IMPACT (Inclusive Muslim Program for Awareness, Community, and Tolerance)

IMPACT (Inclusive Muslim Program for Awareness, Community, and Tolerance)

Project Focus: Muslim student belonging and inclusion.

Target Audience and Location: Muslim students in the Anoka-Hennepin school district in Minnesota.

Vision: School communities understand and honor Muslim students’ needs so that all students feel welcomed and valued.

Mission: To engage school staff and faculty in how they can meet Muslim student’s needs through education and advocacy.

Project Description: Scholar Kamar Sati and educator Virginia Brown Acevez developed IMPACT to address the challenges Muslim students face in their school district, especially related to their religious and cultural needs. The project aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment by educating faculty and staff about the unique needs of Muslim students, including the need for Eid to be recognized on the school calendar so that Muslim students do not need to miss school to observe this important holiday.

Through professional development sessions and workshops, IMPACT engages educators in learning how to better support Muslim students while building understanding and inclusion. The project also advocates with district administration with the goal of adding Eid to the school calendar. By raising awareness of Muslim student’s cultural and religious practices, the project works to foster an environment where all Muslim students feel a strong sense of belonging and can fully participate in their education without compromising their culture and faith.

As a student leader, Kamar is most proud that “we’ve made tremendous progress toward policy change with my district and formed a strong partnership with the Brooklyn Park Islamic Center.”