In this powerful episode of The Muslim Nonprofit Show with Dr. Tayyab Yunus, we hear the inspiring story of Jaime “Mujahid” Fletcher — a former gang leader from Houston who found Islam, embraced it fully, and went on to found Islam in Spanish.

What began as an effort to help his father understand Islam blossomed into an international movement that produced over 350 audiobooks, hundreds of TV episodes, and the first Latino-led Islamic center in America.

His story is raw, honest, and packed with lessons for anyone thinking about launching a nonprofit, solving a social problem, or simply trying to walk a better path.

Brother Mujahid shares how his past led to his purpose, how media became his tool for dawah, and how staying true to the signs from Allah kept him moving forward — from handing out CDs in parks to running a state-of-the-art production studio and masjid in his old neighborhood.

🎧 Tune in and don’t forget to 🔔 subscribe for future episodes with nonprofit founders, Islamic scholars, and sector experts.

📌Connect and Follow Dr. Tayyab Yunus:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/tayyabyunus/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/tayyabyunus
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@tayyabyunus

🔗 Connect and follow Jaime ‘Mujahid’ Fletcher:
LinkedIn: https://www.facebook.com/mujahid.fletcher

00:00 – Intro: A former gang leader’s journey to Islam
01:12 – From Columbia to Houston: The early years
02:45 – Converting to Islam weeks before 9/11
04:30 – The need for Spanish-language Islamic material
06:10 – Giving da’wah to his father and community
08:25 – Recording the first Islam in Spanish audio CD
11:00 – His wife's aunt converts on her deathbed
13:15 – Building momentum: Da’wah from mosques to parks
15:50 – Facing resistance from the Muslim community
17:30 – Media outreach and the power of storytelling
19:10 – Creating the Islam in Spanish Center
21:00 – Designing a mosque for converts and community
22:45 – Impacting youth, police, and the wider society
24:15 – Final reflections: Just take the next step
25:00 – Closing & invitation to visit the center

Jaime Mujahid Fletcher’s journey is a reminder that the most powerful solutions often begin with personal pain. Islam in Spanish wasn’t a plan — it was a response to need, guided by signs from Allah and fueled by action. May Allah continue to bless this effort and inspire many more through it.
#IslamInSpanish #ConvertStory #LatinoMuslims #MuslimPodcast #RevertToIslam #Daawah #MuslimStories #IslamInAmerica #HoustonMuslims #FaithJourney #TheMuslimNonprofitShow #TayyabYunus #Podcast #MuslimPodcast

In this inspiring episode of The Muslim Nonprofit HSow with Tayyab Yunus, we sit down with Dr. Iltafat Hamzawi—a respected physician, mentor, and changemaker—who shares his deeply personal journey from post-9/11 adversity to becoming a leader in nonprofit advocacy and governance.

Dr. Hamzawi reflects on what it means to find your current in life, how misinformation and fear shaped his drive to tell the truth, and how American Muslims can build lasting institutions rooted in both purpose and professionalism. From founding the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) to advocating for inclusive leadership, this conversation offers practical tools for anyone feeling lost or floating—especially those in early-stage nonprofits.

A must-listen for community builders, aspiring leaders, and anyone passionate about faith, justice, and positive disruption.

🎧 Tune in and don’t forget to 🔔 subscribe for future episodes with nonprofit founders, Islamic scholars, and sector experts.

📌Connect and Follow Dr. Tayyab Yunus:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/tayyabyunus/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/tayyabyunus
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@tayyabyunus

🔗 Connect and follow Dr. Iltafat Hamzawi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iltefat-hamzavi-03832a57/

00:00 - Intro: Floating in the Ocean & Finding Your Current

00:56 - Meeting Dr. Iltafat Hamzawi: Doctor, Mentor, Changemaker

02:24 - How 9/11 Sparked a Mission for Truth and Representation

04:40 - Founding ISPU: From Idea to Institution

06:12 - Challenges of Building Muslim-Led Nonprofits

07:55 - Importance of Governance, Alignment, and Long-Term Planning

09:18 - Staying Mission-Focused & Leaving a Legacy

11:10 - Redefining Sadaqah: Disrupting Traditional Philanthropy

13:12 - Advice for Early-Stage Nonprofits & Board Members

15:18 - Embracing Identity: Proudly Muslim, American, and South Asian

17:05 - Wisdom for the Next Generation of Leaders

18:20 - Closing Reflections & Du'a

Dr. Iltafat Hamzawi’s journey is a powerful reminder that finding your path isn’t about waiting for clarity—it’s about moving with intention through the currents Allah ﷻ places in your life. Whether you’re just starting or already leading a mission-driven organization, this episode offers practical wisdom, spiritual grounding, and heartfelt encouragement. May we all strive to leave behind more than just transactions, but legacies that uplift our communities and reflect our faith.


#MuslimVoices #SocialImpact #LeadershipMatters #FaithInAction #NonprofitLeadership #DrIltafatHamzawi #TruthTelling #AmericanMuslims #Dr.TayyabYunus #Themuslimnonprofitshow

What happens when a masjid is built—but no one comes?

In this inspiring and thought-provoking episode, Dr. Jihad Turk shares his personal journey: from a disconnected Muslim teen in Arizona, to a dedicated student of knowledge in Medina, to becoming a community builder in California.

He didn’t just ask why Muslims weren’t coming to the masjid—he built a movement to bring them back.

This is a must-listen for masjid founders, board members, and community leaders wondering how to bridge the gap between tradition and connection in today’s world.

🎧 Tune in and don’t forget to 🔔 subscribe for future episodes with nonprofit founders, Islamic scholars, and sector experts.

📌Connect and Follow Dr. Tayyab Yunus:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/tayyabyunus/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/tayyabyunus
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@tayyabyunus

🔗 Connect and follow Dr. Jihad Turk:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jihadmturk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jihad-turk-ed-d-7920ba6/

00:00 - Welcome and Intro: Why Muslims Aren’t Coming to the Masjid

01:45 - Dr. Jihad Turk's Early Life & Spiritual Search

06:30 - The Power of Mentorship & Finding Authentic Islamic Knowledge

10:20 - Leaving Engineering to Pursue Islamic Studies

14:10 - Studying in Medina During the Gulf War

18:00 - The Aha Moment in Medina: Finding Purpose & Inner Peace

21:40 - Returning to the U.S. and Facing a Harsh Masjid Culture

24:05 - Discovering the Gap: 300 Muslims at a Party, Not the Masjid

25:40 - Creating a Third Space: Amila is Born

29:10 - How Quran Reflections Opened Hearts

32:00 - Legacy of Amila: 20 Years of Learning and Activism

35:15 - Elevator Advice That Changed His Leadership Forever

37:00 - Closing Reflections & What’s Coming in Part 2

#MuslimCommunity #MasjidCulture #IslamInAmerica #SpiritualJourney #ThirdSpaces #MuslimLeadership #MedinaToCalifornia #FaithAndActivism #FoundersJourney