Jaylani Hussein is a leading Minnesota civil rights advocate and the Executive Director of CAIR‑MN, the state’s primary Muslim civil rights and legal advocacy organization. He is recognized for his work confronting Islamophobia, advancing racial and social equity, and strengthening civic engagement across Minnesota. Under his leadership, CAIR‑MN has addressed hundreds of discrimination cases each year—ranging from employment bias and school bullying to hate crimes and unlawful profiling—while earning national recognition for its impact, including awards from the American Bar Association and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
Hussein’s career reflects deep community commitment: he previously served as CAIR‑MN’s outreach director, worked in community liaison and planning roles at Metro State University and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and founded Zeila Consultants to provide cross‑cultural training on East African cultures. He has also held leadership roles with organizations such as the Islamic Cultural Center of Minnesota, the Wilder Foundation, and ARAHA—traveling to the Horn of Africa to support humanitarian efforts during the 2011 Somali famine.
A sought‑after speaker on civil rights, diversity, and law enforcement accountability, Hussein regularly appears on local, national, and international media outlets including ABC News, CNN, NPR, and the BBC. His leadership continues to empower Minnesota’s Muslim community and inspire broader movements for justice, accountability, and mutual understanding.
The Bartling Scholarship 