As an Afghan refugee, who made it to the United States amid precarious international withdrawal from the country, Fazal Mumtaz quickly realized the way he could make a difference in the lives of the disadvantaged and displaced– an unflinching commitment to humanitarian service. America
“I came here as a refugee in 2021. I knew when you are a refugee, you don’t start from scratch but with a deficit,” he told Views News Now as a new non-profit organization ‘Sahara’ appointed him as their Chief Operating Officer. America
His latest appointment is just another role Mumtaz is already known for in the American humanitarian community. America
Mumtaz came to the United States prepared for such a role as he brought with him a unique skill set and vast experience. America
Besides, he was deeply conscious of the importance of the service as well as the message it emanates.
“I want to remove this misperception that American Muslims are just consumers or takers. We do a lot of work for communities and people of all backgrounds and races without any discrimination. Our service helps the country,” he said at the event, hosted by Pakistani American doctor Faisal Cheema in a D.C. suburb.
Mumtaz is a seasoned humanitarian leader and advocate for displaced communities, with extensive public sector experience. Most recently, he served as National Projects Director for ICNA Relief, where he led the creation of 25 refugee resource centers, supported over 43,000 individuals, and enabled more than 1,000 job placements. America
Born in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, Mumtaz and his family fled to Pakistan as refugees during a period of political upheaval.
After earning his degree in Economics in Pakistan, he returned to Afghanistan in 2013, advancing from an entry-level role to senior appointments in the Ministry of Finance and ultimately serving as Director of Government Expenditure Review for the government, demonstrating unwavering commitment to service.
“At Sahara Programs, we believe in leadership that not only drives operational excellence but also engages meaningfully with the nonprofit and public sectors,” said Salina Imam, Founder and Executive Director of Sahara Programs. “Mr. Mumtaz embodies these values, with a proven record of building multi-stakeholder partnerships and leading initiatives that align with our mission.”
Virginia Delegate Paul Krizek, who represents the State’s 16th District, expressed his appreciation for the work Sahara has set out to achieve and assured the organization of his support for its humanitarian objectives.
Haris Tarin, Vice President of Policy and Programming, Muslim Public Affairs Council, observed that Sahara deserves full support since the humanitarian work has grown even more important in the midst of shrinking federal grants. He said more than 3,000 non-profit organizations have been shut down due to lack of funding to support their operations.
Pakistani American community leaders Naila Alam, Councilwoman for the Town of Herndon, Syed Hussain and Madeha Baqai, CEO Ilm Initiative said they were confident in Fazal Mumtaz’s dedication and ability to deliver in the face of challenges and that his work would mark a significant step in expanding national reach and operational capacity of the organization.
“We welcome Mr. Mumtaz at a pivotal moment for Sahara Programs,” added Dr. Safdar Chaudhry, Chair of the Board of Directors. “His ability to scale impactful programs and forge collaborative partnerships will strengthen our operational foundation and help us meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.”
“Mr. Mumtaz’s appointment reflects our commitment to addressing the complex social and health challenges faced by underserved communities,” said Dr. Naved Khan, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Sahara Programs.
“His leadership will help ensure that our operational capacity matches the urgency and scale of the work ahead.”
“As COO, Mr. Mumtaz will focus on strengthening operational frameworks and impact measurement, ensuring Sahara Programs remains a cornerstone of positive change for the communities we serve,” the organization said.
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Ali Imran is a Washington-based journalist, who has worked for leading world news organizations as correspondent, expert and in editorial positions. He is a published author and poet.
Great introduction of Fazal Wahab and
best coverage of the event, I am an admirer
of Ali Imran talent He has made his space
in the Metro area. Good luck sir keep the
work.