Lily McNulty
Outreach Intern - Fall 2021
Lily is a rising senior at DePaul University majoring in Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies and minoring in History. She grew up in Oak Park and currently lives in Chicago. Although Lily is not set on a specific career path, she is interested in social justice and advocacy. She joined CAIR-Chicago as an outreach intern to educate herself and help defend human rights. In her free time, Lily enjoys reading graphic novels and playing with her dogs.
Sara Hubaishi
Law Clerk - Fall 2021
Sara is a student at Washington University in St. Louis, where she serves as a member of the Honor Council and an Executive Editor of the Washington University Law Review. Sara graduated from Brenau University Woman College in 2017 with a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts, with an English and History concentration. She later attended Brenau University for a Master's degree in Communication and Media Studies, writing her thesis on media representation of Arab terrorists versus White terrorists. Sara is originally from Toronto, Canada, but spent half her life in Atlanta, Georgia. Sara is interested in advocating for religious minorities and wants to give back to her community. She is excited to work with CAIR-Chicago in the Civil Rights Department to make a difference.
Adam Beasely
Communications Intern - Fall 2021
Adam is a senior General Studies major with a minor in Visual Arts at SUNY at Old Westbury. He started interning at CAIR-Chicago because he’s very interested in human and civil rights for all people, especially Muslims because of the discrimination they received after 2001. Adam joined the Communications Department because he has a penchant for drawing, making videos, and writing scripts.
Luke Asen
Communications Intern - Fall 2021
Luke is a barista and a Communications student at ASU Online who graduates in December. Luke is an advocate for Social Justice around the world and has been interested in interning at an organization that helps the marginalized communities in his country. Having been a longtime admirer of CAIR-Chicago, Luke is excited to work for an organization that helps others and hopes to gain knowledge of Muslim American culture in America. When Luke isn't at work or doing school, he likes to ride his bike and shoot film photography
Gurpreet Basra
Government Affairs Intern - Fall 2021
Gurpreet is a Master’s student, born and raised in Scotland, hoping to grow and learn more about herself and communities which she will be engaging with during her time at CAIR- Chicago, with the aim at making real difference within the Muslim American community. Further on in her career, she hopes to work within civil and human rights activism, with her focus relating to human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women and girls. Her background further includes experience working within women’s aid, specifically relating issues pertaining to MBE communities within Scotland, and rights fair and accessible housing within New York City. She has a background in law, politics, and international human rights, having recently graduated from the University of London. She has a strong interest in history, photography and reading in her spare time. She loves to travel and is also a great lover of architecture and has come to really appreciate the architectural beauty within Chicago.
Ali Tabassum
Government Affairs Intern - Fall 2021
Ali is a Junior Political Science major at the University of South Carolina Honors College. On campus, he is involved in student government where he serves as a Student Senator, the Garnet & Black Magazine where he is an articles writer, and in the University Ambassadors program. Ali is interested in pursuing law as a career and hopes to attend Law school after graduation. While also being interested in policy research and Muslim advocacy/representation, Ali believes that the Government Affairs Internship will provide him with a good foundation in these respective areas. In his free time, Ali enjoys traveling, watching anything Marvel and Anime related, and reading.
Abdul-Wasay Shahid
Law Clerk - Summer 2021
Abdul-Wasay Shahid is currently a third year law student at DePaul University College of Law pursuing a dual degree (JD & LLM in International Law). He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from UC Berkeley. Abdul is interested in becoming a international human rights lawyer post graduation and believes that interning with CAIR Chicago will give him the necessary experience to accomplish his goals. He has a keen interest in advocating for marginalized groups and hopes to work in Pakistan in the future.
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Jacob “Kobi” Russell
Communications Intern - Summer 2021
Kobi is a rising junior at Brandeis University studying International and Global Studies. He joined CAIR-Chicago because he is inspired by their mission to empower Muslims in the United States and in Chicago - a group that needs as much support and increased awareness as ever. He’s hoping to grow his social media and communications skills in an environment that fits his passions! He is keen on making a difference in US and International politics - mainly as it relates to the Middle East and its people, cultures, and religions. He also wants to build on his basic understanding of Hebrew and Arabic. Mainly, he wants to connect with those who want to lead the fight for equality and equity for all. In his free time, he enjoys singing & poetry, rock climbing, and kung fu.
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Hana Khan
Government Affairs Intern - Summer 2021
Hana is originally from London, England, Hana is now a rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At UNC-Chapel Hill, Hana is double majoring in History (concentrating in Africa, Asia and the Middle East) and Political Science. Outside of the classroom, she has served as the Co-President of Students for Justice in Palestine, a Staff Contributor for the Carolina Political Review (a non-partisan political journal), and as a Co-Founder and the Director of Political and Educational Initiatives at the UNC-CH Pakistan Society. Hana is interested in pursuing a career in human and civil rights research, and she believes the Government Affairs Intern position at CAIR-Chicago will help prepare her for this. In her free time, Hana enjoys travelling, working out, and reading.
