Get Involved

Are you interested in promoting civil rights, civic engagement, and interfaith understanding? Do you have experience in international relations, intercultural studies, or civil rights program management?

We are always looking for passionate, qualified candidates to join our staff. Open positions are listed on the Careers page. Unfortunately, due to limited time and resources, we only accept applications for open positions and we cannot respond to every application received.

AIC and Project Nur have a strong and long-standing internship program in the Washington, D.C. and Boston areas. Several of our student interns have gone on to become full-time staff at AIC or taken positions with non-profits, public policy institutions, and the U.S. government. To inquire about available internships, please email info@aicongress.org.

The American Islamic Congress is proud to present annual contests to engage the minds and talents of youth in the U.S. and abroad.

Essay Contest
The “Dream Deferred” Essay Contest on Civil Rights in the Middle East

Launched in 2005, this annual contest inspires young thinkers to share their dream deferred for the Middle East civil rights movement. With $10,000 in awards as well as 50 book prizes, the contest provides incentive for young Middle Easterners to express liberal ideas – and at the same time serves as a recruiting mechanism to identify emerging leaders. Indeed, past contest winners have gone on to play important roles in the “Arab Spring” and other grassroots efforts for individual rights. Outstanding essays from the first five years of the contest are collected in the anthology “Arab Spring Dreams” (Palgrave-Macmillan), featuring a foreword by Gloria Steinem and an afterword by Nobel Leaurate Lech Walesa.

Film Contest
“From the Eyes to the Heart” Film Contest

A polite Arabic expression of thanks translates literally as “I show my appreciation by focusing my eyes upon you.” The phrase reflects a classic Middle Eastern concept that truths of the heart can be expressed by the focus of one’s eyes – and conversely that the eyes are the gateway to the heart. This nexus between sight and sincerity inspires this annual contest, which encourages young Middle Easterners to investigate key aspects of moral character through the creation of short films. Some viral videos have made a profound impact on young Middle Easterners’ perceptions of character – but these are suicide bombers’ glorifications of hatred and “martyrdom.” By offering $20,000 in prizes and film festival venues, the contest cultivates a new brand of short films that deepen appreciation of humility, curiosity, entrepreneurialism, future-mindedness, and diligence.
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If your organization or event is interested in partnering with the American Islamic Congress or establishing a co-sponsorship, please contact us at (202) 595-3160 or email info@aicongress.org.

AIC is open to and interested in establishing relationships with organizations and institutions that share in our mission and principles based on interfaith understanding and civil rights.