About AIFD

The American Islamic Forum for Democracy’s (AIFD) mission is to advocate for the preservation of the founding principles of the United States Constitution, liberty and freedom, through the separation of mosque and state.

AIFD is the most prominent American Muslim organization directly confronting the ideology of political Islam and openly countering the common belief that the Muslim faith is inextricably rooted to the concept of the Islamic State (Islamism). We stand firmly for universal human rights – including gender equality, freedom of conscience, and freedom of speech and expression. Founded by Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, AIFD envisions a future wherein Muslims never feel a conflict between their personal faith and their commitment to individual liberty and freedom. Rather, we work to empower Muslims to be primary advocates for liberty and freedom.

meet our team

AIFD in action

AIFD is a Muslim-led organization working on the front lines for reform at all levels of the Muslim community – with the support of our non-Muslim allies. Our programs engage youth and adult leaders as advocates for liberty and universal human rights, and amplify Muslim voices in the media, challenging the Islamist stronghold on our community.

our programs

Building community,
challenging hate

AIFD was founded in the wake of the horrific attacks of 9/11, when a group of American Muslims recognized that it was time to amplify our individual voices as part of a collective to fight the ideology behind the attack that changed the world forever. AIFD is about strengthening the bonds between all people – Muslim and non-Muslim, religious and non-religious – who believe in the separation of mosque and state, who oppose both theocracy and secular fascism, and who stand for universal human rights. Ours is a Muslim-led initiative made possible with the work of like-minded Muslims and non-Muslim allies. AIFD’s mission is non-partisan, focused first in foremost on the foundational values of individual liberty, freedom of conscience, and reform within the “house of Islam.”

“God does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”

لَهُ مُعَقِّبَاتٌ مِّن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ يَحْفَظُونَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ ۗ وَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ سُوءًا فَلَا مَرَدَّ لَهُ ۚ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِ مِن وَالٍ

Quran 13:11

Speaking out in the face of hostility.

Muslims who seek change are uniquely positioned to create it – but also uniquely vulnerable to attack. At AIFD, we support dissident Muslims, expose the lobby which seeks to undermine individual liberty and human rights, and adapt quickly to a changing political landscape. We stand in staunch opposition to both theocracy and secular fascism, and are deeply committed to universal human rights and individual freedom.

Join the conversation

To achieve our mission we need your help: it is only together that we can push for frank and honest conversations about universal human rights, religious liberty, and the need for reform within the Muslim community.