Sergio Bardesi-Texocotitla
Communications Intern - Summer 2021
Sergio is a native to the Chicago suburbs, and is currently a rising senior at Lake Forest College. He is majoring in religious studies with a minor in sociology and anthropology. After graduating, he plans on pursuing a career in journalism with a focus on ethnic and religious issues in America. Sergio joined CAIR-Chicago because of the work that CAIR has done nationally and locally in order to improve the representation of Muslims. He aims to hone his journalistic, social media, and photography skills while furthering CAIR’s mission of defending civil rights, fighting bigotry, and promoting tolerance. During his free time, Sergio enjoys writing fiction and poetry, reading thrillers, improving his Spanish, and working out.
Karina Oye
Research Intern - Summer 2021
Karina just graduated from UIC, with majors in Biology and Psychology and a minor in Disability and Human Development. She is going on to obtain a Masters of Public Health degree at UIC. Following this, she hopes to go onto medical school. Karina joined CAIR as an intern in order to help fight against discrimination and bias that is so prevalent and normalized in the media today. She spends her free time volunteering as a Sunday school teacher at Masjid al-Huda and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children in the Chicagoland area. She also likes working out and spending time with her cat.
Mallory Aldrich
Outreach Intern - Summer 2021
Mallory is from Oxford Michigan, and is a rising senior at Lake Forest College majoring in Environmental studies and minoring in Legal studies! Before attending Lake Forest College, she was homeschooled and took a few classes at Oakland Community College. She decided to join CAIR Chicago because civil rights are incredibly important, and everyone deserves them. The work that CAIR is doing throughout many different communities is not only essential but inspiring. In her free time she loves to dance, sing, go hiking and spend time in nature. She’s also a big fan of coffee shops and love to hang out at them with friends or to do work! She is incredibly excited to work with CAIR and learn from so many incredible people.
Amya J. Quillin
Outreach Intern - Summer 2021
Amya is a Chicago native. She is currently a senior at Lake Forest College studying Biology, Sociology, and Anthropology. While she has not settled on a definitive career path, she is interested in public health law and policy. Her hope is to improve access to healthcare and fight systematic injustices. She joined CAIR-Chicago help to amplify minority voices and support the fight for justice and equality in her hometown. In her free time, Amya enjoys working out and exploring different cultures through art, music, and dance.
Lily McNulty
Outreach Intern - Summer 2021
Lily is a rising senior at DePaul University majoring in Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies and minoring in History. She grew up in Oak Park and currently lives in Chicago. Although Lily is not set on a specific career path, she is interested in social justice and advocacy. She joined CAIR-Chicago as an outreach intern to educate herself and help defend human rights. In her free time, Lily enjoys reading graphic novels and playing with her dogs.
Joshua Davis
Government Affairs Intern - Summer 2021
Joshua Davis is from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This fall he will begin his Master of Public Policy program at the University of Chicago’s Harris School for Public Policy. Joshua graduated summa cum laude from Oklahoma City University with majors in political science, philosophy, and a minor in economics. Joshua was previously a government affairs intern at the Oklahoma City chapter, and he joined CAIR to be an ally for the Muslim community and promote interfaith dialogue. He spends his free time reading, brewing coffee, and volunteering as a literacy tutor.
Veli Aydoner
Government Affairs Intern - Summer 2021
Veli is currently a Senior at the University of South Florida, studying political science with a minor in history. At the University of South Florida, Veli has engaged with the school’s Speech, Debate and Ethics teams. There, he has become the Florida state champion in extemporaneous political speaking, received a gold medal in a national tournament for extemporaneous political speaking, and placed first in an international business ethics competition. Growing up as a Muslim American in Bloomington, IL, Veli became inspired by CAIR-Chicago's efforts and accomplishments amongst the Muslim American community. Veli joined CAIR-Chicago because he wants to further those efforts by increasing the strength of the Muslim community in political discourse. In his spare time, Veli enjoys watching soccer with his family and friends, where he cheers on his favorite teams of Fenerbahce and Manchester City.
Margaret “Molly” Kirsh
Civil Rights Legal Intern - Summer 2021
Molly is a rising 2L at UIC School of Law where she is a member of the Estate Planning Student Society. Molly graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2018 with degrees in Global Studies with a concentration in Human Rights and in Spanish. Molly worked as a law clerk in in immigration law and family law prior to beginning law school. She also worked as a canvasser for Amnesty International’s I Welcome Refugees campaign. Molly began work at CAIR-Chicago because she believes in creating a more equitable and just world. Molly is a Chicagoland native. In her free time, she can be found cooking, reading, and enjoying Chicago’s restaurants, museums, and parks.
