Remembering Razan

Razan was hard-working, dedicated, compassionate, and comforting. Whether it be a painting of a dove on the Palestinian flag or her active involvement in her friendships, she always put her best effort in. Like Razan, we should put our best effort in the things important to us.

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Remembering Yusor

Yusor always put others’ needs above her own. She went to great lengths to help, traveling to Turkey to provide dental care to Syrian refugees and preparing meals for the homeless in Chapel Hill. Her name, derived from a verse in the Qur’an, means to bring about ease, and that is exactly what she did…

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Remembering Deah

When remembering Deah, we recall how kind, dedicated, and friendly he was. From his love of basketball to his commitment to friends, family, and religion, we understand how he always put others above himself. He was, above all else, a team player. We should also strive to be team players.

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We Are Hiring!

Our Three Winners Foundation (OTW) is a social justice organization based in Oakland, CA working to reduce prejudice towards American Muslims and marginalized communities by addressing implicit biases in individuals and institutions. The Foundation was founded after Deah Shaddy Barakat, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha (Our Three Winners) were killed in their Chapel Hill…

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Basima Sisemore

Basima Sisemore is a researcher for the Global Justice Program at the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society. Her research addresses issues related to Islamophobia, human rights, and exclusionary practices that disfranchise and other Muslims, immigrants, refugees, and communities of color.  Prior to joining the Haas Institute Basima was a Senior Program Specialist for…

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Elsadig Elsheikh

Elsadig Elsheikh is the Director of the Global Justice program at the Othering & Belonging Institute, where he oversees the program’s projects on food system, global equity, and human rights. Prior to the Othering & Belonging Institute, Elsadig led the international program at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Ohio State…

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Dr. Hatem Bazian

Hatem Bazian is a co-founder and Professor of Islamic Law and Theology at Zaytuna College, the 1st Accredited Muslim Liberal Arts College in the United States. In addition, Prof. Bazian is a lecturer in the Departments of Near Eastern and Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Bazian between…

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Dr. Maha Hilal

Dr. Maha Hilal is the inaugural Michael Ratner fellow with the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C.  She is also an organizer with Witness Against Torture and a steering committee member of the DC Justice for Muslims Coalition. Concurrent with these roles, Dr. Hilal is also a Co-Principle Investigator with the Torture Treatment Initiative out…

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Somayeh Nikooei

Somayeh serves as the Director of Operations at Our Three Winners Foundation. She started her position in August 2018. Prior to that, from 2009-2018, She was the Director of Operations at the Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF). She helped launch ISF and plays now a similar role at OTW. Somayeh has a B.A. in Architectural Design…

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Dr. Suzanne Barakat

Suzanne was born and raised in North Carolina, and attended UNC Chapel Hill for undergrad and medical school. She completed her residency training in the Department of Family & Community Medicine at UCSF San Francisco General Hospital. She is a practicing physician in Oakland, CA, and is passionate about women’s health, mental health, global health,…

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