Muslim Public Affairs Council

Program: Human Rights Major or Concentration

Name of Organization: Muslim Public Affairs Council

Website of Organization: https://www.mpac.org/

City:  DC

Country: United States

Start Date of Internship: Monday, June 2, 2025

End Date of Internship: Thursday, July 31, 2025

Duration of Internship: 2 months

Average Number of Hours Worked Per Week: 30

Position Title: Tasneem Fatima Khan Research Fellow

Type of Position: Stipend

How did you find this internship?

Online Search

Briefly describe the organization

Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) is a national public affairs nonprofit organization working to promote and strengthen American pluralism by increasing understanding and improving policies that impact American Muslims. Over the past 30+ years, MPAC has built a reputation of being a dynamic and trusted American Muslim voice for policymakers, opinion shapers, and community organizers across the country.

Key Responsibilities & Outputs

-Drafted meeting memos and assisted in Hill meetings to advocate for evidence-based policy changes in offices and national security,

-Conducted in-depth research on Kashmir’s civil rights issues and synthesize findings into persuasive Op-Eds and policy briefs,

-Produced a publishable research paper offering innovative solutions on policy challenges facing Kashmiris

Challenges

I had to alter my intended research paper for the summer in the middle of the internship. Moreover I had to change the topic of my paper focusing on a different continent than I was intending to.

What skills or prior experience helped you obtain this internship?

My prior skills in the research field and my study of human rights and policy inspired me to apply my skills to this research internship.

What skills or prior experience helped you succeed in this position?

My skills of time management and seeking feedback from colleagues in the workplace allowed me to heard different opinions and be able to foster my own original research paper.

In what ways did this experience provide you with insights into your professional strengths and weaknesses?

I realized for research fellowships I had great and diverse ideas, however to conduct it all under one month after having to change my topic was difficult to work with.

How did this internship relate to your human rights studies and career goals?

My long-term objective is to work for an international NGO and study for a degree in international law. Therefore through interning with MPAC, I have been able to gain real-world experience in Kashmiri women's advocacy and gain a stronger understanding of the difficulties minority groups face, which connects with both my educational goals and my professional ambitions at Columbia.

I Would Recommend This Internship

Agree

Did this internship directly or indirectly lead to subsequent professional opportunities?

Yes

If yes, how did it lead to professional opportunities?

In DC I was invited to private networking events, that allowed me to make greater connection in the DC area.

After Completing This Internship, Have You Subsequently Held a Position with This Organization?

No