to learn from and connect with diverse faith leaders committed to building bridges across communities and addressing the challenges of toxic polarization in American religious life.
Expectations
Virtual Sessions: Six interactive 90-minute discussions exploring the six values, their contemporary applications, and strategies to address polarization.
In-Person Summit: Full scholarship to the One America Movement 2026 Summit (April 27-29, Chicago), including travel, accommodation, meals, and opportunities to engage with Muslim and interfaith leaders.
Individual Study & Reflection: Curated readings, reflective essays, and personal mentorship to integrate the Faith Cube values into local communities.
Community Action: Launch or participate in local or virtual Faith Cube study circles to foster unity and bridge divides within communities.
Program Timeline
- Program Overview Webinars: Mon, Feb 16 & Thu, Feb 19, 2026
- Application Deadline: Feb 27, 2026
- Participant Announcement: Mar 16, 2026
- Summit Experience: Apr 27-29, 2026
- Virtual Sessions: Mar–July 2026
- Optional Post-Cohort Reflection Dinner: TBD
Participant Selection
Who Should Apply
The program seeks twelve Muslim faith leaders working at the intersection of faith, community building, and bridging divides. We define Muslim faith leaders as individuals who are actively engaged in their local Muslim communities, demonstrate commitment to Islamic values, show potential for greater leadership impact, and are eager to develop skills and knowledge for strengthening the ummah across differences. This may include imams, scholars, chaplains, board members, executive committee members, community organizers, educators, religious leaders in training, youth leaders, nonprofit professionals, and others working to build stronger, more unified Muslim communities.
Note: Preference will be given to residents of the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) and Chicago, as these are the regions where the Muslim Faith Network currently has the strongest capacity to provide ongoing mentorship and support for launching local Faith Cube initiatives. However, qualified applicants from other regions are encouraged to apply.
Selection Criteria
Successful applicants will demonstrate the following qualities in their application materials:
- Deep Islamic Faith Commitment — Islam as a central part of personal, professional, and community identity
- Experience or Openness Across Differences — Demonstrated willingness to engage authentically and respectfully across racial, ethnic, political, cultural, and theological differences within Muslim communities and beyond
- Leadership Potential — Evidence of current or emerging community engagement and capacity to mobilize others toward positive change
- Commitment to Learning — Willingness to engage seriously with texts, participate actively in discussions, complete all program requirements, and apply learning in local contexts
- Accessibility — Open to Muslims of all ages and backgrounds; must be able to attend all six virtual sessions and the OAM Summit in April 2026
Note on Inclusivity: This cohort program warmly welcomes both men and women. The six faces of the Faith Cube—Tazkiyah, Ikhtilaf, Hurmah, Taqwa, Amanah, and Ihsan—are universal prophetic values that transcend gender, and we are committed to creating a space where all Muslim leaders can grow together in embodying these foundational principles.
Information
To learn more about the virtual sessions or the Faith Cube Cohort, you can:
~ Submit the Faith Cube form
~ Sign up for our newsletter
~ Email: Ibad@OneAmericaMovement.org
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.