Nabila Mansoor: Championing Muslim Civic Engagement in Texas
Executive Director of EMGAGE Texas
Nabila Mansoor is a dedicated civic leader and the executive director of EMGAGE Texas, an organization committed to ensuring that Muslim American voices are heard at all levels of state government. Residing in Fort Bend County near Houston, Mansoor works tirelessly to engage and empower Muslim communities in the democratic process.
Addressing Underrepresentation in Texas Politics
Texas has one of the largest Muslim populations in the country, yet none of its more than 180 state lawmakers identify as Muslim. This significant gap in representation has motivated organizations like EMGAGE Texas to advocate for greater civic participation within the Muslim community.
“EMGAGE is a civic engagement organization that is primarily dealing with ensuring that the Muslim American community is civically engaged in such a way that they know about elections and they know how important elections are,” Mansoor explained.
Advocacy in Action
Mansoor has actively engaged with lawmakers and state officials to highlight issues affecting Texas Muslims. Capturing lawmakers’ attention at a hearing during the Senate Special Committee on Redistricting, she testified via Zoom in Urdu—one of the top ten languages other than English spoken in Texas households. This act underscored the linguistic and cultural diversity of Texas and the need for inclusive policymaking.
EMGAGE’s Mission and Legislative Efforts
EMGAGE is a national organization that collaborates with state and local lawmakers to ensure Muslim communities are not left out of the policymaking process. The Texas chapter, under Mansoor’s leadership, has focused on key legislative initiatives, including:
- Making Eid an optional holiday
- Condemning human rights abuses
- Adding “Imams” to the list of individuals who can perform marriages, a bill that successfully passed in the House
Imad Ahmed, a colleague of Mansoor at EMGAGE, emphasizes that their advocacy aligns with Islamic values. “One of the central themes you see in Islam is this idea of helping out those who are marginalized, helping out those who are oppressed, helping out the poor,” he said.
Building Partnerships and Empowering Future Leaders
EMGAGE Texas does not work alone. According to the organization’s Texas Legislative Director, Richard Evans, they collaborate with other advocacy groups that share their mission. “I think that they all have a common theme to make sure that processes we have here in Texas are fair, for people of any race, creed, color, or religion,” Evans stated.
One of EMGAGE’s key programs is the Emerging Leaders initiative, which empowers young Muslim Americans to take an active role in government. Ayesha Muzaffar, a participant in the program, gained firsthand experience in policymaking through internships at the U.S. Capitol and the Texas Capitol with Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston). However, she faced challenges as one of the only visibly Muslim staff members, particularly during Ramadan when fasting was not widely understood by colleagues.
The Path to Greater Representation
Muzaffar reflects on the barriers to Muslim representation in the Texas Legislature, noting that the political environment can be challenging for those who prioritize patience, community service, and faith-based values over political maneuvering. Despite these obstacles, EMGAGE remains committed to increasing Muslim political representation. Currently, only one candidate identifying as Muslim has run for state office in Texas, a number that Mansoor and her team hope to change in the coming years.
A Vision for the Future
Under Mansoor’s leadership, EMGAGE Texas continues to break barriers and create opportunities for Muslim Americans to have a stronger voice in their government. Through voter education, advocacy, and leadership development, EMGAGE is working toward a future where Texas Muslims are not only engaged in civic life but are also active decision-makers shaping policies that impact their communities.
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Contact: mansoor.nabila@gmail.com
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