Reza Nekumanesh

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT REZA NEKUMANESH

In addition to serving as the Executive Director of the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno, Hajj Reza Nekumanesh serves as the Chair of the Clergy Caucus of Fresno, as a Board Member of the largest interfaith organization in California, Faith in the Valley, as Vice-President of the Shia Muslim Council, as the General Secretary of the Central Valley Islamic Council (an organization consisting of more than 50 Muslim leaders in the Central Valley working for unity and cooperation) and as a member of the Human Rights Coalition of the Central Valley, the Mayor\'s Faith Based Cabinet, the Police Chief\'s Community Advisory Board, and as a sitting member of another half dozen interfaith and social justice organizations. In 2018, Reza was honored the \"Way of Peace\" award from the Fresno Center for Non-Violence for his work to bring about greater justice for all communities in Fresno. This year, he was recognized as one of Fresno\'s \"Unmasked Heroes\" for his work to fight for the underserved, marginalized, and unheard masses of the population. In 2017, his work was highlighted in a national campaign, which is still on display in Washington D.C, called \"Facing America\" that highlighted the work of those struggling to bring about justice and honor for all immigrant communities. Reza has been a strong advocate of social justice work and has worked at the local, state and national levels in fighting for immigration reform, housing justice issues, sanctuary law, reducing police violence and many other issues. In working to promote the faith of Islam, the work of the interfaith community, and to highlight the struggles of the marginalized, Reza\'s work and interviews have been featured in over 100 print and television stories, podcasts and documentaries. Among dozens of others are The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Miami Herald, Iqama Magazine, Islamic Horizons, and the powerful podcast \"Prophetic Resistance.\" Before serving as the Executive Director of the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno, Reza taught at an Islamic School, taught Islamic Studies in the Islamic Center, and co-founded a social services organization called S.A.J.A.D.(Social Activism, Justice, And Da\'awah).