Hajj Reza Nekumanesh

Executive Director, Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno

About the Speaker

Hajj Reza has been serving the Muslim community in Fresno for more than 20 years. He is a strong advocate for social, racial, economic and environmental justice and inter and intra faith understanding and cooperation. In 2018, Reza was honored the “Way of Peace” award from the Fresno Center for Non-Violence for his work to bring about greater justice for all communities in Fresno. In 2019, he was recognized as one of Fresno’s “Unmasked Heroes” for his work to fight for the underserved, marginalized, and unheard masses of the population. In 2017, his work was highlighted in a national campaign, which is still on display in Washington D.C., called “Facing America” that highlighted the work of those struggling to bring about justice and honor for all immigrant communities.

A strong advocate of social justice, he has worked at the local, state and national levels in fighting for immigration reform, housing justice issues, sanctuary law, reducing police violence and many other issues.
In working to promote the faith of Islam, the work of the interfaith community, and to highlight the struggles of the marginalized, Reza’s work and interviews have been featured in over 100 print and television stories, podcasts and documentaries. Among dozens of others are The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Miami Herald, Iqama Magazine, Islamic Horizons, and the powerful podcast “Prophetic Resistance.”

Academic Achievement

• Certificate in Public Theology, American Baptist Seminary of the West/Graduate Theological Union (2019)
• M.A. Islamic Leadership, Bayan College of Claremont-Lincoln University (Inaugural Class) (2013)
• B.A. Philosophy & Religious Studies, California State University, Fresno (2002)

Affiliations (Past and Present)

• Board Member, Faith in the Valley FIC
• Chair, Clergy Caucus
• Board Member, Mayor’s Faith Based Cabinet
• Board Member, Human Rights Coalition of the Central Valley HRC
• Founding Board Member & Secretary, Central Valley Islamic Council (CVIC)
• Member, Shi’a Muslim Council of Southern Ca. SMC
• Member, Homeless Summit of the Bishop Steinbock Committee
• Member, Police Chief’s Advisory Council
• Member, Hate Crimes Task Force
• Co-Founder, S.A.J.A.D. (Social Action Justice and Da’wah)
• Served as member of the Executive Search Committee for Faith in Action/PICO National
• Member, Interfaith Scholar Weekend