At iACT, we are so grateful for our Board of Directors! In this Board Spotlight, Muna Hussaini tells us a little more about herself.
Q: Where are you from? How long have you lived in Austin?
A: Born in Pittsburgh, PA – my family is originally from Hyderabad, India. I’ve lived in Austin for 19 years and change.
How long have you served on the iACT Board?
3 years
What made you want to serve as an iACT Board Member?
iACT is about cultivating peace and respect through dialogue, service and celebration. What better mission is there, especially in these times?
What do you enjoy the most about your role as a Board Member of iACT?
I love knowing that I am part of something that brings the fabric of our city together. On any given day I feel helpless about the horrible things happening all over the world based on the news, and then I get to be part of the Red Bench where we bring disparate people together to have safe dialogue… this is exactly what’s needed to cultivate peace. And then I feel hope.
What’s the most challenging thing about working as a Board Member of iACT?
I wish I had more time, more money, more resources to pour into iACT’s mission! It’s a good problem to have!
What’s the most rewarding thing about being a Board Member of iACT?
iACT is changing lives and cultivating peace and respect in Central TX. The services iACT provides to the refugees who settle here are a balm, especially after what they have gone through before getting here. iACT provides a hand up, not a handout, with dignity and the support needed to achieve the American Dream! I hope that when I am in need, an organization like iACT will be there to help me through the tough times. And as a Muslim, my faith has been maligned and I can feel marginalized on good days. iACT helps me feel like my faith is my own and treats me and others with faith or who practice any spiritual/wisdom tradition that every human deserves dignity and respect. I want to be part of the world iACT is cultivating.
Why would you encourage others to support the work of iACT?
Have ya’ll been reading my responses?? jokes aside, in the Muslim tradition we have a saying that my parents raised me with… “whoever of you is witness to wrong-doing, let her change it with her actions, and if that is not possible, then address it through her words, and if that is not possible, then address it in her heart. and the third is the weakest of options in faith.” my faith calls me to action to live in a beautiful world for everyone.. and I would believe that this is true of every human, no matter their faith or belief.