Sabah Lokhandwala
Government Affairs Intern - Summer 2021
Sabah is a rising sophomore at Tufts studying International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies originally from the suburbs of Chicago. She intends to pursue a career in law and/or foreign policy and hopes to understand how U.S. foreign policy mechanisms impact minority groups in the United States. Sabah joined CAIR-Chicago to gain a broader understanding about the legal struggles Muslim folks face in Illinois. Outside of school and work, Sabah loves to read, write, and bake.
Nezar Kamar
Government Affairs Intern - Winter/Spring 2021
Nezar is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. He moved to Chicago in Fall 2017 to study Political Science at DePaul University. While he has not settled on a definitive career path, he is interested in civil rights, international relations, and Middle Eastern politics. He joined CAIR to help the fight against discrimination of Muslims and Arab people in the United States. In his free time, Nezar enjoys music, exercise, reading, and studying Arabic language. He spent his summer working with Feed Louisville, an organization that works to feed the houseless population. After graduating, he hopes to move to the Middle East.
Ammar Hussain
Government Affairs Intern - Winter/Spring 2021
Ammar is currently a freshman at Georgetown University in the School of Foreign Service, where he intends to pursue a B.S. in Business and Global Affairs. At Georgetown, he works for Hilltop Consultants and is involved in the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA). Ammar grew up in the Greater Chicago area, graduating summa cum laude from Hinsdale Central High School, where he was a Varsity thrower for the Track and Field team and led the school’s Model UN team and MSA. While he isn’t sure about his career path yet, Ammar is interested in international relations, business, and domestic politics. Ammar joined CAIR because he wants to help defend the civil rights and liberties of Muslims in his native Chicago area and around the United States. In his free time, Ammar loves music, lifting weights, and playing/watching sports.
Karina Oye
Research Intern -Winter/Spring 2021
Karina is currently a senior at UIC, studying Biology and Psychology, with a minor in Disability and Human Development. She hopes to go onto medical school after graduation. Karina joined CAIR as an intern in order to help fight against discrimination and bias that is so prevalent and normalized in the media today. She spends her free time volunteering as a Sunday school teacher and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children in the Chicagoland area. She also likes working out and spending time with her cat.
Abby Ponder
Government Affairs Intern - Winter/Spring 2021
Abby, 21, is native to Winnebago, Illinois. Throughout her upbringing she knew within her future career path she wanted to be able to help people and make a positive difference. Although her future isn’t certain Abby knows she wants to move on to law school to eventually become an attorney. Civil rights and advocacy has had a massive influence on the direction that she has taken for her future career. The opportunity to intern at CAIR-Chicago is Abby’s first step toward applying her education and interests into real world application. She is overjoyed by the opportunity to work with CAIR during their winter/spring term as a Government Affairs intern.
Evan Swanson
Outreach Intern - Winter/Spring 2021
Evan is a student at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Now a senior, he will be graduating in the Spring with a Major in History and Minors in Religion and Spanish. Graduating with Honors in high school and achieving Dean’s List at Coe College, he plans to continue his education post-graduation. Evan, a Rockford, IL native, joined CAIR for his shared desire to sow seeds of unity and accord in his state and country. He is working in the Outreach department, hoping not just to better educate others, but to better educate himself. In his spare time, Evan enjoys learning about history and linguistics, as well as enjoying the great outdoors (Midwestern weather permitting).
Lauren Sabetta
Communications Intern - Winter/Spring 2021
Lauren is a recent graduate of Appalachian State University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism. Before graduating from Appalachian State, she studied journalism and public relations at Georgia State University. Lauren joined CAIR, because she understands the importance of advocating for civil rights, social justice and a more equitable society. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her daughter, hiking in the mountains (when weather permits) and gardening.
Masooma Haider
Civil Rights Intern – Winter/Spring 2021
Masooma grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, and moved to Chicago her junior year of high school. She graduated summa cum laude from UIC in 2019 with bachelor’s degrees in both political science and biology. Before coming to CAIR, Masooma completed her master’s from the University of Chicago’s Social Sciences Division, where she wrote a thesis on Muslim American identity formation and a new wave of Muslim American civic participation. She joined CAIR because of her shared commitment in fighting against the discrimination of Muslims and other minorities in the US. Her professional interests include civil and human rights, minority studies, health equity, and social justice. She is actively involved in her Muslim community, and enjoys mentoring young people along their careers. In her free time, she can be found traveling to new cities, baking, volunteering, or running her food blog with her friends.
Megan Osadzinski
Civil Rights Intern - Winter/Spring 2021
Megan is a 2L at DePaul University College of Law, where she serves on the Executive Board of the DePaul National Lawyers Guild chapter. Megan graduated summa cum laude from DePaul University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies. She is also fluent in Polish, Russian, and Spanish. Prior to law school, she worked as a paralegal at the National Immigrant Justice Center providing direct legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children, and has interned at Legal Council for Health Justice and Beyond Legal Aid. Megan joined CAIR-Chicago because she is passionate about protecting civil liberties, advancing immigrant justice, and engaging in community-based lawyering. In her free time, she enjoys keeping up with language learning and making dumplings.